Sport and Mass Participation (Is it possible?)

Why do the government promote ‘sport for all’ policies?

Sport for all policies promote the idea that everyone should have a chance to take part in sport regardless of where they live, ability, age, wealth, gender, race or religion.

Health benefits / reduces health costs

Integrates society and kills stereotypes

Increases the base of the performance pyramid.

Schemes such as Sport England’s Active Schools, Active Sports and Active Communities have helped to achieve this.

Facilities for Mass Participation

Come under 3 main categories:

Private or Entrepreneurial

Voluntary

Public

e.g Fitness First, Lloyds Health Clubs,

Local Sports Clubs

Leisure facilities run by local authorities e.g de Stafford Sports Centre

Why is ‘Sport for All’ not a reality?

This is due to a lack of opportunity, provision and esteem

Opportunity: People may not be able to play sport because of a lack of money or time or because of the attitudes of friends and relatives.

Think of some examples?

Provision: Provision includes the presence or absence of appropriate activities, space, transport, equipment and specialist facilities.

Think of some examples of types people or activities where this can be a problem

Esteem: Levels of self confidence and the perception that others have of an individual will affect the likelihood of their participation.

Stacking can be evident where the dominant group in society is at the top of the stack and has greater opportunity than those lower down the pecking order.

Discrimination in Sport

What groups are discriminated against in sport?

Social Influences on Participation / Non Participation

• Stereotyping - Have you ever heard people say ‘white men can’t jump’ or ‘black people can’t swim’? These are stereotypes. People are put into categories regardless of their sporting ability but purely on their race, gender, physical build etc.

Cullen JonesMugsy BoguesSteve Nash

Attitudes

Discrimination

Stereotypes

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Myths

Black people are only good at power events as they have more muscle bulk.

White people are better at technical sport as they are not suited to power events.

• Black people can’t swim. • White men can’t jump

Only certain groups should play certain sports

Groups are prevented from playing their sports based on incorrect stereotypes and myths.

If you are always told you are no good at something, you will start to believe it and live up to it.

Social Influences on Participation / Non Social Influences on Participation / Non Participation.Participation.

• Income and economic status – An increase in disposable income has increased economic prosperity recently. Other factors include:

• More paid holidays mean more time to spend on sport.

• Higher levels of pay allow more money to spend on sport.

• Newly affluent people tend to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

• People can now travel more widely to participate in and watch sport.

However not everyone has benefited from increased prosperity, these include:

• Single parents.

• Socially excluded groups – Unemployed, disaffected young people

• Rural communities – low incomes, lack of facilities and transport.

• Social Class – People from different classes tend to play different sports. Can you imagine Mike Tyson playing cricket or Andrew Strauss boxing?

Sport can help people to move classes. The best example is David Beckham

Social Influences on Participation / Non Participation

He was born in to an average London family and now earns over £20 million per year whilst socialising with the rich and famous.

This has been made possible purely through footballing success.

FactorFactor What is the issue?What is the issue? What is being What is being done?done?

Women Women have always had to fight the attitude that playing sport was too masculine. Women receive less than 5% of men’s coverage in national newspapers. Sporting audience is predominantly male who prefer power, speed and dynamism. Majority of presenters, editors and journalists are male. Problem of self fulfilling prophecies.Women get less prize money (sometimes only 10% of the males). Families and communities are not doing enough to promote a positive image of sport to females. Lack of time and disposable income for females. Lack of access, role models and top female coaches also has an impact.

Channels like Sky are showing more women’s sport. Role models are being used to recognise achievement. Schools are being encouraged to promote female participation.

FactorFactor What is the issue?What is the issue? What is being done?What is being done?

Ethnic Minorities

.Although people from ethnic minorities appear to be thriving in society, they in fact suffer from being channelled into certain sports based on a stereotype. This is called ‘stacking’. The majority of ethnic minorities live in inner city areas where facilities are generally quite poor. Sporting success is very rare from ethnic minorities who do not attend private schools. Ethnic minorities often only play sport as a method of getting themselves out of poverty instead of participating for the many social benefits.

The government are trying to raise awareness of racial inequality in sport. There are increased opportunities for black and ethnic minority people. There is a campaign to try and improve skill levels in, and positive attitude towards, sport by ethnic minority people. We need to increase the number of black and ethnic minority decision makers and organisers in sport.

FactorFactor What is the issue?What is the issue? What is being done?What is being done?

Disability

Society continues to discriminate against, handicap and impose barriers on disabled people. ¾ of disabled adults rely on state benefits so are financially disadvantaged. Many sport facilities still lack the necessary access to enable some disabled performers to participate. Many able bodies people lack the awareness to help cater for disabled people’s needs. Teachers need to be aware that children with disabilities need to learn basic movement abilities which can then be developed into sports specific skills. Attitudes need to be changed and myths need to be confronted so misconceptions about disability are corrected.

Games are being adapted and modified to allow people with disabilities to compete. Extra funding is being put in place by the government to provide extra facilities, coaches and promotion of disability sport. As a result of the Education Act of 1988, many disabled young people are now being integrated into mainstream schools. Role models like Tani Grey Thompson are being used to promote participation.

FactorFactor What is the issue?What is the issue? What is being done?What is being done?

Older People

There is a tradition of low or non involvement by older people in this country. Older people are put off by the idea that physical activity is for the young. There are few leaders and coaches in the older age range. Younger instructors and coaches may be unclear of the abilities and needs of older people. Older people on pensions may have limited money for recreation and may not have transport. If people have been inactive for years it may be difficult to become active again. There is insufficient media coverage of veteran’s events.

Over 50’s are being encouraged to gain coaching qualifications. Many sports clubs offer concessions to reduce the costs for the over 50’s The benefits of sport are being promoted to the over 50’s such as health, social and psychological benefits. GP referral schemes have come into effect where GP’s encourage patients with medical conditions to take up sport.