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The value of volunteering
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The value of volunteering

Volunteering is an important part of personal and professional development, especially for students. In the sport and physical activity sector, volunteering offers unique benefits that can shape your future career and personal growth.

A group of children and two coaches talking together by an athletics track outside Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham, North East England.

Whether you’re passionate about coaching, event management or fitness instruction, volunteering provides invaluable experiences that can set you apart in a competitive field. If you’re not sure what area of the sector you’re most interested in, volunteering is also a great way of seeing if a role is a good fit before committing.

Key benefits of volunteering

Skill development

Volunteering in sport and physical activity environments allows you to develop essential skills:

Leadership

Leading teams, organising activities and managing events.

Communication

Interacting with participants, colleagues and stakeholders.

Teamwork

Collaborating with others to achieve common goals.

Problem-solving

Handling unexpected challenges and finding solutions.

Time management

Balancing volunteer duties with academic and personal responsibilities.

Networking opportunities

Volunteering opens doors to connect with professionals in the sport and physical activity sector. Building a network can lead to a range of great opportunities:

Mentorship

Guidance from experienced professionals who can offer career advice.

Job opportunities

Connections that may lead to internships or job offers.

Professional relationships

Long-term relationships that can support your career growth.

Real-world learning

Volunteering in sport and physical activity can provide you with useful knowledge to help shape your future career:

Practical experience

Gain hands-on experience is crucial for students. When volunteering, you can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

Insight into career paths

Understand different roles and career options within the sector.

CV enhancement

Add relevant experience that can demonstrate your skills and knowledge to future employers.

Personal growth

Beyond professional benefits, volunteering fosters personal development:

Confidence

Build self-esteem through successful volunteer experiences.

Empathy

Understand and support diverse groups of people.

Community engagement

Feel connected and contribute to the wellbeing of your community.

How to get started

Be prepared

Plan

If you can, plan ahead and give yourself time to look for opportunities, apply and get the most out of volunteering when you are able and ready to start. Consider whether a regular volunteering role or a one-off event would be most suitable for you.

Polish

Use our guidance to get your CV polished and ready you impress. Even for unpaid roles, organisations want to know that you’ll be a good fit for their team.

Profile

If you’re not sure how to connect with sport and physical activity professionals. LinkedIn can be a good place to start. Creating a profile and posting about your interest in volunteering in the sector allows people and organisations to find you, and you can also explore what other people in the sector are doing and roles they work in.

Making the most of your volunteering

To really benefit from your volunteering experience, it’s important to keep a few key actions in mind from the start:

Set clear goals

Determine what you want to achieve through volunteering to guide your decisions.

Be proactive

Take initiative and seek out responsibilities that align with your interests.

Reflect on experiences

Regularly assess what you’ve learned and how it applies to your career aspirations.

Stay committed

Being consistently reliable and dedicated are key to making a positive impact.

Finding volunteer opportunities

There are plenty of organisations that rely on volunteers for support in their sport and physical activity services, offering a wide range of opportunities to get involved:

Local sports clubs and organisations

Many local clubs and Active Partnerships need volunteers for coaching, event planning and administrative tasks.

National bodies

Many national governing bodies for sports and other large-scale sporting organisations offer volunteer roles. Keep an eye on their websites and LinkedIn pages to see when they have opportunities available.

Schools, colleges and universities

If you’re a student, check with your institution for opportunities related to physical education programmes and campus events.

Non-profit organisations

Groups focused on health, fitness and community sports often seek dedicated volunteers.

Events

If you’re looking for one-off volunteering options, a sporting event might suit you best. From the Commonwealth Games to Parkrun and everything in between, there are events of all shapes and sizes that are supported by volunteers. Look for what might be coming up in your local area.