Motivation and commitment of volunteers at parkrun events

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Effective organisation and delivery of parkrun events are entirely reliant on the services provided by volunteers. We explore the motivations and commitment of volunteers who provide these services to further our understanding of volunteers at sport events.

Research design

This study explores motivations and commitment to volunteer at weekly parkrun events in Worcester, UK. Data was collected from 92 participants using the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ) and a motivation survey.

Findings

Results demonstrate a high commitment to volunteering at parkrun whilst also demonstrating high levels of intrinsic and overall motivation. Differences were also found between males and females motivations to volunteer.

Practical Implications

Potential mechanisms explaining these differences are discussed to identify future research priorities that may help to develop sustainable strategies to retain and recruit volunteers to parkrun events.

Research Contribution

This study identifies demographic differences in sport volunteers at parkrun and suggests that volunteering may not be perceived as leisure.

KEYWORDS:

• Volunteering
• events
• parkrun
• motivations
• leisure

Acknowledgements

This project was approved through the parkrun Research Board; acknowledgements to them and the parkrun volunteers for enabling this research to be carried out.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).