The coalition is a key part of Sport Australia’s Sport Volunteering National Plan which will play a critical role in supporting the sector to develop strategies that help keep our clubs open and our communities active.

The workshop covered some key themes including defining sport volunteering, understanding volunteering across sport and developing a value proposition.

The group also discussed ways to share volunteers’ incredible stories and better understand the resources required to make sport volunteering easier and more accessible at the club level.

Sport Australia’s Director of Sport Programs, Dr Lindsey Reece, chairs the coalition which is made up of a diverse group of individuals from across the country. They bring unique experiences and knowledge from a broad range of sports including golf, badminton, surf lifesaving and cricket. Volunteering Australia is also represented, building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Sport Australia in November 2020.

"It was fantastic to be able to bring the group together for the first time. We have such a broad array of skills and experience in the volunteering space, that I know will be instrumental in delivering a world-class plan for volunteers in sport," Dr Reece said.

"We have a strong focus on attracting, training and retaining volunteers in sport and a critical focus is celebrating the positive impact volunteers make on sport and shining the spotlight on these communities. We’re all excited about what the coalition can achieve."

Sport Australia thanks the following members of the Sport Volunteer Coalition:

• Dr Lindsey Reece, Sport Australia (chair)
• Sarah Wilson^*, Volunteering Australia
• David Brett, Office of Sport, NSW Government
• Jessica Cook, Department of Tourism, Innovation & Sport, QLD Government
• Lisa Hasker, Vicsport
• Adam Weir, Surf Life Saving Australia
• Jamie Parsons, Badminton Australia
• Megan Carr, Golf Australia
• Garry West-Bail, Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability
• Molina Asthana, Multicultural Women in Sport
• Scott Tutton, Cricket Australia

^* Mark Pearce CEO Volunteering Australia joined the first meeting on behalf of Sarah Wilson, and Lisa Hasker was absent.

Read more about volunteering in sport and the Sport Volunteer Coalition.