Volunteers

Volunteers – The Backbone of Staffordshire Rugby

More Than Volunteers – The Backbone of Staffordshire Rugby.

Across Staffordshire, rugby clubs rely on the dedication, commitment and generosity of volunteers who give their time, week after week, to support players, teams and local communities.

Whether coaching on cold Sunday mornings, preparing pitches, organising fixtures, running clubhouses, fundraising, refereeing, supporting player welfare or simply being the person who is always there when needed, volunteers are the foundation upon which our clubs are built.

They create opportunities, develop confidence, strengthen communities and ensure rugby remains welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Staffordshire Rugby is committed to recruiting, supporting, developing and recognising the volunteers who make our game possible.

Volunteering in Rugby – There’s a Role for Everyone

You don’t need to have played rugby to become a valued volunteer.

Our clubs depend on people with a wide variety of interests, skills and experience. Some volunteer regularly, while others contribute a few hours whenever they can.

Opportunities include:

Coaching, team management and supporting young players.
Refereeing and match-day organisation.
Club administration, governance and finance.
Safeguarding, RugbySafe and player welfare.
Grounds, facilities and clubhouse management.
Fundraising, sponsorship, events and communications.
Supporting festivals, competitions and community activities.

Every contribution matters, whether it happens on the pitch, behind the scenes or in the clubhouse.

The RFU provides information about the many opportunities available through its Volunteer Roles guidance.

Interested in volunteering? Contact your local rugby club or Staffordshire Rugby to explore how you could get involved.

Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers

Recruiting and retaining volunteers is one of the most important challenges facing community rugby.

Staffordshire Rugby works with clubs to encourage volunteering, share good practice and help develop sustainable volunteer teams.

Successful recruitment is not simply about filling vacancies. It is about finding the right opportunities for people, welcoming them into the club and making their experience enjoyable and rewarding.

We encourage clubs to:

Identify opportunities for new volunteers, including smaller and shared roles.
Welcome people from outside their existing playing membership.
Provide clear responsibilities and appropriate support.
Avoid placing too much responsibility on too few individuals.
Recognise contributions throughout the season.
Plan for succession so that knowledge and experience are passed on.

The RFU’s Recruit Volunteers resources provide practical guidance to help clubs attract and welcome new people.

A positive volunteering experience is one of the best ways to encourage people to stay involved.

Supporting and Developing Volunteers

Volunteers bring valuable experience to rugby, but they should also have opportunities to learn, develop and build their confidence.

Staffordshire Rugby encourages clubs to support volunteers through appropriate training, mentoring, sharing knowledge and recognising individual development needs.

This might involve helping someone take on their first club role, supporting an experienced volunteer with additional responsibilities or preparing the next generation of club leaders.

Volunteering can also provide opportunities to develop skills in leadership, organisation, communication, teamwork and governance.

The RFU provides Volunteer Development guidance and resources to help volunteers gain the skills and confidence needed for their roles.

Supporting volunteers today helps build stronger clubs for tomorrow.

Celebrating Staffordshire’s Volunteers

The Heart of Rugby Beats Through Its Volunteers.

Recognising volunteers is an important part of what Staffordshire Rugby does.

Each year, Staffordshire Rugby organises its Valued Volunteer Awards , bringing together volunteers, club officials and guests from across the county to celebrate the people who make grassroots rugby possible.

Our annual celebration recognises individuals nominated by their clubs for the exceptional contribution they make, often over many years and frequently without seeking recognition.

These are the people who give their time and energy to ensure rugby continues to thrive in Staffordshire.

The awards recognise not only the extraordinary work carried out behind the scenes, but also the lasting impact volunteers have on players, families and communities.

Our 26th Valued Volunteer Awards Day

In May 2026, Staffordshire Rugby celebrated its 26th Valued Volunteer Awards and Presidents Day at Stafford Rugby Club.

The occasion brought together approximately 100 guests, including club volunteers, county representatives and invited guests, alongside Staffordshire’s senior men’s representative fixture against North Midlands.

It provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding service to rugby, celebrate the achievements of volunteers and bring together people from across the Staffordshire rugby community.

The event also recognised the exceptional standard of volunteering within the county, including Staffordshire volunteers nominated and shortlisted for the RFU’s national volunteer awards.

Our annual celebration reflects a simple principle:

The contribution of volunteers should never be taken for granted.

RFU Volunteer Recognition Programme

Alongside our own county awards, Staffordshire Rugby supports the RFU’s national Volunteer Recognition Programme.

This provides further opportunities for clubs to nominate and celebrate individuals whose dedication makes a difference to rugby.

We encourage clubs to consider the many people whose contributions deserve recognition, including those whose work may not always be visible on match days.

Details of the national programme and its recognition opportunities can be found through the RFU Volunteer Recognition Programme.

Volunteer Support in Staffordshire

Staffordshire Rugby’s Volunteers Lead works with clubs to encourage recruitment, support volunteer development and coordinate opportunities to recognise the people who contribute so much to our game.

Danielle Bayley – Staffordshire Rugby Volunteers Lead

Email: volunteer@staffsrfu.com

Telephone: 07729 512675

Danielle also coordinates Staffordshire Rugby’s annual volunteer recognition activities, working with colleagues and clubs across the county.

Whether your club needs advice on volunteering, you would like to nominate someone for recognition, or you are interested in getting involved yourself, please make contact.

Further Information and Resources

The RFU provides a range of information, guidance and resources to help clubs support their volunteers.

Its Volunteers Resource Hub brings together information on volunteering opportunities, recruitment, development and recognition.

Staffordshire Rugby encourages clubs to make use of these resources, share good practice and support one another in developing strong volunteer teams.