Volunteer with GBWR

It’s Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of those that give up their time to make a difference in their communities.

As proud partners of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) we are forever impressed by the dedicated team of volunteers that work to grow this vibrant and inclusive sport.

Described by GBWR as “the very lifeblood of the sport”, the organisation is constantly on the lookout for volunteers to help at training sessions and tournaments.

As well as the benefits of giving back to your community, volunteering also provides great experiences and transferable skills. So, if you’re looking for a rewarding and fun opportunity within an inclusive environment, then why not give volunteering with GBWR a go?

What Volunteer Roles are Available?

There are a range of volunteer roles with GBWR available, but demand for each role will depend on the club. Check out some of the roles below:

Mechanic

Mechanics play a huge role in keeping player’s chairs game ready. Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining and repairing specialised rugby wheelchairs. This includes the chairs, wheels, tyres etc.
• Perform pre-game equipment checks and on-the-spot fixes.
• Collaborate with players to customise chairs for optimal performance.

No mechanical experience? No problem! All you need is a willingness to learn and GBWR will teach you the specifics!

Referee

Each wheelchair rugby game requires two referees on court at the same time to ensure all aspects of the game, including try scoring, fouls and violations are seen and controlled.

To volunteer as a referee, you will need to follow a training pathway, starting out as a trainee before working your way up through qualifications.

Table Official

Each game requires four table officials, each with their own individual roles. The roles are:

• Timekeeper, who is responsible for the game clock, meaning they are in control of stoppages such as time-outs and equipment calls.
• Scorekeeper, who is responsible for documenting all statistics on the game, including trys and time-outs taken.
• 40 second clock operator, whose is responsible for resetting the 40 second clock every time the ball changes possession.
• Penalty timekeeper, who is responsible for managing players who enter the penalty bin due to a foul.

Like referees, table officials must also follow a training pathway.

Admin Role

There is a lot of administrative work involved in running sessions and tournaments. If you’re good at handling emails, money, meetings, calls and filing systems etc, then an admin voluntary role could be for you.

Coach

Every team needs a coach, the main responsibilities of being a good GBWR coach are:

• To plan coaching sessions.
• To deliver effective coaching sessions.
• To motivate players and provide technical guidance.
• To be aware of Health & Safety requirements (facility & equipment).
• To support all your volunteers.
• To review and progress your coaching sessions.

Get involved

view the full list of volunteer opportunities with GBWR here.

Learn more about wheelchair rugby and Allied Mobility’s partnership with GBWR here.