International Longevity Centre Global Alliance - Designing the Future of Ageing

11 October 2024

Senior volunteering in the world of sport is as important for associations promoting sporting activity among younger generations as it is for seniors themselves

Volunteering by seniors in the world of sport

The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games have generated a keen interest among the French public, resulting in a significant increase in user registrations in sports clubs. This is a very satisfying observation, as regular physical activity is the key to successful ageing. However, for clubs to meet the various expectations, a strong mobilisation of volunteers, particularly seniors, is necessary. However, the figures show a decrease in the number of their volunteers in sports clubs.

ILC France, in conjunction with The Economic, Social and Environmental Council, is taking up this subject and initiating a national discussion. ILC France commissioned a study entitled “Seniors, volunteers in sport” conducted by Cécile Bazin, Recherche & Solidarités, an associative network of experts. The first results of the study are edifying:

– The volunteer rate among seniors aged 70 and over fell from 34% in 2019 to only 24% in 2024

– The fifty-year-olds (50-59 years old) have a particularly low volunteer rate at 18%

A direct impact on sports associations

The decline in the commitment of seniors, who often occupy key positions in sports clubs, threatens the operation of many organizations. Despite the initiatives taken by the public authorities to encourage youth volunteering, such as civic service or universal national service (SNU), associations are struggling to recruit volunteers.

There is an urgent need to revive the volunteer commitment of seniors.

ILC France wants to contribute to this by launching an initiative “Volunteer commitment of seniors in the world of sport”. A launch meeting on October 24 will analyze in detail the study “Seniors, sports volunteers”, with experts in the presence of journalists. Based on this observation, the partners will build a conference together in 2025. This event will be an opportunity to explore concrete avenues to revitalize volunteering by seniors in sports associations.