The Future of Volunteering in Scottish Rugby Inspiring the Next Generation
Why This Matters Now • Rugby clubs across the country are facing a critical challenge: volunteer numbers are falling while demands are rising • Without committed volunteers, the foundation of the community game risks being weakened.
Today’s Focus: We’ll explore how to engage and support volunteers to keep rugby thriving at all levels.
The Volunteer Ecosystem Grounds person Team Managers
President
VP Head of Senior Rugby
Kit Manager
Treasurer
Secretary
Senior Coaches
The Rugby Club
Referee’s
Kitchen Staff
Event's Organisers
Bar Staff
Fundraiser
Media Person
CPO
First Aiders
Head of Women's Rugby
Youth Coaches
Head of Youth Rugby
Volunteering in Rugby – National Picture Did You Know? • Over 3,000 volunteers support grassroots rugby in Scotland alone • Yet, 1 in 3 clubs report having fewer volunteers than they need • Recruitment and retention remain top concerns for club leaders nationwide Trends We’re Seeing: • A shift in how people want to volunteer: more flexible, bite-sized roles • Increased competition for time from other sports, causes, and life priorities • Rising importance of recognition, community, and personal development
National Volunteering Statistics
A Club’s journey to a thriving volunteer network Ross High RFC
Our Journey
Beginning
Why
The Catalyst
Volunteer Recruitment
Volunteer Development
Where we are now
W
Why?
Leading up to season 23/24 • Lack of engagement from RHS pupils • Little to no prior experience of rugby at primary school • Low playing numbers at RHS youth teams
No Ross High RFC Mini Rugby
Lack of Volunteers
The Catalyst Purpose for members / senior players to volunteer
Parent/Pupil Volunteers) Attracted a new bank parents to RHRFC
First step to weekly mini rugby
Ross High Raiders Mini Rugby
Mini Rugby Easter Camp 2023 Volunteer roles and responsibilities filled by parent helpers
New members for the club Extra opportunities for pupil volunteers
Child Protection Officer
Sponsors
Mini Convener
Volunteer First Aider
Volunteer Helpers
Volunteer recruitment Adult Volunteers Create a list of roles & responsibilities for a successful Mini Rugby Section
Send out to all members & parents from our Easter Camp
Identify interest & recruit appropriate volunteers
Upskill volunteers through CPD opportunities
Upskill pupils through CPD at SoR sessions
Buddy up pupils with a coach during Mini Rugby Easter Camp
Recruit at Rugby Ambassadors
Senior Pupil Volunteers Identify interest through RHS SoR programme
Young Volunteer Development – Rugby Ambassadors Positive Destinations Stage 4 Lead Coach (S6) Stage 3 Assistant coach (S5) Stage 2 Development (S4) Stage 1 Introduction (S3)
Lead Sessions - Saltire Award 200 hours - Platinum Youth Achievement Award
Plan and deliver practices - Saltire Award 100 hours - Gold Youth Achievement Award - Coaching essentials, First Aid, Introduction to Match Officiating, Education through Cashback
Develop Coaching skills
- Saltire Award 50 hours - Silver Youth Achievement Award - Scrums/World Rugby online courses
Learn coaching skills
- Supporting lunchtime clubs - Shadow RA’s during mini rugby sessions -Begin Saltire Award
What keeps our club going
Parent Coaches
Parent/member volunteers
Parent Coaches
Rugby Ambassadors
Developing our Talent
1400+ Voluntary hours
Rugby Ambassadors
Club Volunteers/Sponsors Thriving Club
Quotes from RHS
The pupils that have been involved with the Cashback program have shown great progress in terms of their leadership, communication and organisational skills. One in particular was able to use what he had learnt in the program and apply it in his level 5 sport and fitness award and gained a pass. A Crichton – PT, PE
Through the Rugby Ambassador programme.. This has allowed the Young People at RHS to receive first hand skills and qualities that will allow them to use in everyday life. Through the Voluntary work they have committed to, this has allowed them to be recognised within their local community, become positive role models for young participants as well as receiving an education through qualifications. By following this programme, this hopefully allows the young people to see opportunities that they can get involved in out with school whether that will be education, paid work or continuing to volunteer J Chapman -Active Schools Coordinator
Impact
Youth Leadership in Action Insights from the Scottish Rugby Youth Panel
Who Are We? – The Scottish Rugby Youth Panel What is the Youth Panel? - 12 Passionate young people involved in Scottish Rugby - Advocates for young players' voices in decision-making - Represent the 6 regions across Scotland Our Role & Remit - Offer insights and feedback on youth rugby programs, helping to shape policies and initiatives that support player development - Helping promote rugby among young people and encourages greater participation by showcasing the sport's benefits and opportunities We all have experience of being leaders within our rugby setting and want to share that with you.
First-Hand Accounts – Leading from the Front Keir, 17 – Volunteer at Deeside junior festival – supporting operations and officiating Emma, 16 – Safeguarding conference, Cybersafe Scotland, RugbyTots
George, 22 – Leading Tartan Touch, organising Club Dinner + Social Events, creating a Run Club
Building Meaningful Opportunities How to Create Real Opportunities for Youth Leadership • Small steps create long-term change Player
Helper/Volunteer
Coach/Official
Committee Member
Board Member
Captaincy or Leadership group
Matchday roles for senior's games
Involvement with minis sections at training + tournaments
Representing views of youth members/players
Making decisions with Youth members a priority
• Leadership starts with trust + responsibility, create a culture of youth leadership
Benefits to Clubs and Communities The Impact of Youth Leadership • • • •
Increased retention and engagement of young members Benefits young people – skills for life and work Ensuring sustainable volunteer pool Innovative thinking and stronger community outreach
'Organisations with young people in decision-making roles are more likely to be perceived as inclusive, ethical and purpose-driven' - 2019 Deloitte Global Millennial Survey
Takeaways and Next Steps • Value youth voices. Listen, trust and support – who are your future board members? • Start small. One initiative, one champion, what is the first opportunity? • Partner with the Youth Panel for guidance and inspiration, we are experts at being young people, how can we help?
Speak to us today and stay connected with your regional YP Member!
Volunteering & the Community Game Adrian Murtagh & Bethany Sikes 17th May 2025
Formal volunteering is in decline 35% 31%
30%
30%
29%
28%
27%
27%
27%
28%
27%
26%
26%
26%
% adults (16+)
25%
22% 18%
20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Year Source: SHS 2007-2023
The State of Volunteering in Scotland
22
SHS 2023: demographics • Female participation rates remain higher • 16-34 year olds have the lowest participation • Continued difference by deprivation but the gap is closing • Retired people have the highest participation by economic status • More volunteering in rural areas
The State of Volunteering in Scotland
23
28% 27%
Local community or neighbourhood 18%
Youth or children's activities outside school
SHS 2023: volunteer activities 9%
Hobbies and recreation
Physical activity, sport and exercise (coaching, organising or otherwise helping out)
Health, disability and wellbeing Religion and belief Children's education and schools 5%
Environmental protection
15% 14% 15% 14% 15% 14% 14% 13% 14%
8% 7% 7%
Culture and heritage 4%
Adult guidance, advice and learning Groups aimed at supporting older people 2%
Trade Unions, justice and human rights
2023 % formal volunteers 2022 % formal volunteers
5% 4% 5%
4%
3%
Other group(s)
21%
4%
3% 3%
None 2%
Politics
3% 3% 3% 3% 2%
Animal welfare Emergency services, first aid and public safety
0%
The State of Volunteering in Scotland
5%
10%
15% 20% % Formal Volunteers (16+)
25%
30%
24
Sports participation & volunteering
The State of Volunteering in Scotland
26
The current state of Scottish volunteering • Volunteering is in crisis • The cost-of-living crisis is closing doors to volunteer participation • People are missing out on the wellbeing benefits of volunteering when they need it most • The deprivation gap is closing, but it isn’t all as it seems • The demographic profile of Scotland’s volunteers is changing Volunteering in Scotland
27
The State of Volunteering in Scotland
28
A pledge for any individual or organisation that involves volunteers or influences how volunteers are deployed.
Aim to create a community of champions who actively promote and uphold the principles of the Charter. The State of Volunteering in Scotland
29
Investing in Volunteers •
The UK quality framework standard for all organisations who involve volunteers
•
It aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience and to ensure organisations acknowledge the contribution made by volunteers
•
A development tool
Volunteering in Scotland: a Shifting Landscape
30
Focused conversation • What is the most significant challenge your group faces around volunteering? • On your lightbulb sheet, record one action you are going to take to support your volunteer activity.
The State of Volunteering in Scotland
Visit our stall
Stop by our stall to discover exclusive resources, get your questions answered and explore how you can make a bigger impact through volunteering.
Volunteer Scotland Jubilee House, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ Tel: 01786 479593 Email: hello@volunteerscotland.org.uk Website: volunteerscotland.net volunteerscotland.net
@volscotland
@volscotland
@volscotland
@volscotland
@volunteerscotland
@volunteerscotland
In Summary • Volunteers are the backbone of rugby club’s sustainability
• The volunteer landscape is changing – Clubs must adapt • Youth are not the future – They are the Now! Many thanks for your time this afternoon – we will be in touch with next steps with support materials to bring this to life.