Engelberg, Terry, Skinner, James, and Zakus, Dwight (2014) What does commitment mean to volunteers in youth sport organizations? Sport in Society, 17 (1). pp. 52-67.

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Abstract

Youth sport is heavily dependent on volunteers to ensure successful delivery of sport programmes. This paper qualitatively investigated motivations and commitments of volunteers at various stages in their careers. Data were gathered through focus group interviews with 34 participants representing five sports and analysed using the Analysis Method Framework. Probes included volunteers' motivations for volunteering, views of commitment, views on commitment targets, and views on clashes between different types of volunteers. Statements were classified on two key dimensions: commitment to organisational targets, and status as core or casual volunteers. This classification resulted in the creation of a typology describing four types of volunteeers ('Mums and dads', 'Specialists', 'Über-volunteers task-oriented', and 'Über-volunteers team-oriented'). Future research should focus on the application of the volunteer typology for further understanding of how commitment influences volunteer behaviour.

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