Selected Motivations of Student Sports Volunteers in Terms of Professional Activity and Previous Volunteering Experience

Abstract

Involvement in sports volunteering is not only a way to improve mental health by increasing a sense of appreciation or respect, but it also allows participants to take on an individual challenge, meet new people, or gain specific knowledge. The aim of this study was to analyze selected motivations of students from the University of Physical Education in Krakow to get involved in sports volunteering during the 2023 European Games organized in their city and verifying them in terms of gender, age, previous volunteering experience, and pursuing a career. A total of 535 students took part in the survey, of whom 52.71% (282) were female, and 47.29% (253) were male. Selected motivation statements were indicated by respondents through a 5-point Likert scale. The results of the completed study confirmed that pursuing a professional career alongside studies and previous experience in sports volunteering had an impact on undertaking sports volunteering (F = 11.754; r = 0.674; p = 0.003 and F = 10.241; r = 0.611; p = 0.002). The obtained research results may be important for sports psychologists and organizers of sports events in the context of recruiting volunteers or improving the process of managing sports volunteering.

Polish adaptation of the Sports Tourism Motivation Scale (STMS) in the context of understanding Socio-Cultural, Nature and Tourism-Related Motivation among athletes

“…Studies related to this aspect have been carried out both during mega sporting events, such as the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, as well as during local events. Many volunteers want to participate in sporting events because of their well-being, good mental health, and the opportunity to increase their self-confidence and integrate with others with like-minded interests [58][59][60]. Studies have also shown that the motivation to participate in sporting events depends on the type of event and the form in which it is organized.…”