S
outh Australia is stepping up efforts to attract more young people into sports volunteering, with hundreds of students gathering in Adelaide this week to explore pathways into community sport and major events.
More than 700 students from 25 high schools, along with tertiary and international students, attended the Heart of the Community Sport Volunteer Expo at the South Australian Sports Institute during National Volunteer Week.
The event brought together more than 30 organisations from across the sporting sector, including Netball SA, Athletics SA, the Adelaide Football Club, Port Adelaide Football Club and the Adelaide 36ers. Universities and training providers also took part, promoting volunteering opportunities linked to coaching, officiating, administration, event operations and media roles.
The SA Government says the initiative forms part of a broader push to encourage young people away from screens and into community activities, while also helping sporting organisations facing ongoing volunteer shortages.
Sport and recreation groups across Australia have increasingly reported difficulties attracting and retaining volunteers since the pandemic, particularly at grassroots level where clubs rely heavily on unpaid support to run competitions, canteens and junior programs.
South Australia is also preparing to host a series of major sporting events in coming years, including the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027, adding further demand for trained volunteers with event experience.
Among those speaking at the expo was 15-year-old volunteer Mia Lombardi-Marrone, who shared her experience volunteering at the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide. Mia, who worked as the event mascot “Diggy”, said volunteering had helped shape her ambition to pursue a career in sport.
She said starting locally at community clubs was often the easiest way for young people to get involved.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Rhiannon Pearce said volunteering gave young people opportunities to build confidence, leadership skills and community connections.
Lucy Hood said encouraging more students into hands-on community roles was part of efforts to reduce screen time and increase participation in local activities.
The state government has committed $1 million to expand the Student Volunteer Award Program through Volunteering SA&NT. The program allows students to gain formal recognition for volunteer work, with Year 11 students able to receive SACE credits.
Organisers say the expo was designed to show students that volunteering can also create pathways into future employment, education and involvement in large-scale sporting events, particularly as Australia prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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