The children’s sport participation and physical activity study (CSPPA study) - volunteer study

The Volunteer Study is part of the Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study (CSPPA), a unique multi-centre study undertaken by University College Cork, University of Limerick and Dublin City University on behalf of the Irish Sports Council. It brought together expertise from sport and coaching studies, physical education and physical activity for health. The purpose of the study was to provide insight into issues surrounding volunteering in sports and activity clubs in a child and youth context. Volunteers play a pivotal role in community sport and physical activity programmes, and their engagement with children and youth influences the potential for lifelong physical activity participation and consequently the current and future health profiles of this population. This study contributes to the understanding and promotion of best practice in these contexts; it also explores strategies for engaging and supporting volunteers and sport organisations in their roles. This study builds upon previous research conducted in the Irish context that draws attention to the role, experience and contribution that volunteers make to Irish sport (Delaney & Fahey, 2005; Maleney, 2007). Some caution must be noted in making a direct comparison with previous research due to differences in methodology and sample selection. Volunteer administrators and volunteers responsible for providing sporting opportunities to 4-18 year olds in a variety sports and physical activity programmes across the Republic of Ireland were electronically surveyed and a sub-sample were interviewed in order to gain a richer understanding of their motivations, needs and capacities.