WH4Sport Volunteer Programme
The aim of the WH4Sport Volunteers Programme is to encourage and support volunteers to acquire the confidence, knowledge and skills to begin and continue an involvement in sports leadership, either in a voluntary or paid capacity, within the community.
We are looking for volunteers who are committed, motivated and determined to succeed.
Objectives
1. To recruit volunteers over the age of 16 plus.
2. To provide quality placements in community sports clubs/ organisations and events.
3. To provide support to the volunteers to ensure enjoyment and personal development through leadership & coaching qualifications.
4. To establish clear pathways for volunteers to progress their learning & development in community sport and ensure continued involvement in sports leadership either in a voluntary or paid capacity.
5. To ensure that the demographic profile of young people accessing the programme is representative of the demographic profile of the partnership.
WH4Sport Volunteers is for anybody 16 plus working on a variety of programmes. The programmes on offer are - Step into Sport (SIS) for 16 - 19 year olds interesting in volunteering within sport in the community, Streetgames for 16 – 25 and Sport Volunteering for anyone aged 16 plus interested in supporting the organisation and running of numerous sports events within North Tyneside.
The aim of these programmes across North Tyneside is to provide clearly signposted, well-supported pathways into volunteering and potential employment in sport for volunteers across the region.
How does the programme work:
STAGE 1: Recruitment
Establish partnerships and steering groups to enable regular contact with colleges, teachers, accredited clubs and organisations to recruit young people and identify placement opportunities.
STAGE 2: Placements
Set up quality placements for young people through building relationships with local sports clubs, leisure centres, youth groups and community organisations .
STAGE 3: Support
Offer a support network to each volunteer via mentors and volunteer coordinators. Regular contact to discuss development opportunities and motivate volunteers to sustain their commitment.
STAGE 4: Pathways
Provision of training and development courses to develop volunteers key skills, confidence and self esteem. Clear pathways established to enhance young people’s educational achievements and employability skills.
Volunteer Themes
Volunteers can get involved within 4 areas:
- Coaching
- Running the Sports Club
- Marketing and Promotion
- Sports Events/Development Days
Coaching - activities can include:
- Introducing yourself to the young people who you will be working with;
- Observing best practice in organising safe activities;
- Observing warm up, skills and cool down activities;
- Preparing and delivering a warm-up session;
- Preparing and delivering a sports skills session
- Organising and refereeing a game or activity
- Preparing and delivering a cool down activity
- Preparing and delivering a whole session
- All of the above under supervision & guidance from the main coach if required.
Running a Sports Club - activities can include:
- Organising a event/activity
- General sports club administration
- Coach Education courses – are all club coaches up-to date
- Club structures, Committee meetings and minutes
- Player registrations
- Member analysis – using member skills to support the club further
- Help clubs achieve NGB Club Accreditation
Marketing & Promotion - activities can include:
- Website for a sports club or updating a website for a sports club;
- Design and develop a volunteering page on the existing Club Website;
- Produce a club programme;
- Design posters & leaflets which could be used to promote club coaching sessions;
- Design a club logo;
- Design club merchandise which could be sold to generate income;
- Produce an article for the local newspaper promoting the club.
Sports Events/Development Days
- Various sporting events run in North Tyneside e.g. Stride out to the Lighthouse, Festival of Sport - Roles include stewarding, leading groups, administration etc
- The Sports Development Officers run sports development days in the school holidays. Roles include assistant coaching, administration, leading groups etc.