EDITOR’S LETTER Volunteering gets a boost


dle these challenges, just as it has dealt with the last 20 years of political shifting sands. More Lottery money coming our way will also help sport ride out the budget cuts better than many other sectors. Big Society requires that substantial amounts of sports administration and management move into the


I BMX champion Liam Phillips


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voluntary sector, both to relieve pressure on budgets and to develop sports provision at a community level. However, this emerging emphasis on the role of volunteers comes at a time when the volunteering


movement is losing momentum and people are less likely to give their time for others. Sport England’s Active People survey shows that the number of volunteers in sport is static at best and in some places declining slightly, whereas the government’s Big Society ambitions demand it grows and grows quickly. Reviving the status of volunteering and inspiring a new generation of sport-lovers to get involved has


been highlighted as one of the major challenges the sector needs to tackle. One of the biggest obstacles to be overcome, in relation to recruiting volunteers, is the issue of liability.


In an increasingly litigious society where sport has had its fair share of high profile brushes with the law many people are concerned that if they get involved, they may be opening themselves up to unacceptable levels of responsibility and the sector needs to tackle this issue quickly to reassure potential volunteers.


One of the biggest obstacles to be overcome in relation to recruiting volunteers is the issue of liability. Many people are concerned that if they get involved, they may be opening themselves up to onerous risk Two new initiatives announced this month will strengthen our ability to deal with these challenges. The


first is a new initiative from The Sport and Recreation Alliance – The Voluntary Code of Good Governance for the Sport and Recreation Sector, which is explained by chair Brigid Simmonds on page 13. The code outlines seven principles of good governance and in his foreword to the publication,


Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson, says: “It is not for any government to run sport or micro-manage its future. Dedicated professionals working within strong, independent, transparent and accountable organisations are the best way of ensuring that sport is able to reflect the identity and expectations of the whole community.” Robertson says core principles are strong, independent non-execs and small diverse boards and encourages the sector to commit to best practice in adopting the code. This will be great for sport, as well-run organisations have the framework and protocols necessary to


protect volunteers from unnecessarily onerous risk, freeing them to get on with their essential work. Another initiative in the news is the UK-wide launch of charity Sported,


which has been conducting pilot studies since 2008 and will now undertake a nationwide roll-out by opening regional offices. Sported aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people through


sport by – among other things – acting as a business angel to support sports development projects. Members of the Sported team and volunteer mentors will be aiming to engage young people, deliver activity and offer help with the commercial and administrative aspects of sport. As one of the challenges for volunteers is a lack of skill in the areas surrounding governance, these launches are most timely and welcome.


Liz Terry, editor lizterry@leisuremedia.com twitter: elizterry the leisure media company publishes


t’s all change again in the world of sport as the new government’s policies begin to kick in and the impact of Big Society thinking is felt. We debate the issues this will throw up for the industry in our Talkback feature on page 22 and the general consensus is that sport is well placed to han-


PHOTO CREDIT: LUKE WEBBER – BRITISH CYCLING


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