Lilla Farkas, Grants Officer at WCVA, explains how Sported used the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant to explore how to take volunteering in community sports to the next level.
On 27 March 2025 a diverse group of stakeholders from across Wales gathered at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to explore the transformative impact of volunteer leadership in the Welsh community sports sector. Hosted by Sported, the event marked the culmination of a year-long project to enhance the capacity and impact of board and management-level volunteering in community sports.
Attendees came from the public, private and voluntary sectors, all united by a shared goal to address the challenges facing board-level volunteering and find practical, sustainable solutions.
BUILDING CAPACITY THROUGH STRATEGIC SUPPORT
This research project was funded by the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant, a programme designed to support pioneering projects that explore and embed innovative approaches to volunteering across Wales. It aims to unlock the strategic potential of volunteering by removing barriers, strengthening partnerships, promoting inclusion, and scaling up good practice across sectors.
Sported have worked alongside organisations including Sport Wales, Welsh Sports Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales and Street Games to conduct in-depth research into the landscape of volunteer leadership in grassroots sport. They consulted across community sport and broader voluntary sectors to better understand who volunteers at board and management-level, the barriers they face, and the routes into these roles.
The findings were published in a research report, which informed the second stage of the work, focusing on providing practical and sustainable solutions to the challenges identified. A series of recommendations were published in a separate report which proposes a framework of action for the sector moving forward.
INSIGHTS FROM THE DAY
Among the key insights highlighted was the need for greater diversity as many volunteer leaders in community sport are typically older, able-bodied white men. Many are pressed for time, and the demands of these roles can exclude those with full-time jobs, caring responsibilities or health conditions. Despite these challenges, people are drawn to them because of community ties and shared values.
A panel discussion featuring representatives from the Youth Sport Trust, Tylorstown Rugby Football Club, and the Welsh Rugby Union, facilitated by the Welsh Sports Association, delved further into the challenges and opportunities facing volunteer leadership. Panellists reflected on themes such as upskilling volunteers, engaging underrepresented groups, and fostering inclusive, future-focused cultures within clubs and organisations.
A series of interactive workshops designed to spark discussion and collaboration were a key part of the event. Participants rotated through five themed stations – recruitment, upskilling, reward and recognition, efficiencies and innovation, and empowering pathways for young people and marginalised groups – to generate ideas and practical recommendations.
DRIVING CHANGE THROUGH CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIP
This event was not a one-off conversation but part of a wider journey to reshape volunteer leadership in the community sport sector. At the core of both the project and the event was a strong emphasis on partnership working. The project would not have been possible without cross-sector collaboration, from Sported’s coordination, insights from national bodies and the lived experiences of local community clubs.
Thanks to a project extension, Sported will continue its work into a new ‘Solutions Phase’. They will work across the public, private, sport, voluntary, and education sectors to co-develop sustainable, strategic solutions to the challenges facing board-level volunteering. Investment from the Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant will help the whole sector harness collective resources, skills, and innovation to deliver lasting impact for volunteering in Wales.
KNOWLEDGE HUB
If you’d like to find more resources from other Volunteering Wales Strategic Grant fund recipients, as well gain access to a wide range of learning on other subjects and topics, visit TSSW’s Knowledge Hub for more information.