OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE
There are a wide range of opportunities available for students to volunteer with community clubs and partners across the city. Many sports clubs rely on volunteers to deliver activities and widen participation. Below you can find more information about volunteering in a range of sports with partners across the city. These projects are externally managed so the recruitment, training and support processes are not managed directly by university staff but projects have been vetted to ensure students can expect a positive and supportive experience. Volunteering in the Leeds community is fun and rewarding and you will be helping local people to live more active lives as well as broadening your own horizons and developing new skills. Change lives (not just theirs, yours too!).
CURRENT PROJECTS
HYDE PARK FOOTBALL CLUB
Hyde Park FC is a charity football club based just off campus. The club is diverse and fast growing with over 300 members. It caters for children from the age of 3 as well has having 3 men’s teams and a women’s team. The club are seeking volunteers to support with coaching as well as volunteers who would like to support with club admin, promotion and fundraising. Volunteering with HPFC is rewarding and offers fantastic leadership opportunities with students occupying key roles in the club including President and Secretary. The club can also support students to progress on FA coaching pathways. Find out more about HPFC here.
LET’S DO MORE BASKETBALL
Let’s Do More basketball CIC deliver sessions across the city, offering young people opportunities to engage positively through sport. LDM describe themselves as a socially inspired organisation which uses sport as a means to engage, empower and raise aspirations in young people living in some of the most deprived communities in Leeds. Opportunities are provided for players from all backgrounds from grassroots to elite pathways. LDM are seeking coaches to support the delivery of their ever-growing portfolio of weekly sessions but can also offer a social media placement for a student interested in helping raise awareness of their work. You can read the full role descriptions here.
LEO’S RUGBY CLUB
Leodiensian RUFC are an amateur rugby union club based just north of Leeds in Alwoodley offering rugby training for all ages. They are seeking students to support their coaches with the delivery of sessions for children aged 6-13 years. The sessions run on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. The club is at the heart of it’s community and can offer volunteers networking & internship opportunities with local businesses as well as kit, lifts to/from training and support with gaining formal RFU qualifications. You can read more about the club here.
GOODGYM LEEDS
Goodgym helps you get fit whilst doing good! They’re a group of like-minded runners that combine their run with helping their community. The group aims to tackle localised social issues such as isolation and loneliness whilst also picking up good deeds and squeezing in a workout! The role is flexible so it is ideal if you’re looking to do some volunteering without making a weekly commitment. There are different types of volunteering you can get involved in depending on your schedule including group runs and individual runs where you pop in on a local elderly person for a chat! You can sign up for upcoming Goodgym sessions here.
WEST YORKSHIRE GOALBALL CLUB
West Yorkshire Goalball club run regular sessions and tournaments throughout the year at the Edge. Goalball is a Paralympic sport for those with visual impairments but anyone can play as all players are required to wear eye shades during play. Enthusiastic volunteers are needed to assist with the sessions and no prior knowledge of the sport is required as support will be provided from qualified coaches and members. Visual awareness training will also be provided. The volunteer role will include guiding those with visual impairments around the facility and within the session, delivering activities and playing the role of ball person! Read more about WYGC here.
BROWNLEE FOUNDATION
The Brownlee Foundation aim to provide opportunities for the next generation of triathletes. Weekly ‘Bike & Run’ sessions for children aged 8-14 are delivered at the Brownlee Centre (named after our world famous alumni). You’ll support a qualified coach to deliver these fun, inclusive sessions for all abilities and experience levels on the one mile, enclosed cycle circuit. The sessions run every Wednesday from 5.30-6.30pm during term time. Find out more about the foundation here.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- The commitment varies from project to project but most community groups will be looking for a weekly commitment with some flexibility around your academic timetable
- Contribute to the development and sustainability of community sport in Leeds
- Represent the University & Leeds Sport in a positive manner
- Maintain open lines of communication with the Leeds Sport team and the partner organisation
- Attend all training required for your project as outlined by the partner organisation
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- For most projects you do not need any pre-existing skills or qualifications and training will be provided
- Enthusiasm & energy
- Good communication skills
- Reliable, Trustworthy and Open-minded
SKILLS DEVELOPED
Communication, Team Working, Leadership, Flexibility, Planning & Organisation, Independent working, Time management, Resilience.
TRAINING & SUPPORT
For external roles training & support will be provided by the partner organisation and outlined to you in the recruitment process. All organisations have been vetted so you can expect a good level of support within your role. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact Lauren Havercroft, Sports Volunteering Officer on l.havercroft@leeds.ac.uk to discuss.
REWARD & RECOGNITION
The time and skills that you provide to the Leeds community are invaluable and we make every effort to ensure you feel appreciated in your role. Leeds Sport is invested in retaining volunteers and ensuring their volunteering is a supportive, high-quality experience working to the common aims of growing community sports participation and developing student skills. Reward and recognition will vary from partner to partner but may include:
- A uniform or kit to wear when volunteering
- Access to all training required to complete the role
- Travel expenses
COMMITMENT
Commitment varies from project to project but ideally you will be able to commit to all of the training outlined to you in the recruitment stage as well as the agreed delivery times. If you are likely to find this commitment difficult, please speak to the point of contact at the relevant organisation.
GET INVOLVED
Online applications for these roles are open throughout the year. If you are interested in any of the above roles fill in the application form below and the Sports Volunteering Officer will get in contact with you to discuss the role and your application in more detail.
Please note – These are external roles and volunteers will be responsible to the external partner organisation. Many of these roles will require a DBS check which will be processed by the Leeds Sport team ahead of your deployment
