Torch Trophy Trust - Passion for volunteering in sport and recreation sector still burns bright

In his latest blog, Communications Officer, David Callan talks about his experience at the 52nd Torch Trophy Trust awards and the spirit of volunteering.

I had the honour of being at the Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall this week to see and meet the award winners of the 52nd Torch Trophy Trust Awards.

The Torch Trophy Trust is a charity that recognises and rewards volunteers in sport and recreation. Here at the Alliance, we provide administrative support to the charity. Its history stems from the 1948 Olympics, where two torches were made for the last leg of the Olympic relay. One of those torches, which resides at Alliance HQ, became the symbol of the Trust when it was founded in 1962.

The fact the Trust has been in existence for so long emphasises just how important volunteers have always been to the sport and recreation sector, particularly at a grassroots level. It also partly explains why events such as the London 2012 Olympics, this year’s Rugby World Cup and campaigns like Step Up To Serve have all seen huge numbers of individuals and organisations devote their time towards volunteering.

What was particularly inspiring about the winners from this year’s awards ceremony was their diversity. There were winners in their eighties and winners in their teens. From coaching, contract negotiations, construction work, committee corralling, executive decision-making, match day duties, the range of activities that these individuals undertook, all in their own free time, was astounding.

You can find a full list of the winners here, but I really wanted to get some first-hand insight into why they volunteered, why they felt it was important and how we can encourage greater numbers of people to do the same.

Talking to Gill Jacobs and Caroline Spanton, winners nominated by Swim Wales and Welsh Rowing respectively, a personal sense of duty and passion featured prominently behind their volunteering efforts.

“Rowing is something I’m passionate about and when there was a need for somebody to stepup and help the organisation when it was in need, I felt I couldn’t let the organisation, clubs and people down”, said Caroline, who stepped into the breach as Chair when several board and senior executives stepped down in the space of a month.

For Gill, it was a gentler integration into the fabric of Swim Wales but no less personal. She took her son and nephews swimming at her local club. As she became a familiar face, she would be asked and gradually take it upon herself to do tasks, such as being poolside.

“It’s about ensuring the club and ultimately that the swimmers can enjoy the facilities and sport. If the small tasks don’t get done, then this can’t happen”.

Speaking to John Mulliss, nominated by Table Tennis England, he said the aim is, “to ensure continuity. Both that the clubs and local sports scene are in a stable position and able to serve the next generation”.

The next generation. As a sector, sport and recreation always looks to the next generation, particularly when it comes to elite athletes and high-performance sport. While these are necessarily key, the next generation of volunteers are just as vital and they come from the same pool (not a swimming pun) as the future stars.

Gill Jacobs introduced me to the Swim Wales Hour Bank, whereby for every hour an individual clocks doing volunteer work, they can claim rewards for themselves and their club.
“It’s about encouraging them to think about volunteer work at an early age. Not everybody who takes to the water will become an elite swimmer, but that doesn’t mean they should turn away from the sport. They should think about how they can give back and continue the cycle”.

It’s a sentiment that was supported by Caroline Spanton. She talked to me about the elite athletes performing administrative duties while at training centres.

“Elite athletes benefit from developing skills that will aid them in their career, perhaps when they come to retire. By giving back, especially around the training complex, they act as inspirations to future generations and also it helps to foster a feeling of everyone working together.”

I’ll leave the last word to Maurice Vaughan, a man who has devoted 80 years to his local cricket club of Etwall in Derbyshire. His list of roles include but is not limited to grounds man, ad-hoc treasurer, social officer and labourer. Fittingly the clubhouse is called the Vaughan Pavilion.

When I asked what he would say to someone who was mulling over whether to volunteer at their local sport or community club, he simply said, with a sparkle in his eye, “get involved”.

The passion for volunteering in the sport and recreation sector is still burning as bright as ever and the night was a fine toast to everybody who gives their time to make participation possible.

Find out more about the sector's commitment to encouraging volunteering and youth social action as part of the Step Up To Serve campaign. You can also pledge directly through our website here.

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