“The worrying trend is that volunteer numbers are decreasing across all sectors. Sport Whanganui regularly hears from clubs and organisations that recruiting and managing volunteers is one of their most pressing challenges.”
This Volunteer Week (June 18-24), Sport Whanganui is getting behind Volunteering New Zealand’s campaign to acknowledge and thank the volunteers who power our local sports clubs and schools.
“Our day-to-day role is to support clubs with their planning and strategies, to be better prepared for a changing volunteer landscape. During Volunteer Week we’re excited to share some local stories that will hopefully show that there are amazing opportunities out there for everyone, young and not-so-young, to give back to the clubs and organisations that have supported them” says Paula.
“What we’ve heard from young people, in particular, is that sometimes all they need as a prompt is just to be asked. So, our message to clubs looking for volunteers is just that – don’t be afraid to reach out and ask!”
Amy Davidson, 14, and Thomas Dwyer, 15, from Whanganui High School are great examples of young people giving back to their sport, in this case, hockey. Amy was introduced to hockey umpiring last year through a call-out for volunteers on Facebook, and Thomas was asked to help out by a member of the Hockey Wanganui committee. Both are among a group of more than 20 young people aged 10-16 who are now part of a flourishing junior umpire programme.
“I volunteer because I find enjoyment in teaching youth players and enjoy spending my free time at the turf,” says Amy.
“For people who want to start volunteering honestly I would say go for it, do something you enjoy, and just remember what goes around comes around.”
Danny Jonas, Sport Whanganui chief executive, says there are many ways to make a difference, and it’s all appreciated.
“Sport and recreation as a sector simply wouldn’t exist without volunteers. Recognising and thanking our volunteers is a small thing we can all do, to let them know how much we appreciate their time, energy, and skills. We couldn’t do it without them.
“We encourage everyone to think about the people who have helped them get to where they are – coaches, umpires, administrators, officials, anyone – and give them a shoutout this Volunteer Week.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with local sports clubs or events is welcome to contact Paula Darlington for a chat on 021 272 7100 or email paula@sportwhanganui.co.nz.
- According to Volunteering New Zealand, approximately one in five New Zealanders, or 21.5 per cent of us, undertake volunteer work, with the value of formal volunteering estimated to be at $4 billion per annum. When casual and short-term volunteering is included in that measure, rates of participation are significantly higher, increasing to 50.7 per cent of those aged 15 and over.
The culture, sport, and recreation sector accounts for the largest cluster of community organisations that we volunteer for; in roles as diverse as volunteer school sports coaches and regional tramping clubs to Māori waiata groups.
Volunteering Statistics - Volunteering New Zealand (volunteeringnz.org.nz)
