A Small Increase can be seen - Volunteers in European Sport for All
Bengt Sevelius


In 1995, the North Western Countries of Europe such as Austria, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, each with long traditions of voluntarism in sport, dominated the responses to a survey on volunteers in sport. In 2001, countries representing Central- and Eastern Europe, such as Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia, joined the survey, thus giving us a broader view over the trends in Europe.
Now, in 2003, I have received answers from even more countries, including France and Slovakia, which still broadens our opportunities to get an hopefully representative overview of the situation in Europe.
There are 19 countries which answered the 2003 questionnaire (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey). Figures are not yet available for two of these countries.
Most figures, for 1995, 2001 and 2003 represent estimates by experts and are not the results of a precise statistical survey.
The analysis shows clearly that we – the sport organisations, at all levels – need more solid information about our members, professionals, volunteers, board members, activities etc in our organisations. It is necessary to use these basic data for planning of our activities, for evaluations, as well as for our political arguments in favour of the sports movement.

Memberships in sports clubsas a % of population
The memberships in sports clubs shows a high percentage related to total population in countries with a long tradition of voluntarism. One can find a sports club in almost every village, most often run by voluntary leaders. Their sports, in the broadest sense, are often offered for children, youngsters and adults. The highest percentage of memberships in the investigations 2001 and 2003 showed that almost every second inhabitant of the countries of Austria, Island, Norway and Switzerland was a member of a sports club. In Denmark, Germany and Sweden, roughly every third and in the Netherlands and Czech Republic, every fourth person was a member- active or passive- in a sports club. On the other hand, the figures for membership in Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovakia shows figures below 10% of the population. Therefore, lets be ready to support them!

Voluntary sport leaders as a % of population
The investigation indicates that the numbers of voluntary leaders has increased slightly since 1995. In that part of Europe where voluntary work has a long tradition a positive development can be seen for all of them. (The figures reported show Finland 10%, Sweden 7% and Netherlands 6% of the population.) A huge increase is reported from Austria but is explained by being a correction of earlier estimates.
The explanation for smaller numbers of volunteers in former Central- and Eastern European countries is due, to a great extent, to the economical situation. If people have to fulfil two jobs at the same time in order to earn their living, no time is left for voluntary work outside the family. The change from the state sport system, where most leaders worked for elite sports professionals, to a non-governmental organisation based upon both voluntary and professional workers also needs a long time for realisation.
An exception is Czechia, with a strong non-governmental movement before the Second World War. It has most rapidly raised the percentage of voluntary leaders.

Percentage of male and female voluntary sports leaders
The average figures in 2003 indicate 27% women and 73% men volunteer as sports leaders. This is not a significant change compared with 2001, where figures were 29.5% and 70.5% respectively. Note that not exactly all the same countries answered and that Denmark, Norway and UK-countries working successfully in favour of equality, are missing in the 2003 investigation. Were their high figures included, I think there would have been a significant increase for 2003.
The answers given in 2003 range from the very low 8% up to 46%. Compared with 1995 and 2001 a clear improvement is found in, for example Belgium (35%), Finland (44%), Germany (46%), Iceland (40%) and Sweden (36%). I am convinced that these figures are results of directed and successful investments in favour of equality within sport. Some countries show significant decreases, which are difficult to explain. Hopefully they are effects of improved facts! More detailed information is definitely needed. It is obvious that many East European countries are far behind and here meet a real challenge.

Percentage of “Administrative” volunteers and “Fieldworkers” among voluntary leaders
Among countries having answered 2003 there is no clear trend. In Croatia, Lithuania and Slovakia, two thirds or more are administrators- board members, official voluntary administrators etc. In Austria, Belgium and Iceland- countries with long traditions of voluntary work- more than 70% of the voluntary leaders are fieldworkers being coaches, team leaders, “sport for all”-leaders etc.
Concerning recruitment to position in the executive boards of the clubs and federations, in North Western Europe it seems to be more difficult to recruit volunteers. Perhaps it is a result of the commercialisation of sports and the problem of finance and administrative regulations that mean improved personal responsibilities both legally and financially?

Time budget for voluntary sport leaders
The average time budgets for 1995 and 2001 were 4.8 hours/week and 5 hours/week. The 2003 average figure is 5.8 hours/week. If the two highest reports (14 hours/week in Slovenia and 10 hours/week in Iceland) are seen as extreme and not counted, the average figure is 4.8 hours/week. This means that the average over all three investigations (1995, 2001 and 2003) is around 5 hours/week that the volunteer devotes to sports.

In a summary could be said

That the importance of and interest in voluntary work in European Sport organisations have increased.
That in most of the countries, the very high figures of membership in sport clubs as well as the number of volunteers, shows a small increase in former Central- and Eastern European countries, although the increase of volunteers is very slow.
That the number of female volunteers in 2003 differs greatly between countries and ranges from 46% to 8%.
That the relationship between volunteers as fieldworkers and in administration showed a tendency that there are more fieldworkers than administrators in countries with a long tradition of voluntary work but in the Eastern European countries the administrators (mainly board members and other officials) dominate.
That the time budget showed extraordinary differences, namely between 3 and 14 hours per week, but that the average time voluntarily devoted to sport was almost equal in 1995 , 2001 and 2002 namely- 5 hours a week.





http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-january2004.htm