Motivations of Sports Volunteers at the 2023 European Games in Poland

Mateusz Rozmiarek,Joanna Poczta,Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko

doi:10.3390/su13116406

Mateusz Rozmiarek, Joanna Poczta + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116406

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Abstract

Volunteering is fundamental in the organization of sporting events of any rank, and there is no doubt that without volunteers, the realization of such events would not be possible. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between selected socio-demographic factors (gender, age, place of residence, professional activity, and—rarely researched—previous experience in sports volunteering) and the motivation of people who have signed up to be volunteers at the 2023 European Games in Poland. In total, 535 respondents completed the Olympic Volunteer Motivation Scale (OVMS) designed to assess the motivation of volunteers at multi-sport events in the Olympic tradition. A questionnaire survey was conducted among a group of students of the University of Physical Education in Krakow, who had signed up as volunteers via an online form. The respondents were required to provide data on their gender, age, place of residence, professional activities, and sports volunteering experience. The volunteers’ motivations did not differ with regard to gender, place of residence, and professional activity; however, significant differences were found with regard to sports volunteering experiences. The scores by respondents with previous experience in sports volunteering were the highest for the Olympic related, egoistic, and purposive scales of the OVMS. The research findings can be used by sports event organizers to improve the effectiveness of volunteer recruitment and management strategies. Understanding the factors that encourage potential candidates to volunteer may also facilitate collaboration with them during future events.

Highlights

Due to the fact that in 2023, an event under the Olympic banner will be held for the first time in the history of Poland, the authors of this article decided that the best scale for the study would be the Olympic Volunteer Motivation Scale (OVMS)—the only scale containing the Olympicrelated dimension
The present study focused on the identification of motivational factors of volunteers during a large-scale sports event—the European Games 2023 to be held in Krakow, Lesser
The satisfaction with voluntary participation in a sport event is of great significance; it is important to support volunteers, keep in touch with them, and encourage them to cooperate

Summary

Introduction

The organization of large or mega-sport events is complex and involves a multitude of tasks, including logistics and safety, whose execution often depends on a large number of volunteers [1]. The role of volunteers is commonly recognized as adding the important, social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions to the efficient organization of mega-sport events [2]. Volunteers are an essential component of services delivery and management of sports events, and their involvement produces a number of long-lasting and sustainable positive effects and contributes to the ultimate success of the event [3]. This is especially appreciated by the International Olympic Committee. In 2002, the Committee began to form the concept of legacy, which, along with the concept of the sustainable development of sport, has become an essential part of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic

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