The Sports Volunteering Research Network (SVRN) aims to bring national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport and recreation together with academic researchers interested in sports volunteering to share knowledge and best practice. It currently holds two events a year - one focusing on sharing the latest academic research findings on sports volunteering, the other with a focus on sharing NGB research and case studies. The SVRN is also producing a directory of sports volunteer researchers for use by NGBs. The directory will provide researchers' contact details and relevant experience. This should be available by the end of 2012.

The most recent SVRN meeting took place on 18 April 2012, the presentations will be available online soon. It is likely that the next event will take place in Autumn 2012. For further information about the SVRN, please contact John Downes.

26 October 2011

Developing guidance to help clubs recruit new volunteers from outside the club
Peter Taylor, Sheffield Hallam University

• Supported by the European Year of Volunteering, this research aimed to develop guidance to help clubs recruit volunteers from outside the traditional sources of members and parents.

The contribution of volunteers to the economic impact of the London Marathon
Richard Coleman, Sheffield Hallam University, and Lisa Thompson, London Marathon Ltd.

• A unique insight into the contribution of volunteers to the successful delivery of one of the largest mass participation events in the world, drawing on economic impact studies of the London Marathon undertaken by SIRC.

Findings from the Sport and Recreation Alliance 2011 Sports Club Survey
Syann Cox, Sport and Recreation Alliance

• An exploration of the financial health, membership make-up, facility usage and upcoming opportunities and challenges for community sports clubs.

Connecting with volunteers, creating an offer that inspires the delivery of sport
George Wood, Badminton England

• Covers methods of linking NGB activity to the aims and aspirations of volunteers in order to enable the growth and development of a sport.

Using volunteers in community sports facilities
Chris Porter, Tadcaster Swimming Pool

• Tadcaster Swimming Pool, a charitable trust, has always used volunteers alongside paid staff. This presentation shows Tadcaster as a case study at a time when more facilities traditionally staffed by paid employees may need to examine the possibility of using volunteers to run them.

Which type of sports club offers most potential for promoting sports participation?
Geoff Nichols and Jo Padmore, University of Sheffield

• A cluster analysis of the non-profit clubs in the 2009 CCPR sports club survey reveals three main groups. The groups are related to absolute and net growth in membership over a two year period. Policy implications are discussed.

The following presentations were given at previous SVRN events and are in date order with the most recent first.

7 April 2011

On your marks...Get set…Please fill in sub-section 152b in triplicate - How sports clubs want to break free of unnecessary red tape
Syann Cox, Sport and Recreation Alliance

Growing sport through clubs: understanding and respecting the heterogeneity of club types
Spencer Harris, University of Hertfordshire

Reviewing governance: a case from the ASA
Marc Taylor, Sheffield Hallam University and ASA

The trouble with volunteers
Professor Leigh Robinson, University of Stirling

Volunteering for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: visions, policies and capitals
Cynthia Zhuang, University of East London

3 November 2010

Developing a lasting participation legacy through clubs
Chris Jones, England Athletics

Participant-centred approach
Katie Ritchie, England Netball

Managing research to influence direction
David Marshall and Seyrum Atubra, British Gymnastics

19 March 2010

Social exclusion in voluntary sports clubs: Policies and practices in British tennis
Dr Rob Lake, St. Mary’s University College

Finnish sports clubs in change
Dr Pasi Koski, University of Turku, Finland

Scarcity of volunteers and viability of sports clubs in Germany
Professor Christoph Breuer, German Sports University, Cologne

CCPR sports club survey 2009 - the health of sport clubs
Professor Peter Taylor, SIRC and Dr Geoff Nichols, University of Sheffield

14 October 2009

The Role of Clubs in Promoting Local Policy Outcomes
Andy Adams

Sports Strategic Partnership for Volunteering
Kirsty Clarke

12 May 2009

Volunteering: Development of an NGB website
Jenny Anderson

Just wanting a little Respect. Doing research for the FA
Celia Brackenbridge

University of Sheffield & England Netball
Geoff Nichols

Sources of Funding
Geoff Nichols

The Advantage Line - a study undertaken for the Australian Rugby Union
John Schulz

Participation Data and the ASA/Badminton England
Simon Shibli