Volunteering in community-based sports clubs: A refined insight into the role of commitment

Abstract

Sports club volunteerism transcends mere organizational support, enriching the lives of volunteers and the wider community. Despite its profound impact, many sports clubs struggle with effectively mobilizing and retaining volunteers. Hence, this study utilized partial correlational and cluster analyses to explore how volunteers' affective commitment (i.e., emotional attachment) and normative commitment (i.e., moral duty) relate to their work effort and the intention to sustain their volunteer work over an extended period of time. A total of 355 volunteers from Flemish sports clubs participated in this study. Partial correlational results revealed a strong link between affective commitment and both volunteer work effort and long-term involvement. However, cluster analyses revealed a more nuanced picture, identifying four distinct commitment profiles: fully committed, affective commitment (AC) dominant, moderately fully committed, and weakly committed. Comparing these profiles in terms of volunteer outcomes indicated that, while affective commitment was the primary driver of work effort, normative commitment played a crucial role in sustaining volunteer involvement when combined with affective commitment. For sports clubs, these findings emphasize the importance of fostering both affective and normative commitment by creating an inclusive and values-oriented environment. Additionally, recognizing and understanding volunteers' commitment profiles can inform tailored support strategies, ultimately ensuring a sustainable future for the community.