MSA launches Volunteers
MSA launches Volunteers in Motorsport at Autosport
International
The Motor Sports Association officially launched its ambitious
five-year programme to increase significantly the numbers
of volunteer officials and marshals in both two- and four-wheeled
motor sport at this week's Autosport International show at
the NEC.
Volunteers in Motorsport represents the first ever centrally
co-ordinated activity to address the issues of recruitment,
retention, training and development among the essential motor
sport volunteer community.
It is the first sporting initiative to secure government funding,
securing £150,000 from the Motorsport Development Board,
supported by matched funding from the MSA's Motor Sports Training
Trust.
Volunteers in Motorsport will cover four key areas: a recruitment
campaign to increase numbers across the sport; a retention
strategy to recognise experience, increase motivation and
reduce further decline; a national programme to provide relevant,
structured and professional training that is accessible to
all; and a framework for schemes that recognise personal development
and simplify the process of cross-discipline participation.
Running parallel to this, the MSA will be looking at marshals'
welfare, such as the provision of better facilities, in order
to improve the environment for volunteers.
"The thousands of volunteers are absolutely essential
to our sport," said Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive,
on the central Autosport stage on Thursday afternoon. "Volunteers
in Motorsport represents the first concerted effort to address
the very serious issue of declining numbers among this dedicated
band of people, both in terms of recruitment and retention."
"We are really excited to get this programme up and running,"
said Sue Sanders-Peppitt who is co-ordinating Volunteers in
Motorsport for the MSA. "We have already seen a lot of
interest on the stand today from both existing and potential
marshals and also marshalling clubs who can see how this will
benefit them. I hope that this scheme not only attracts new
people to come and join the ranks, but also reinvigorates
those already involved."
A new leaflet outlining the Volunteers in Motorsport programme
can be found on the MSA stand throughout this weekend's show.
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