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This report, published in July 2003 by Sport England, builds on the base established by the Sports Council in 1995 with the publication of Valuing Volunteers in UK Sport (Sports Council 1996). The 1996 study was the first comprehensive investigation of the scale and value of volunteering in UK sport, conducted by the Leisure Industries Research Centre (LIRC) in Sheffield.
In response to the findings of the Valuing Volunteers research, Sport England provided support for volunteers through the Volunteer Investment Programme (VIP). VIP currently has over 11,500 members in its network, a testimony to the interest in support structures for volunteers.
However, further development of Sport England's and other agencies' support for volunteers in sport requires the updating and development of information about these volunteers - that is the purpose of this research. The aims of the study were to:
- quantify the contribution made to English sport by volunteers, building on the 1995/6 work;
- identify the nature of volunteering in sport in England and the challenges faced by volunteers and volunteer managers;
- identify and evaluate the support provided to sports volunteers and volunteer managers; and
- identify the benefits associated with sports volunteering.
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