Motivation and commitment of volunteers at parkrun events

Purpose Effective organisation and delivery of parkrun events are entirely reliant on the services provided by volunteers. We explore the motivations and commitment of volunteers who provide these services to further our understanding of volunteers at sport events. Research design This study explores motivations and commitment to volunteer at weekly parkrun events in Worcester, UK. Data was collected from 92 participants using the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ) and a motivation survey. Findings Results demonstrate a high commitment to volunteering at parkrun whilst also demonstrating high levels of intrinsic and overall motivation. Differences were also found between males and females motivations to volunteer. Practical Implications Potential mechanisms explaining these differences are discussed to identify future research priorities that may help to develop sustainable strategies to retain and recruit volunteers to parkrun events. Research Contribution This study identifies demographic differences in sport volunteers at parkrun and suggests that volunteering may not be perceived as leisure

Differences in Men and Women Volunteers Within a Parkrun Environment

This study investigates potential differences in motivation and commitment between men and women volunteering in local parkrun communities. After receiving ethical approval from the academic institution and parkrun Research Board, 92 volunteers (male n=45; female n=47) completed an online survey comprising demographic information (age, employment status, gender), the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (Mowday et al. 1982; MacLean & Hamm 2007) and the volunteer motivation questionnaire (Strigas & Jackson 2003). Data were analysed for differences in men and women’s commitment and motivation responses using Mann-Whitney U tests. The results indicate significant differences in leisure, egoistic and pride for women in terms of motivation and commitment to volunteer. Furthermore, across all of the subscales measured, women reported generally higher levels of motivation and commitment to parkrun events than men. The significantly higher pride, egoistic and leisure motivations may reflect a greater desire for social approval amongst the women volunteers through perceptions of being valued within the parkrun environment. This aligns with the parkrun philosophy which creates a welcoming and indeed highly valued approach for all it’s volunteers which women seem to welcome significantly more than men

A participant centred approach to understanding athletics in the UK: using 'mobile' methodologies

This project investigates the state of grassroots athletics in the UK from the perspective of coaches and officials over the course of a calendar year. Utilising a longitudinal study design provides an effective means to understand how experiences vary in light of changing schedule of club training demands, organisational pressures and infrastructure and resource demands within the sport. The aims of the study are: 1) To discover what it means to be a coach and/or official within athletics in the UK; 2) To develop understanding and context to the complexities of (voluntary) working within athletics in the UK; and 3) To reveal perspectives of the athletics eco system to develop recommendations for future practice. Subsequently, there is a three 3-step approach to data collection: Step 1) Contextual participant generated photographs which will be accompanied by a piece of writing in a diary of the participants choosing. Step 2) Go-along interviews and observations with each participant. And Step 3: Photo elicitation interviews. Findings will be outlined from the halfway point of data collection and will focus on preliminary findings from Step 1 and Step 2 of the method

Skateboard, BMX freestyle, and sport climbing communities’ responses to their sports’ inclusion in the Olympic Games

Research aim This study seeks to identify responses to Olympic inclusion from within the skateboarding, BMX freestyle and sport climbing communities, through the lens of Organisational Identity Theory. Research methods Using Organisational Identity Theory, this study identifies commonalities from three action sports communities through 21 responses to an online survey and nine semi-structured interviews. Results and findings The study finds themes of freedom, openness of opportunity, distinctiveness, rebelliousness, and distrust of media are central to the identity of each sport. The study highlights concern about organisational sell-out and decisions being made without respect to tradition. Furthermore, participants felt the sport’s identity challenged by an increased focus on competition. Implications The study recommends that shared attributes of organisational identity might form the basis for collaboration between action sports communities when working with large organisational structures such as the International Olympic Committee

Educating Generation Z About Gender Equality in Sport

The GETZ (Gender Equality Toolkit for Generation Z) project aims to develop, deliver and evaluate an innovative educational resource specifically designed for generation z on the issues relating to gender equality and equal opportunities in sport. In order to understand the perceptions, attitudes and actions related to gender equality and equal opportunities in sport among generation z, undergraduate students from four research institutions involved in the GETZ-project were recruited and a total of eight focus groups were conducted. Data was elicited thought questions regarding: (1)Their perceptions and experiences of gender equality; (2) Personal commitment and attitudes to gender equality; and (3) Any specific actions they had taken or behaviours they had engaged in to promote gender equality or alleviate gender inequality. These questions were informed by the pre-agreed MOOC units of the GETZ Toolkit which are: Culture & Society, Governance & Law, Commerce, Media, Participation, and Events. Preliminary findings indicate that there were common perceptions and experiences among students from Generation Z across all four participating institutions and countries and that there was an outspoken advantage for males in the sport industry, in terms of governance, media and behaviour

Evaluating learning from the gender equality toolkit for Generation Z (GETZ) MOOC.

This study aimed to discover to what extent participants of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) developed knowledge and understanding of gender inequity in sports leadership resulting in a motivation to extend their studies further, and/or a desire to be involved in sport governance or leadership roles. The study objectives were to: 1) explore the degree to which the MOOC may enhance understanding of gender imbalance; 2) evaluate any perceived behaviour change in relation to gender equity; and 3) examine in what way the MOOC may have motivated students to become involved in leadership and governance in sport. Thirteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in Higher Education Institutions in Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, and United Kingdom. All participants had to have completed the MOOC. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted following a deductive approach in congruence with the research objectives, followed by a further review related to self-determination theory and the themes of relatedness, competence, and autonomy. The resulting themes which shape the discussion relate to empowerment, awareness, and influence. Initial findings suggest that participants reflected on their past experiences of sport and considered their family and educational background to have significant impact on their view of gender equity in sport. The MOOC created a platform for participants to challenge and debate on topics related to power dynamics and growing their awareness of gender (in)equity. Practical implications are that utilising an online educational resource such as a MOOC can be utilized within a blended approach to teaching in Higher Education and, can enable students to speak out boldly and act for change on the challenges of gender equity in sport