Part Three – Sports Development as Processes
This part sets out to establish sports development as part of a wider social process of change, which concerns both organisations and individuals. In particular, contributions will concentrate on discussing the role of sport as an agent of social and personal change, as promoted/experienced through social institutions such as the school, sport organisations, family, media and culture (ethnicity). Chapters included in this part:
Sport as an agent for social and personal change by Chris Green
This chapter explores the potential of sport to affect organisational and personal changes. More specifically it discusses how certain visions of sports development translate in changes on the ground and affect the culture, structures and modes of operations of sport organisations as well as the perceptions of different categories of participants.
Mega sporting events and sports development by Milena Parent
The relationship between mega sporting events and sports development is a relatively little understood area. This chapter examines the connection between mega events and various sports development policies and programmes and provides evidence for both successful and less successful initiatives in instituting organisational and personal changes and identifies managerial approaches for planning and utilizing this connection.
Culture and sports development by Laura Hills
This chapter provides the link between subjectivity and sports development. This is achieved by examining how culture (ethnical, national and subculture, e.g. youth) informs people’s perceptions about what constitutes improvement through sport and shapes their involvement in various initiatives. It provides managers with valuable insights into the role of culture in getting people involved in decision making, delivery and participation in sport.
The geographies of sports development: the role of space and place by Emma Wainwright & Nicola Ansell
A central topic which affects the success of sports development policies and practice concerns the meaning and role of places where sport is practiced by individuals. This chapter discusses how people identify with different places and how they use them for personal or community purposes in the process of changing urban/village landscapes and lifestyles.
