Client: Badminton England
Project: Game development and volunteer evaluation (2020)
This detailed research process evaluated the strengths, weaknesses and key development requirements of volunteers working for clubs, leagues, county and other structures across the full range of roles assessing factors such as routes into the sport, reasons to start, stay, return etc. The widely completed survey was reinforced by an extensive range of individual/group interviews with BE staff, current volunteers and partner agencies including local authorities, leisure operators and active partnerships.
Report themes included recommendations for substantive change to Badminton’s strategic approach to supporting its volunteer base. We mapped out new volunteer knowledge and skills matrices for clubs and county/league level bodies providing specific programmes to recruit, train and retain people delivering key roles, in particular match officials.
BE implemented a range of strategic actions to address the specific issues evaluated and the process strongly influenced its programme to encourage clubs/leagues to take on the management of premises – looking at key roles, the skills/knowledge required and how this will reinforce badminton’s local viability the face of increasing competition for sports hall space.