Volunteers are the backbone of sport and recreation in New Zealand. Most clubs and community groups rely on volunteers to stay active and connected.

Without volunteers:

• many clubs wouldn’t be able to run
• communities would lose vital programmes
• future leaders and participants would miss out

Volunteers bring energy, kindness and teamwork. They reflect the communities they serve and help turn local needs into action.

What volunteering gives back

Volunteering isn’t just about giving, it’s about gaining:

• a sense of belonging and wellbeing
• new friendships and social connections
• opportunities to give back to a sport or activity you love.

In 2024, over one million New Zealanders volunteered in sport and recreation. Most said they did it to give back, connect socially, or because they’re passionate about the activity.

Who volunteers and how

Volunteers come from all walks of life. The largest age group is 18–24 year olds.

Most volunteers:

• give 1–5 hours a week
• support clubs, schools and events
• help with coaching, admin, transport and more.

Make your club volunteer-friendly

Having a volunteer coordinator is a smart move. This person should:

• know your club well
• understand what volunteers need
• help create a volunteer management plan.

A good plan makes volunteering easier and more rewarding, for both your club and your volunteers.

Key actions for clubs

To support volunteers, your club can:

• appoint a volunteer coordinator
• create a clear volunteer management plan
• offer training and support
• celebrate and recognise volunteer contributions

Useful resources

Explore these tools and guides to help you recruit, manage and support volunteers. 

Our Integrity section has resources and information to help you build a safe and fair culture within your club, foundational to a positive environment. 

Balance is Better: Focused on youth sport, this addresses coach and parent behaviour, and the impact this has on club culture.

Recruiting and managing volunteers

Volunteers section 

Akitve’s Volunteer Management Toolkit

Find out more 

Volunteering NZ – Best practice resources and guidelines

Sport Integrity New Zealand Te Kanu Raunui. The Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation (Integrity Code) is a key tool to help enhance integrity across sport and recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand.