Creating a supportive environment for volunteers

We all know that volunteers are the backbone of any sporting community. But sometimes it can be challenging to recruit and retain volunteers.

Research into the experiences of women and girls in traditionally male-dominated sports showed the need to establish a supportive club culture and strong volunteer backing to create true gender inclusion.

So, this National Volunteer Week we’re looking at ways we can support more women and girls to get involved in community sport and overcome common barriers such as gendered roles, stereotypes and negative attitudes.

Community sporting clubs can help support more women and girls by:

• addressing inequalities in team resourcing between women and girls and men’s and boys' teams

• implementing specific strategies to increase the number of women volunteering

• creating policies to support women in leadership roles at the club

• supporting women and girls to build their confidence and capability to take up roles that are traditionally dominated by men

• creating a welcoming and inclusive culture

The research also found that men’s supportive actions like helping with tasks on games day are important for women’s participation.

It also showed the role dads with daughters can play to encourage more girls to play sport and how deep-rooted gender stereotypes can impact on the resourcing and value put into women’s sport.

Ensuring more women are volunteers can help to create a more equal gendered playing field for women and girls.

This research was conducted by Victoria University and Federation University and backed by a Change Our Game Research Grant.