Clubs Queensland submit concerns for decline in volunteers ahead of 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games

Queensland volunteers have rapidly declined with concerns it will come to a head by the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Here’s how Townsville clubs can help.

Townsville Motorboat Yacht Club is holding its first race for the year. The yacht Zoe on a twilight sail. Picture: Evan Morgan

The number of Queensland volunteers has fallen rapidly and the state’s peak body had sounded the alarm on concerns there will not be enough support by the time the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games come around.

An inquiry undertaken by the State Government into Volunteering in Queensland has revealed the total number of volunteers have fallen by 10 per cent since 2020 and the total hours volunteered each month has dropped by 20 per cent.

With Townsville set to co-host the sailing events for the future Games alongside Whitsundays, it will be crucial to the North Queensland region to see an increase in volunteers.

The city will also host some football games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Clubs Queensland, whose clients include Brothers Leagues Club and Cowboys Leagues Club, said the 2032 Games organisers can learn from the 2000 Sydney Games when community clubs played a pivotal role for its visibility and efficiency.

However, the future event would require volunteers spread across greater Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Mackay, Whitsundays as well as Townsville.

Clubs Queensland CEO Kelly Egan said Queensland’s community clubs included all forms of sporting clubs, RSL and services clubs, surf lifesaving supporter clubs, and all forms of special interest clubs totalling a base of 41,500 people.

“Without the club industry’s ‘army’ of volunteers, community clubs could simply not operate,” she said.

“Volunteers are the heart and backbone of many clubs. They contribute in ways that allow clubs to thrive, ensuring that they can serve their members, sustain operations foster participation and deliver a sense of connection and purpose.

“They’re good at what they do and they have a lot to offer as part of the co-ordination of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Especially with these Games to be the most decentralised Games in history, it’s a perfect opportunity for Games organiser to tape into the spirit of community clubs.”

It’s been recommended by Club Queensland that the state government establish a taskforce to explore volunteer opportunities.

Additionally the organisation has submitted that the decline in volunteer members was due to older volunteers taking a step back and not being replaced by younger people.

“Our feedback indicates that with the current cost-of-living pressures, younger Queenslanders need to prioritise paid work to ensure they can get by,” the submission read.

Clubs Queensland have recommended initiatives to increase volunteer numbers which include formalising volunteer-to-career-path programs; financial incentives in the form of concessions including tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses; corporate volunteering opportunities; improving volunteer infrastructure and recognition and promoting volunteer opportunities to younger people.

Originally published as Clubs Queensland submit concerns for decline in volunteers ahead of 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games