At a sports club, young people aren’t just players: they’re the club’s future. And their involvement often goes well beyond turning up to train. So when you trust young volunteers in sport and give them a genuine role, their volunteering becomes a powerful driver of team spirit, energy and continuity.
Young volunteers in sport: an engine for the club
Giving young people responsibility is much more than a token gesture: it’s a strategic decision. A club that involves its youngsters in the running of the club gains energy, ideas and a more modern outlook.
Besides, they bring a fresh perspective: social media, digital communication, organising events… all areas where they tend to be naturally at home.
Good to know: volunteering at a sports club (for example helping to coach a younger age group) can count towards the Volunteering section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It’s a great way to encourage teenagers to get involved.
Trusting them means preparing the next generation
In fact, young volunteers learn fast. Giving them clear tasks, such as helping with coaching, logistics, communication or refereeing, lets them develop independence and a sense of responsibility.
It’s also a way of stopping them drifting away from the club: when they feel useful and appreciated, they get more involved and stick around for longer.
That trust creates a virtuous circle:
- Young people feel valued.
- The club gains new skills.
- The atmosphere becomes more collaborative and motivating.
Recognising young sports volunteers is the club’s job
Recognising the commitment of young volunteers is essential. For instance, that can mean a public thank you, a certificate or a reference, or featuring them in the club’s communications.
A club sticker album, for example, can become a symbolic way to shine a light on these young people who help run the club. Being “in the album” for something other than your performances on the pitch (for your role in organising, communicating or coaching) is something to be genuinely proud of.
Good to know: in football, the free online EE Playmaker course from England Football is open to anyone aged 14 and over (14- and 15-year-olds sign up through a parent or guardian’s account). It’s an ideal first step for a teenager who wants to help out alongside a qualified coach.
An impact that goes beyond sport
Encouraging young volunteers also helps them build values for life. Teamwork, solidarity, perseverance: everything they learn at the club will stay with them long after they’ve left the pitch.
And for the club, it guarantees continuity: a new generation that’s already trained and attached to the club’s spirit.
In a nutshell
Young volunteers are an often-underestimated strength. By giving them responsibility and recognising their efforts, clubs create a virtuous circle where everyone finds their place, their role and a real pride in belonging.
