VOLUNTEERS' PERCEPTIONS OF BENEFITS DERIVED FROM VOLUNTEERING: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Volunteers form an integral part of the sport industry. The operational and financial success of many major sports events is highly dependent on the benevolent contribution of volunteers. Although several studies have been conducted internationally regarding volunteers, comparatively few empirical studies exist within a South African sports context that investigate the perceived benefits of volunteerism. Hence, the purpose of this study was to elicit responses from volunteers at a major sport event regarding their perceived benefits. The respondents (n = 218) in the study comprised volunteers at the 2006 Federation of African Students Universities (FASU) games. A structured questionnaire comprising 51 items regarding the benefits of volunteering was used in the study. The items in the questionnaire were scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale with 1 anchored at strongly agree and 5 anchored at strongly disagree. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted resulting in four factors (32 variables) viz, social interaction, skill enhancement, personal rewards and personal enrichment being extracted. This study demonstrated that social interaction, skill enhancement, personal rewards and personal enrichment are substantial benefits that volunteers derive through volunteering. In conclusion, the factorial dimensions developed in the study may be employed by sport organisations as a mechanism to attract volunteers by emphasising the salient benefits derived from volunteering. Prospects for future research are also outlined.