Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Sports Volunteer Programme?
The Sports Volunteer Programme aims to engage students of Newcastle University within the local community through voluntary work in sport.
What do Sports volunteers do?
Most volunteers coach, this could be with an after school club or through school PE. Opportunities are also available to work with disengaged groups in the community and work on events run by the University. There are other volunteering roles available which are related to sport i.e. mentoring, event promotion.
Where will I volunteer?
Most volunteering will take place in the Newcastle area, however there will be opportunities available to volunteer in the surrounding areas of the city, i.e. Gateshead, Northumberland and North Tyneside
How much commitment is involved?
How many hours you commit to is entirely down to you and what you are able / prepared to volunteer. Most people give between 1-2 hours per week. The number of hours you can dedicate to volunteering may vary depending on the time of year or your other commitments (i.e. course work / paid work), it is best not to over commit and then fail to deliver the hours promised, sometimes the quality is more important than the quantity.
Can I arrange my own volunteering?
We do have a wide variety of volunteering opportunities available to our students, however if none of these are suitable and you would like to source your own placement with a club, school or group that we don’t currently have a link with the programme will still support your volunteering.
How much will volunteering cost?
Nothing. The Sports Volunteer Programme will cover the costs of your travel and contribute towards suitable clothing and National Governing Body / Coaching Qualifications.
Do I have to play or be good at a sport?
Not at all. Often only a basic level of skill is needed in the particular sport for you to become a volunteer. A successful Sports Volunteer needs to be motivated, enthusiastic, good at communicating and enjoy working as part of a team.
