Potential for the regeneration of rural areas through local involvement in the organisation of sport events

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rationale/purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the local community in small-scale sport events in rural areas, from the perspective of contestants and sport event organisers. Design/methodology/approach : Six small-scale sport events in the region of Gorski Kotar, Croatia, were analysed. Authors employed quantitative and qualitative methods in order to understand perceptions of contestants and event organisers. Findings The local community as a partner in small-scale sport events can increase satisfaction of contestants with the event. Organisers of those events are often not aware of that and although their approaches to local community support differ, most of them focus predominantly on the economic benefits while neglecting the social impacts and importance of those impacts on satisfaction of contestants. Practical implications and research contributions Research results underlining the importance of local community engagement in small-scale sport events can be useful for planning sport events in other rural destinations in Croatia and abroad. Direct evidence of the significance this engagement has for the overall satisfaction of contestants can motivate event organisers to focus more on the social impacts of the sport events they are organising and to re-think their contribution to the regeneration of hosting rural areas.