Volunteer motivation

Volunteers are an essential human resource for all sectors of thesport industry. Often described as the backbone of any sport system, sport managers must understand what motivates volunteers so that they can adequately recruit, satisfy, and retain their volunteer workforce. Several studies explore volunteer motivation in youth sport, professional sport, and mega sport events. Common themes point toward volunteers being motivated by selflessness, altruism, skill development and personal growth, social interaction, social identity, experience and enjoyment, and obligation.Motivations for volunteering can be multi-faceted and personal. Sport managers should also consider recognition and rewarding of volunteers.