The motivations and experiences of volunteers in Maltese football clubs’ administration

Abstract

Volunteerism in sports, particularly within football clubs, is a vital but often undervalued aspect of community engagement. Despite its economic significance (Bang, 2015) and social impact (Uphoff et al., 2013), research in this area remains limited, particularly in the context of Maltese football clubs. In fact, according to Azzopardi et al. (2022), sports entities make up the majority of registered voluntary organizations in Malta. This study aims to qualitatively explore volunteers' experiences in Malta's local football clubs, identifying motivations, benefits, challenges, and community contributions associated with volunteering. According to semi-structured interviews with participants in this study, volunteers are primarily driven by feelings of community connection and a strong passion for the club. Volunteers, motivated by a sense of community and passion for their clubs, fulfill various roles, including administration, technical support, and social media management. Financially, volunteers significantly reduce costs for clubs, allowing resources to be allocated to essential aspects like player wages and transfers. While volunteering offers numerous benefits, including social capital formation, career development, and personal fulfilment, volunteers also face challenges such as time constraints, limited resources, and feelings of undervaluation. Despite these challenges, volunteers play a crucial role in fostering community engagement and social cohesion within the local football community. Recommendations for policy and practice include recognising and appreciating volunteers, prioritising their well-being, offering training and development opportunities, and ensuring access to adequate resources.