Volunteers in Asia / Oceanian Sport for All
Prof. Dr. Yasuo Yamaguchi, Japan |
|
Although there is no consensus about the meaning of sport volunteers,
we define sport volunteers as those who support sport clubs or associations
in coaching and managing and those who perform a necessary task related
to a game or event, without payment.
Table 1 indicates the types and roles of sport volunteers. Club/Organisation
volunteers include both volunteer leaders(coaches, trainers, instructors,
etc.) and management volunteers(managers, directors, officials, supporting
staff, etc.). Event volunteers include both special volunteers(officials,
interpreters, directors, medical staff, etc.) and general volunteers
(guides, aid station, host family, supporting staff, etc.). In addition
to club/organisation volunteers and event volunteers, athlete volunteers
can be identified as another type of sport volunteers.
Table 1 Types and Roles of Sport Volunteers (Yamaguchi, 2004)
|
Type |
Role |
|
Club/Organisation |
Volunteer
Volunteer Leader
(coaches, trainers, instructors, etc.)
Management Volunteer
(managers, directors, officials, supporting staff, etc.) |
|
Event Volunteer |
Special Volunteer
(officials, interpreters, directors, medical staff, etc.)
General Volunteer
(guides, aid station, host family, supporting staff, etc.) |
|
Athlete Volunteer |
Professional Players & Athletes, Top Athletes, |
|
Figure 1 shows the model of structure on sport culture (Ministry of
Education, Sciences, Sports & Culture, 2000). This model indicates
that sport culture consists of sport participants, sport spectators,
and sport volunteers. Increased numbers of sport participants has been
a major topic in sport policies. In Japan, promotion of spectator sport
became a target since the professional football league, called “J-league”,
started in 1993. Since the mid-1990’s a third type of involvement,
sport volunteers appeared, specifically in local sport events as well
as big sport events. It is said that without support by sport volunteers,
sport events can not accomplish successfully.
Figure 1 Structure of Sport Culture

A questionnaire survey on sport volunteesr was conducted in 9 Asian
and Oceanian countries. Table 2 indicates volunteer development programs
for Sport for All in Australia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand,
and Singapore. In Australia, the VIP (Volunteer Involvement Program)
started in 1993, while the “Active Australia” campaign was
initiated in 1995. The Club Development Network and Volunteer Management
Program, aiming at improving the management systems and skills of clubs
and individuals, is conducted under the campaign of “Active Australia”.
In addition, the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme, Club Development
Network and Volunteer Management Program are conducted by the Australian
Sports Commission.
In Iran, the National Olympic Committee conducts Multi Sports Competitions
for villages and locals and Local and Traditional Sports Competitions
with the support of volunteers. Their Women’s Sport for All Association
organises educational programs to develop volunteers effectively.
In Japan, the National Sport Leaders Accreditations Scheme is adopted
by the Japan Amateur Sports Association, while Club Managers and Staff
Seminars are held by the Japan Sport Clubs Association. A number of
volunteers are sent to developing countries to teach sport skills and
strategies by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. At the local
level, several local governments conduct Sport Volunteer Training Seminars,
while Sport Volunteer Leader-banks are established in a number of local
governments.
In Korea, Summer/Winter volunteer Programs for students, Youth Leaders’
Clubs,
Mothers’ Volunteer Groups, and SABA Volunteer Groups are organized
by the Sport for All Busan Association.
In Malaysia, “Rakan Muda”, the Youth Sport Development Program,
has been promoted by government and includes a variety of leadership
development programs.
In New Zealand, the Hillary Commission (now Sport and Recreation New
Zealand) started the VIP (Volunteer Involvement Program) in 1989. Most
coaches are volunteers, even among their national coaches. The “Coaches
Count!” campaign emphasises the 3R’s (Recruiting, Retaining,
Recognising) of volunteerism. Recently, the “Running Sport”
program promoted focus on fundraising, event management, training for
running meetings, secretarial and financial skills with strong emphasis
in the importance of volunteer staff and leaders.
In Singapore, the “Sport for Life”(SFL) campaign started
in 1996 to make it easier for Singaporeans to enjoy the benefits and
fun of playing sports and keeping fit at modern facilities close to
their doorsteps. In the SFL Volunteer Development Program, a database
of volunteers from schools, Constituency Sports Clubs and the public
is kept. These volunteers are involved in planning and executing of
programs and national events.
Table 2 Volunteer Development Programs for Sport for All
Country |
Name of Campaign |
Australia |
National Coaching Accreditation Scheme
National Offciating Accreditation Scheme
Club Development Network
Volunteer Management Program |
Iran |
Multi Sports Competitions of Villages and Local (NOC)
Local and Traditional Sports Competitions (NOC)
|
Japan |
Youth Sport Leader Courses
Promotion of Multi-sports Club
Sport Volunteer Training Seminar (local governments)
|
Korea |
Summer/Winter Volunteer Program for Students
Youth Leader’s Club
|
Malaysia |
Rakan Muda (youth sport development program) |
Singapore |
Sport for Life: Volunteer Development Program |
New Zealand |
Running Sport Program |
The following conclusions can be presented:
- Most countries in Asia and Oceania are conducting a variety of volunteer
programs.
- Three major difficulties concerned with volunteer management in sport
clubs are
- 1) recruiting volunteers, 2) training volunteers, and 3) retaining volunteers.
- Model programs in volunteer management are VIP (Australia, England),
Active Australia (Australia), and Running Sport (New Zealand).
- Development of programs for youth sport leaders is important for
children’s socialisation processes.
- Sport for All organisations can collaborate with sport federations
and NOC’s in athlete volunteer programs.
- Professionalism and voluntarism should be more emphasised and considered
separately.

http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-january2004.htm
Volunteers in Asia/Oceanian Sport for All
Prof. Dr. Yasuo Yamaguchi, Japan
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