Volunteering in school sport

The School Games is a great opportunity to develop the next generation of volunteers in sport. Through undertaking meaningful roles in the organisation and delivery of school and community sport, young people will develop important life skills, confidence and competence.

To support Schools and School Games Organisers in understanding their volunteering and workforce needs, we've created some useful tools to download:

Adult workforce needs model of delivery and adult workforce tool
Young people workforce needs model of delivery and young people tool

Level 1

All schools are encouraged to develop School Sport Organising Crews (primary) and School Sport Organising Committees (secondary). These are groups of young people who lead the planning and delivery of school sport clubs and intra-school competition programmes in their school.

They will influence and shape the school sport offer for their peers through deciding on the types of competitions, their structure and where and when they take place, making it more attractive and accessible for all young people.

To support the development of SSOCs in your school a number of resources have been developed to bring structure and activities to their role that your committee can work on with minimal supervision from a teacher.

The training materials you can download include:

Teachers guidance documents
Advice and guidance for the SSOC's on:

- Surveying and fact finding

- Marketing and promoting the Sainsbury's School Games

- Public speaking and presentation skills

Download the first set of resources

Additional resources will be released in January.

Level 2

Each SGO area is encouraged to develop a Leadership Academy which should:

signpost/deliver appropriate qualifications and awards to support volunteering, including basic training in coaching, officiating and team management. SGOs can access training on delivery of this;
provide opportunities for young leaders to learn from their peers;
share a range of volunteer opportunities for young people, including school sport, community clubs, events and organisations);
prepare and support them to undertake placements and volunteer experiences;
provide mentoring support to young leaders individually and in a group;
be fully inclusive; and
celebrate, profile and reward the contribution young leaders make to school and community sport.

We have developed guidance on how to create an environment within a Leadership Academy where young people with disabilities and special educational needs feel a sense of belonging and an ability achieve. You can also read case studies on how other areas have developed their Leadership Academies.

Level 3

Local Organising Committees will be organising training for young people volunteering at the event. This will be supported by an Athlete Mentor and national faculty member and includes:

an inspirational talk delivered by an Athlete Mentor on the importance of competition, what makes a competition event successful and the role of volunteers;
an overview of the event logistics;
Health and Safety, Customer Service and Safeguarding training;
Role-specific training on:

- Event/venue role

- Sporting role

- Media role