In the current economic climate, you are likely to find your clubs’ finances don’t stretch as far as they once did.  We are all having to find ways of saving money and football clubs are no exception.

In grassroots football, we have always relied on volunteers.  They have always been an integral part of our great sport and with finances under pressure, the importance of volunteers is arguable higher now than ever before. 

Have you thought about how you can ensure your clubs feel valued, so they stick around for the long term?  Of how your volunteers know of their importance to your club?  Have you considered how you can prioritise their enjoyment whilst volunteering for you? 

Recognising & rewarding volunteers doesn’t have to cost money; it doesn’t have to add financial burden at an already challenging time.  The best way to ensure your volunteers feel recognised and to understand how you can create a positive environment for them at your club is to ask them!

It sounds simple but within football, we are all so busy delivering the day to day, preparing for the next match etc. actually taking the time to talk to our volunteers, to understand their drivers for giving their time to our clubs and to identify how we can ensure their experiences at the club are positive, can often be overlooked.

Give this crucial area of your operations more focus.  Consider appointing a Volunteering Activator, or a Volunteering Co-ordinator, to be your volunteers’ go to person at your club.  Provide your volunteers with a point of contact to provide them with support, direction and to recognise their importance to your club. 

As well as providing your volunteers with support, your Volunteering Activato will develop a good understanding of your volunteers as individuals; they will better understand what your volunteers’ drivers are and can advise your club’s Officials on how you can ensure their volunteer experience remains positive.  

Of course, a “thank you” to our volunteers always goes a long way, annual appreciation events for our volunteers are a great way to recognise their importance to our clubs.  Continue doing this.  But consider appointing a Volunteering Activator to ensure the recognition of volunteers are your club is there at all times and that they have the support they undoubtedly deserve.