Measuring the impact sport-volunteering has on university students' development [Abstract]

In the UK it is largely accepted that a higher education (HE) alone is no longer sufficient for success in the labour market with some arguing that volunteering has become a commodity sold to young people to enhance their CVs and bridge the gap between attributes gained in education and attributes needed for employment (Annette, 2005; Dean, 2014). However, policies promoting volunteering to university students, both nationally and at individual institutions, are often based on anecdotal evidence as there is a lack of empirical research. Therefore, underpinned by human and social capital theory, this study sought to measure the impact of sports-based volunteering on university students’ development of graduate attributes by addressing the following research questions. Does sport-based volunteering help develop human and social capital in university students? And Do those who have volunteered in sport have greater human and social capital than non-volunteers?