Sport for Business has announced a new Forum on the Future of Volunteering in Irish Sport, bringing together leaders from clubs, governing bodies, local authorities, education, and the wider sporting community to explore how volunteering can be firmly placed at the centre of grassroots sport.
The Forum will take place on Tuesday, September 8th, from 09:30 to 12:30, at the National Indoor Arena on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown
Held in partnership with Rosterfy, the morning will combine practical case studies, expert panel discussions and collaborative workshops to examine the biggest opportunities and challenges facing volunteering in Irish sport today.
The opening session will feature Special Olympics Ireland and Rosterfy, showcasing how one of Ireland’s largest volunteer programmes recruits, supports and celebrates volunteers through a combination of inclusive culture and innovative technology.
Two panel discussions will then examine the current state of volunteering in Irish sport and explore how organisations can build the volunteer workforce of the future. Participants will also work together in facilitated workshops to identify practical actions that can strengthen volunteering at the club, county, and national levels.
Rather than ending with the Forum itself, the discussions will form the basis of a new Sport for Business publication, Putting Volunteering Front and Centre Stage in Grassroots Sport. The Playbook will capture the ideas, examples and recommendations emerging from the Forum and provide a practical resource for clubs and sporting organisations across Ireland.
The morning will conclude with the official launch of a new 30 Under 30 Young Volunteers in Sport initiative.
Sport for Business Founder Rob Hartnett said:
“Every great sporting experience begins with somebody giving their time. Volunteers coach our children, organise fixtures, steward events, serve on committees, welcome newcomers and create communities. This Forum is about recognising their value, learning from organisations that are leading the way, and ensuring volunteering remains one of the great strengths of Irish sport for generations to come.”
“That said, we are facing a very slow rebuild towards the numbers that were committed before the interruption caused by Covid.” Rather than facing this universal challenge alone, let’s come together and do some smart thinking about how we can reignite Ireland’s desire to give of its time and energy.”
Tickets are available now for Sport for Business members. There is a limit on the number of people that can attend, so early booking is recommended.
