RESEARCH Are you a Sports Volunteer? - If so, please read on ...

The Irish Sports Council has commissioned research to investigate the needs, capacities, and profile of the Irish volunteers working with children's and youth sport and physical activity programmes. It is part of a larger study investigating the sport and physical activity patterns of children and youth. The aim of the study is to investigate how best to enhance the experience for all involved in sport and physical activity, including the volunteer.

The research team is eager to hear from volunteers and club administrators about the volunteer experience, examples of best practice, and barrier to recruiting and maintaining a volunteer workforce. This will be done through an online survey that will take no more than 15 minutes to complete. This is the first in-depth study in Ireland to focus on the volunteer experience. Those who participate in the study are entered into a prize draw. Administrators are placed in a draw to win a 3 day training camp for their club and the volunteers have the opportunity to win sports vouchers. Visit the web address below for more details on the prizes.

The online survey is located on the Irish Sports Council website and can be accessed here

Further information is available from Tony Cunningham at the Irish Sports Council at 018608800.