The benefits of being involved in sport are far-reaching. For participants, research shows that sport is a form of recreation that makes us happier, healthier people. At a community level, we know sport is a great connector.
Sport encourages us to feel included and supported; it can give us a sense of belonging, and help us to feel proud of our community. For the committed armies of volunteer administrators, managers, coaches, and helpers within our schools, clubs, and youth sport organisations – the people who serve and support community sport and recreation at every level – these factors are super important. And, in these uncertain times, it is worth pausing to recognise, promote, and celebrate this.
Tony Philp, New Zealand Rugby’s High Performance Sevens Manager, puts it well: “Sport helps our communities come together to connect, communicate, and care.” Adults often volunteer for the personal fulfilment and the enrichment they gain from being part of a community beyond their homes and workplaces.
In difficult times, volunteering within sports clubs and organisations becomes a source of well-being akin to other forms of recreation, especially if volunteers have lost jobs, are dealing with loss, or are struggling with the challenges of a changing environment. Volunteering offers them contact with the outside world while enabling them to serve their community. They become part of the team. It may not be their initial aim, but, by helping to sustain invaluable forms of community sport and recreation, these committed volunteers also support themselves.
While kids benefit greatly from youth sport, it’s also huge for our network of community teams, clubs, organisations, and volunteers. “Connecting to our community is critical to the health and mental well-being of our society, especially in times of uncertainty,” says Tony. “Connecting through sport provides all people – players, coaches, administrators, and volunteers – with a sense of identity, gratitude, belonging, and even joy. People need that self-fulfilment, pride, and connection.”
Tony’s comments align with the Value of Sport study – the results of which state that being physically active creates happier, healthier people, better connected communities, and a stronger New Zealand. In fact, 88 percent of respondents believe that sport and other physical activities provide them with opportunities to achieve and help them build confidence; 84 percent believe sport and physical activity bring people together and create a sense of belonging; and 74 percent say that sport and physical activity help to promote vibrant and stimulating communities.
As Tony says, the theme that keeps recurring is the importance of connection. “Connection also provides opportunities for people to help each other out, whether on a personal level, such as “how are you?”, or a professional level. It opens up connections to areas that may help with personal circumstances, such as job opportunities, and gives people the ability to have conversations with others about their challenges – which will no doubt help in the long run.”
The flow-on from connection is massive for our communities to care for each other again, he says: “If anything, COVID-19 has reinforced to people the importance of volunteering their time within their community, in order to help with their mental well-being. Contributing to something like community sport helps them know that they still have value and worth.”
Sport is a form of recreation renowned for boosting well-being; there is the endorphin buzz from exercise, as well as that sense of pride for achieving something. It enables people to feel a sense of belonging and, in some cases, provides them with a ‘safe’ environment to be themselves. It also helps us to grow resilience when times are tough – for example, when losing a game, not getting picked for something, being injured, or working out how to overcome difficult challenges – that many other types of recreation do not.
There is no doubt that community sport creates a culture that helps to grow people’s identity, sense of belonging, and connection to their community. “It really does help people to feel like they are contributing to something bigger than themselves, and allows them to have a sense of pride and gratitude for making a difference to others and the community,” says Tony. It’s also worth noting that, given the funding that many youth clubs and organisations have access to, a significant number of community sport and recreation opportunities are dependent upon the support of volunteers.
Netball Wellington’s Sue Geale says that, if we take that away, some community volunteers would also find it difficult and feel isolated. “They would be worried about their physical well-being. And, mentally, not having that contact with the group that they normally experience each week could have a real negative impact.”
According to Geal, being involved in sport and recreation doesn’t only keep community volunteers physically and mentally active; the feeling of giving support to others provides them with them a real lift. “It gives them a sense of purpose and a feeling of being valued. Being around youth sport can also help the adult feel younger and more energetic, and they can find it rewarding to see others grow and develop. By working with a club or team, and helping kids to stay involved in sport, our volunteers can also feel as though they’re keeping kids them busy, off the street, and out of trouble. It’s a win-win.”
We believe the top six benefits for community volunteers involved in youth sport are:
- Building connection and networks within your community
- Personal pride and satisfaction from making a difference in kids’ lives
- A sense of safety, belonging, and community
- Gratitude
- Helping to grow resilience
- Volunteering in the community is energising, fun, rewarding, and challenging!
More:
Read about Sport NZ’s Value of Sport study.
Image Credits: Robert Collins on Unsplash