CGC25 - The Future of Volunteering in Scottish Rugby FINAL

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.