Attract and manage club volunteers
Volunteers are the lifeblood of community sports clubs. They contribute their time, skills and energy, which helps to engage the community and expand your club’s influence. Without volunteers, many clubs would struggle to function, let alone thrive. Attracting and keeping volunteers is crucial for your club’s success.
To attract volunteers, it’s more than just asking for help. It’s about building relationships, understanding why people want to be involved, and creating an environment where people feel welcome and valued. By focusing on these principles, you can attract and retain a dedicated team of volunteers who are passionate about your club and your sport.
The management committee leads the governance and strategic direction of your club. Attracting the right people to these roles and ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge can have a significantly positive impact. A well-structured induction program can help new committee members understand their roles and feel comfortable and confident in their positions.
Resources
Attract volunteers
Learn about the principles of influence and how to apply them to attract volunteers 166.4 KB) .
Attract management committee members
To learn how to attract the right people to your management committee, read Attracting management committee members 137.3 KB) .
New management committee member and volunteer induction program
The volunteer induction guide 170 KB) will help you create a comprehensive program for new committee members and your volunteers.
Workplace health and safety
It's crucial for all organisations, including not-for-profit clubs and volunteer associations, to provide safe workplaces and practices 143.1 KB) .
Clubs must understand their legal obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) to ensure the safety of all volunteers and workers. Although the WHS Act specifically applies to clubs with paid workers, it is important for all volunteers to follow good workplace health and safety practices, even if your club is purely voluntary.
This includes:
- understanding risks
- following safety procedures
- reporting hazards
- access to first aid
- participating in regular training
- being familiar with emergency procedures.
More information
- Read information from Worksafe Queensland regarding when not-for-profit organisations and volunteers have duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
- Read the Office of Fair Trading smart business guide about starting and operating an incorporated association in Queensland.
- Create a free account to access the Australian Sport’s Commission Game Plan online platform of resources, for sporting clubs of all sizes, designed to support club development.
- Welcoming Clubs is an overarching initiative for programs that embrace the power of sport and recreation as a vehicle for inclusion, opportunity and belonging for all members of the community.
- Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations of all levels with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse sexualities and genders.
- The Volunteering Resource Hub, an initiative of Volunteering Australia, brings together resources to support effective volunteer management.
- Volunteering Queensland offers a library of resources including research, national standards, and guides, such as the guide for volunteer reward and recognition.
- The Australian Sports Commission's Volunteer Resource Hub provides resources, tools and practical tips and tricks to assist clubs in attracting, retaining and celebrating volunteers.
