20% of New Zealand adults volunteer in sport

A new report shows that 20% of New Zealand adults volunteer in sport with men, 16 to 24 years olds, high income earners and non-New Zealand born Europeans making up the groups who volunteer most.

The report by sport consulting and research firm Gemba, on behalf of Sport New Zealand, found the recruitment of sporting volunteers at an early age - between the ages of 16 to 24 years - is critical.

They found sport volunteers are also participants of their respective sports with, on average, 54% of sports volunteers have participated in that sport in the last 12 months.

Those participating in the sport were also found to be the most effective and helpful in driving sustainable levels of volunteers.

The report also identified that the motivations of volunteers as being selfless, advising that volunteers “serve for the enjoyment achieved from giving back to their community and/or sport, and care little about the rewards they receive in return.

“The majority of participants intend to continue volunteering, and could be incentivised by more training and development, and better support from clubs and parents.

“The intrinsic rewards (doing something worthwhile and contributing to their community) that motivate volunteers mean that their rationale for giving up volunteering are due to time restraints or other commitments, rather than a lack of appreciation.”

This report employs data collected via the GEMBA sports and entertainment report (GSER) to provide insights about New Zealand sport and recreation volunteers.

A range of topics are explored including volunteering roles, frequency and length of volunteering, intention to continue volunteering, motivations, and volunteer development.

Click here to view the full report, Sport New Zealand: Volunteering Insights Report, in the Sport and Recreation Knowledge Library.

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