EUROPEAN MODELS OF SPORTS VOLUNTEERING AS A RESOURCE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF SPECIALISTS IN PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of adapting European models of sports volunteering to the Ukrainian sports space under conditions of transformation of the physical culture and sports system, European integration processes, and the growing social need for the development of civic participation. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that sports volunteering in European countries is considered not only as an auxiliary activity during sports events, but also as an important social, educational, organizational, and value-based resource for the development of mass sport, sports clubs, inclusive programmes, youth initiatives, and local communities.

The purpose of the article is to provide a theoretical analysis of European models of sports volunteering and to determine the opportunities for their adaptation to the Ukrainian sports space, taking into account the current legal, educational, social, and organizational conditions for the development of physical culture and sports in Ukraine. The study applies the methods of analysis and synthesis of scientific literature, legal acts, and European strategic documents, as well as comparative analysis, systematization, generalization, and the prognostic method.

It is substantiated that the most promising models for the Ukrainian sports space are the club-based, event-based, educational and competence-based, inclusive, and community-regional models of sports volunteering. It is determined that the adaptation of European experience in Ukraine should include the establishment of university centres of sports volunteering, the training of volunteers to support sports and physical culture and health-related events, the recognition of sports volunteering outcomes as part of non-formal education, the involvement of volunteers in adaptive and veteran sports, and the development of ethical and organizational standards for the activities of sports volunteers.

The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using its results in the activities of higher education institutions, sports clubs, public organizations, local self-government bodies, and sports federations to develop a system of training, involvement, and support for sports volunteers.