School of Management

Rugby World Cup 2011 Volunteer Programme

On this page:

Overview of the Project

We are conducting a longitudinal study of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Team 2011 volunteers. The research is funded by Sport New Zealand (formerly SPARC) and had the support of Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011). However, it is an independent study carried out by researchers from Victoria University of Wellington, AUT University and overseas. About Us.

Why is this research being carried out?

Volunteering at a major event like Rugby World Cup 2011 is a big commitment and an exciting opportunity. Most research on event volunteering only asks volunteers what they think at the time of the event. We are interested in how the reasons for volunteering, the expectations and experiences may change over time so we are surveying volunteers twice before and three times after the tournament. We also want to understand more about the legacy of event volunteering so are asking questions about what other volunteering, sporting and employment activities volunteers are involved in.

The research has been useful to Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ2011), Sport New Zealand (who are funding the project) and major event organisers. It has helped them plan the best possible experience for volunteers, as well as maximising the legacy of event volunteering.

What are the results of the research?

The last round of research is taking place in September 2012 and the final results will be released in early 2013.
The results are now available:

Document
 File size
 File type
Experiences and Legacies of Rugby World Cup 2011 Volunteer Programme  1.57 MB
 PDF
 
“Being part of history in New Zealand”: Motivations, expectations and experiences of RWC 2011 volunteers.		    
 Presentation at Eventing the Future: Association of New Zealand Event Professionals Conference (2/08/12) and Victoria University Tourism Seminar Series (22/08/12)    

Thank you to research participants

Thank you to all Team 2011 volunteers who have taken part in the research. We have had a fantastic response, almost 2,500 respondents took part in Round 3 just after the Tournament – that’s almost half of all the Team 2011 volunteers.

Survey respondents were entered into a prize draw with four winner each round. Winners could chose a $100 voucher or a $100 donation to a charity of their choice. Congratulations to all the winners who have received their prizes.

Round 1: Carolyn (Taranaki), Pat (Palmerston North), Richard (Hawke’s Bay), and Tina (Auckland)

Round 2: Lynne (Dunedin), Judi (Nelson), Joan and Melanie (Auckland)

Round 3: Alex (Nelson), Andrew (Havelock North), Peter (Napier), and Phil (Manawatu)

Round 4: David (Papakura), Heike (Dunedin), Leonie (Hamilton), and Sue (Auckland)

 

About Us

The research team is headed by Dr Karen Smith, a Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management Victoria University of Wellington.  Karen’s research concerns the management of volunteers in events, sports, and tourist attractions.

If you want to get in touch, click here

She is working with Dr Geoff Dickson from AUT University.

We also have a team of advisors from overseas universities.