The role of student volunteers
Student volunteers are integral to the success of student sport! With more than 200 Scottish Student Sport volunteers, and over 5,000 across student sport nationally, volunteers are the backbone of student sport in Scotland.
Officials, club committees, development group members, event organisers and a whole host of other volunteers, both student and non-student, make student sport happen. Every week a legion of volunteers descend to playing venues to set up and deliver sporting activity, ensuring the smooth planning and execution that students in Scotland expect and deserve. For example, the Scottish Student Sport (SSS) development groups, all volunteer led, are charged with the delivery of events and leagues, ensuring that there is ample competition for students to take part in and that it all runs smoothly.
Volunteers in the network are also at the forefront of professional and social development as well, advising their Colleges, Universities and SSS on the values and developments that the student membership are deeply passionate about. This allows the Scottish Student Sport network to ensure members are provided with opportunities for competition, development and recreational sport, all delivered by passionate volunteers that care about the issues close to them.
Volunteers ensure student sport thrives, as students and student clubs are actively engaged in community outreach and coaching at local clubs, in schools and national competition and in Active Schools and other community settings.
Getting involved
Students, and non-students, can volunteer within student sport in a number of different ways including;
- Joining your sports club committee in a role such as Captain, Vice-Captain, Treasurer, Media Officer and much more!
- Applying for a committee role within your sports union
- Offering up your time to coach one of the teams at your college or university
- Volunteering your time and officiating your sport
- Applying for one of SSS’ sports development group roles, helping to shape the development of activity on a national level
No matter what area of volunteering you’d like to take part in, there’ll be something for you! The best way to start volunteering is to get in contact with your sports union or to keep an eye out for volunteer vacancies on the Scottish Student Sport vacancies page.
Overcoming challenges
Volunteering is an amazing use of your time and we know that there are many different barriers faced by volunteers. Fortunately, there are things in place within the Scottish student network to overcome some of the barriers to volunteering and ensure that more people are able to volunteer without leaving them out of pocket, or feeling unsupported.
For example, SSS frequently covers travel and lunch expenses for event volunteers, as well as offering a multitude of subsidised training opportunities so that volunteers can focus their time and resources in the areas that truly matter, without having to commit as much to getting there.
It can also be challenging to step into a leadership position over your peers, especially in a club committee setting, where the additional responsibility can be challenging and put strain on relationships. The first step to overcoming these challenges is to acknowledge them and to find the support and guidance of peers in similar positions through club captains or officials forums, as well as talking to your sports union if you need any additional guidance.
Rewards and benefits
Getting involved in volunteering can be incredibly rewarding and beneficial to career and life goals. By volunteering within student sport it’s possible to develop key skills such as:
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Event Management and Organising
- Team working
- And many more!
Volunteering is also beneficial for personal development and can be hugely rewarding; you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of others, and you’ll be socialising with other likeminded people. Giving back to your sporting community benefits everyone and builds strong foundations for the future.
Support systems for student sport volunteers
We know that volunteering can be a big commitment, but there are lots of support systems in place throughout student sport. Sport Unions and Student Associations are incredible structures that combine student leadership with professional guidance and will always be on hand to offer support and guidance that any volunteer might require help with.
Scottish Student Sport also have a responsibility to look after student volunteers, offering support and guidance through regular contact with sports leads, regular forums and opportunities for volunteer voices to be heard as well as support from the Learning and People Coordinator, who supports the development of volunteers through programmes such as the leadership academy, and reffin’ brilliant, where introductory officiating courses specifically designed for students are available.
