Development of evidence-informed recommendations for the training and management of disability sport event volunteers: an application of the AGREE II instrument

Purpose This paper describes how the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument was operationalized to systematically develop evidence-informed recommendations for training and managing volunteers for disability sport events. Design/methodology/approach A combination of methods was used to develop the recommendations, including (1) a review of existing volunteer training resources, (2) a rapid evidence review of the literature and (3) interviews with athletes ( n = 5), volunteers ( n = 14) and sport event organizers ( n = 5). An expert consensus panel ( n = 12) then reviewed and deliberated the evidence to formulate the recommendations. Additional feedback was solicited from external knowledge reviewers ( n = 51) within the disability sport community. Findings Twelve key recommendations were developed, each with detailed parameters specifying who, when, how and what information to include when implementing the recommendations. These recommendations represent an important step toward the harmonization of volunteer training and management practices among Canadian disability sport organizations and events. Originality/value The process used in this paper can help advance collaboration between sport practitioners and researchers and assist with the development of practical recommendations in the disability sport and event sector.