Enthusiasm expected; experience not essential: New Zealand sporting event organisers and the volunteer workforce

Joany Grima

2014

Joany Grima

Senior Lecturer – Event Management

Wellington Institute of Technology

Joany.Grima@weltec.ac.nz

Keywords: Sport, volunteers, volunteer management, event organisers

This study examines the impact of volunteers on the delivery of New Zealand sporting events and the management of the unpaid workforce. Participants were organisers of New Zealand sporting events delivered between 2009 and 2013 that included volunteers pre-event, during the event or post-event.

The results of this research show that volunteers are highly valued by event organisers, are treated considerately and are central to the successful delivery of sporting events in New Zealand, regardless of size or scope. The impact of volunteers on the delivery of sporting events was found to be significant; highlighting the possibility that many events would be at risk of not being staged without the volunteer support they have come to depend on.

Challenges of the volunteer workforce include recruitment, availability and lack of experience, while the energy, commitment and motivation they bring to the event are considered strengths of the volunteer workforce. Implications for event organisers found by the study include scope to professionalise their approach to volunteer management, particularly in relation to risk management, training, communication and the implementation of volunteer management policies and procedures.

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Quantitative

Wellington

Report

Events, Sport

Management, Volunteers

1783

December 17, 2014