Volunteers are critical to Sportable's success. Our athletes depend on the enthusiasm and support of our volunteers. Prior experience in sports and/or working with people with physical disabilities is not required to volunteer.
Questions about becoming a Sportable volunteer? Contact Michelle Page at michelle@sportable.org or 804-340-2991.
Volunteer FAQs
When you register to volunteer at Sportable, you're helping us fulfill our mission of making sports accessible and inclusive. We serve individuals in the Greater Richmond Community with physical disabilities and visual impairments. Our programs are set up by sport and season and range from rock climbing to power soccer to basketball, and everything in between. Throughout a season you'll assist athletes and programming in a variety of ways, like setting up guards on power chairs or helping carry out practice drills. No prior experience necessary!
We require all volunteers to take a Volunteer Training session before they begin. The sport-specific training gives volunteers information about the program, their duties at the program, some basic equipment information, and disability etiquette.
Currently, these trainings are in-person before a season starts. We are in the process of creating online training videos, so that you can train wherever you are, whenever you want! Visit sportable.org/volunteer-training to view the videos that are live.
We recommend that you wear comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers to practices. For aquatics and swimming, swimwear is required.
Bring water and snacks as needed. For outdoor programs, we recommend sunscreen and sunglasses. Wear layers and/or coats appropriate for the weather.
Do you have an inconsistent schedule or difficulty committing for an entire season? Check out the information about our Substitute Roster below!
We require all of our program volunteers to be at least 14 years of age. Some programs may require volunteers to be older than 14.
Youth Volunteers aged 14-15 are
- Required to have a parent or guardian present with them at all times. This parent or guardian is required to be a registered volunteer with a background check and completed mandated reporter training on file.
- Not required to submit a background check or complete the CPS Mandated Reporter Training.
Youth Volunteers aged 16-17 are
- Required to submit a background check
- Not required to complete the CPS Mandated Reporter Training
- Not required to have a parent on site
Some programs may have additional requirements that apply to volunteers of all ages (e.g. Rock Climbing requires all volunteers be belay certified with Peak Experiences).
This policy was implemented as a part of our sexual abuse prevention work with the Virginia Department of Health. Our goal is to help create a safe environment for our youth volunteers.
- Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
- A Guide for Mandated Reporters In Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
- Information Needed to Make a Report
- Recognizing, Reporting, and Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in Virginia (English)
- Reconocer, denunciar y evitar El maltrato y descuido infantil en Virginia (Spanish)
- Responsibilities of Mandated Reporters
- For more resources and telephone services for reporting (text telephone, Visually Assisted Speed-to-Speech, Captioned Telephone Service, Spanish, etc.), please visit the Department of Social Services website by clicking here.
Yes! Visit our Volunteer Appreciation Note page. Our program team will send on to the volunteer you've thanked!
We have a few events throughout the year that are a great fit for group volunteers! Examples below:
- River City Slam - wheelchair tennis tournament
- River City Classic - wheelchair basketball tournament
- Adaptive Sports Festival
We also have an Adopt a Program option that allows groups to commit a number of volunteers to a program per week. Click here to learn more!
Don’t see your volunteer questions answered on this page? Contact our Program Team at programs@sportable.org.
Ready, Set, Go!
Now that you’re at the starting line … you will need to complete the Volunteer Application and the Volunteer Requirements for your age group.
Complete CPS Mandated Reporter Training
Volunteers 18+ with a Sports and Recreation Organization are considered Mandated Reporters and are REQUIRED by state law to report suspected abuse and neglect of a youth.
To ensure you understand the law and how to report, our adult volunteers are REQUIRED to take the state’s Mandated Reporter training.
- CLICK HERE to take the CPS Mandated Reporter Training
- Keep your certificate handy! You'll submit it in the next step, the Volunteer Application.
- Completed the training after your application? Submit your certificate HERE.
Want to know more about the law? Click on the two links below:
- CLICK HERE to take the CPS Mandated Reporter Training
Complete the Volunteer Application
Fill out the application HERE.
Note: PARENTS AND YOUTH VOLUNTEERS MUST FILL OUT SEPARATE APPLICATIONS. DO NOT SUBMIT ONE APPLICATION FOR TWO PEOPLE.
Volunteer Background Check
Background checks are required for volunteers 16 and older and must be completed every two years. You can submit a background check, free of charge, via the Volunteer Application.
Choose Your Program
Once you have your account, check out our volunteer opportunities and sign up for programs HERE!
- Not sure which program to choose? Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form
Substitute Roster
Sportable's Substitute Volunteer Roster is designed for you if you are willing to jump in on short notice and help out with any program that finds itself in short supply of volunteers on a case-by-case basis.
This is a great opportunity for you if you have an inconsistent schedule or difficulty committing to the entirety of a sport program’s season, but still want to get involved.
You are not committing to any one date or sport program by registering to be a Substitute Volunteer. You are putting your name on a list to be contacted when last minute volunteers are needed. We tend to be able to reach out either the day before or a few hours before a program.
If this sounds like the right fit for you, click here to register.
Once you register, you’ll receive an email from michelle@sportable.org with the mandated reporter training and the current background check form if you do not have them on file with us.
Additional Resources
