Elite Club Research Articles

"Can You Deny Her That?" Processes of Governmentality and Socialization of Parents in Elite Women's Gymnastics.

Abusive practices in elite women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG) have been the focus of discussions about how to eliminate or reduce them. Both coaches and parents have been named as key actors in bringing about change. Our focus is on parents and their ability to safeguard their daughters in WAG. Parents are not independent actors, however, but are part of a larger web consisting of an entanglement of emotions and technologies and rationalities used by staff, other parents, and athletes, bounded by skill development plans and by coaching expertise and authority. This entanglement may limit the ability of parents to bring about change. We draw on a Deleuzian notion of assemblage, Foucauldian concepts of discourse and governmentality and Ahmed’s assertion about the entanglement of discourses and emotions to explore how parents are disciplined into accepting dominant discursive practices of sport clubs for elite athletes. The data were drawn from a project called the Parental Awareness Program (PAP) that was designed to make parents aware of practices in competitive WAG that may not be in their child’s best interest. Participants were parents of young gymnasts who had been identified as “talented” and who were members of an elite gymnastics club. The data analysis was based on focus group discussions with a total of 22 parents and semi-structured interviews with 8 parents. The results suggested that although parents problematized many practices during PAP, processes of governmentality involving an assemblage of discourses about coaching expertise, families, talent, enjoyment, long term skill development plans and its associated time demands, together ensured parental consent for dominant practices. The data suggested that a reduction of abusive practices lies in part in critical examinations of skill development plans that are presented as regimes of truth and are kept in place by emotions and the authority accorded to coaching expertise. These processes curtail parents in their ability to safeguard what is in the best pedagogical interest of their daughter.

Intra- and Inter-Seasonal Fitness and Training Load Variations of Elite U20 Soccer Players

ABSTRACTInherent physical and anthropometric traits of elite soccer players, influenced by nature and nurture, account for the emergence of performances across time. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate inter- and intraseasonal differences and the influence of playing position on training and fitness metrics in talented young soccer players. Methods: A total of 74 male players from U20 teams of a single elite club were tested both at beginning, during, and at the end of three consecutive competitive seasons. Players under went anthropometric measurement and were tested for aerobic, jumping, and sprinting performances; the GPS-derived measures of metabolic power (MP) and equivalent distance index (ED) of every athlete were analyzed. Results: Difference between teams emerged in Mognoni's test, while it did not in countermovement jump and anthropometrics. ED was different across seasons. The model selection criteria revealed that the Bosco–Vittori test achieved the best fit. BMI and countermovement jump (CMJ) increased, and fat mass decreased, during season; different intraseasonal trends for CMJ. MP was slightly greater in midfielder. Conclusion: Network approaches in modeling performance metrics in sports team could unveil original interconnections between performance factors. In addition, the authors support multiparametric longitudinal assessments and a huge database of sports data for facilitating talent identification.

Influence of the COVID-19 Lockdown and Restart on the Injury Incidence and Injury Burden in Men’s Professional Football Leagues in 2020: The UEFA Elite Club Injury Study

BackgroundStudies on football and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have mainly focused on the lockdown consequences for player fitness, the resumption of football training, and how to safely restart the league play, but injury data are scarce.ObjectiveTo describe the injury incidence and injury burden in men’s professional football teams during the pandemic year of 2020.MethodsNineteen teams in 12 countries prospectively registered data on player-exposure and time-loss injuries throughout 2020. All major football leagues were paused as a direct response to the pandemic in March 2020 and were thereafter completely cancelled or restarted after a lockdown interval of at least two months. Historical data from 43 teams in the same cohort during the five preceding years (2015–2019) were used as reference. Between-season and within-season comparisons were made for injury incidence (number of injuries per 1000 h) and injury burden (number of absence days per 1000 h) with 95% confidence intervals and interquartile ranges.ResultsThere was no increased match injury incidence or injury burden following the restart in 2020 compared with other time periods of 2020 and the corresponding periods 2015–2019. There was an increased training injury incidence and injury burden immediately during the lockdown in 2020, and they remained elevated also following the restart, being higher in 2020 compared with 2015–2019, respectively. The injury characteristics during the first months of the new 2020/21 season (August/September–December) were similar between the five teams that cancelled their 2019/20 season in March 2020 and the 14 teams that restarted their season in May/June 2020.ConclusionsThere was no increased match injury incidence or injury burden following the COVID-19 lockdown and restart of the football season in 2020, but training injury incidence and injury burden were elevated and higher than in 2015–2019.

The committeefication of collective action in Africa

• Committeefication is the process by which the committee becomes an increasingly important institutional form for collective action. • Throughout Africa, committees are central to collective action, presiding over everything from resource management to cultural life. • Committees have surface features, including missions and state connections, membership rules, and decision-making and democratic procedures. • Under the surface, committees have deep functions, from inclusion and deliberation to being façades, classrooms, or elite clubs. • Committeefication can co-exist, compete, or cooperate with existing forms of collective action. Over the last century, Africa has witnessed considerable committeefication, a process by which committees have become increasingly important to organise collective action. Throughout the continent, committees have come to preside over everything from natural resource management to cultural life, and from peacebuilding to community consultation. What has been the impact of this dramatic institutional change on the nature and quality of collective action? Drawing on decades of anthropological research and development work in East Africa – studying, working with and working in committees of various kinds – this article presents an approach to addressing this question. We show how committees have surface features as well as deep functions, and that the impact of committeefication depends not only on their features and functions but also on the pathways through which they proliferate. On the surface, committees aim for inclusive and deliberative decision making, even if they vary in the specifics of their missions, membership, decision-making rules, and level of autonomy. But their deep functions can be quite different: a façade for accessing recognition or resources; a classroom for learning leadership skills; or a club for elites to pursue their shared interests. The impact of these features and functions depends on the pathways through which they grow: autonomous from existing forms of collective action; in synergistic cooperation; or in competition, possibly weakening or even destroying existing local institutions. Community-based development interventions often rely heavily on committeefied collective action. This paper identifies the benefits that this strategy can have, but also shows its potential to weaken or even destroy existing forms of collective action. On that basis, we suggest that it is imperative to turn more systematic analytical attention to committees, and assess the extent to which they are delivering development or crippling collective action in the guise of democracy and deliberation.

The Relationship of Some Kinematic Variables to the Performance of Forehand Clear Stroke with Accuracy in Badminton Players

The study aimed to: Recognizing the values of a number of kinematical variables for the performance of the forehand clear stroke for badminton players. Recognizing the values of the accuracy test for the performance for the forehand clear stroke of badminton players. Recognizing the relationship between a number of kinematical variables and the accuracy values of the forehand clear stroke for badminton players. In order to verify the objectives of the study, the researcher had assumed the following: - There is a significant relationship between the values of a number of bio kinematical variables and the accuracy values of the forehand clear stroke for badminton players. The researchers used the descriptive approach with the correlational style, for its suitability to the study nature, The research sample was selected from the players of the elite clubs registered with the Iraqi Badminton Federation, and the research sample consisted of (7) players. The researcher used the resources, scientific references, interviews, questionnaires, testing, measurement and scientific observation as means of data collecting, the study included biokinematical variables, and the accuracy of the forehand clear stroke skill. The main experiment was conducted in two different locations due to the presence of the research sample (4) of them representing the Iraqi national badminton team in Baghdad and (3) players representing the Akad Sports Club in Erbil province, and in order to achieve the first scientific and technical observation, two digital cameras were used. At a speed (240 f /s), the first camera was placed on the side of the player's hitting arm at a distance of (4 m) and with a lens height (1.25 m) , and the second was placed in front of the player at a distance of (3.35 m) With a lens height (1.25 m). In order to achieve the second scientific and technical observation, two digital cameras were used. The first camera was placed on the side of the player's hitting arm at a distance (5.35 m) and a lens height (1.29 m), it was set at speed (300f /s), and the second camera was placed in front of the player at a distance (3.70 m) and with a lens height (1.29 m), and it was set at speed (210 f/s). The data were statistically handled using the (SPSS) program to obtain (the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, simple correlation coefficient, and T-test for independent samples. The researchers concluded: - The variables (horizontal displacement, horizontal velocity and velocity resultant) for BMC in the final phase of the forehand clear stroke skill had a positive significant relationship with accuracy. - The shuttlecock starting velocity in the forehand clear stroke skill had a direct relationship with accuracy. - Accuracy has a direct relationship with variable of the striking arm wrist joint angle and inversely with the forearm angle with the racket variable at the moment of maximum return of the racket in the forehand clear stroke skill. - The relationship was direct between (shoulder angle, forearm angle with the racket) variables (each separately) with the accuracy at the moment of shuttlecock impact in the forehand clear stroke skill. - The increase in the angular deference of the forearm with racket was significantly correlated with accuracy in the main phase of the forehand clear stroke skill. - There is a direct relationship between the angular velocity of the forearm with the racket variable with the accuracy in the main phase of the forehand clear stroke skill. Through the conclusions, the researchers recommend: - The necessity to direct the players to pay attention to the ideal angles of technical performance of badminton skills. - Directing the coaches to use a kinematic analysis programs or seeking the help of an expert and specialist in kinetic analysis to correct some of the players' performance errors that are not seen with the naked eye. - Paying attention to the results of the current study for use by workers in the field of badminton training and education.

Consumer behaviour and the relational dynamics of English premier league supporters in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The English Premier League (EPL) has one of its largest national fanbases in Nigeria. The city of Yola in Nigeria’s North East State of Adamawa is home to numerous fans of EPL elite clubs. This study examines how supporters of different EPL clubs interact with one another, and their modes of consumption of EPL football in the city. Twenty-four fans were interviewed at purposively selected football viewing centres across the city. The research revealed that within international club competitions like the UEFA Champions League, some supporters demonstrate support for other EPL clubs, despite the traditional rivalries prevalent in domestic contexts. Moreover, some fans opt to support more than one EPL team due to family ties, emergence of African players and periods of success at other clubs. The analysis demonstrates that these two factors can help restrict animosity between supporters and promote peaceful relations among fans in the locality of this study.

The collection, analysis and exploitation of footballer attributes: A systematic review

There is growing on-going research into how footballer attributes, collected prior to, during and post-match, may address the demands of clubs, media pundits and gaming developers. Focusing upon individual player performance analysis and prediction, we examined the body of research which considers different player attributes. This resulted in the selection of 132 relevant papers published between 1999 and 2020. From these we have compiled a comprehensive list of player attributes, categorising them as static, such as age and height, or dynamic, such as pass completions and shots on target. To indicate their accuracy, we classified each attribute as objectively or subjectively derived, and finally by their implied accessibility and their likely personal and club sensitivity. We assigned these attributes to 25 logical groups such as passing, tackling and player demographics. We analysed the relative research focus on each group and noted the analytical methods deployed, identifying which statistical or machine learning techniques were used. We reviewed and considered the use of character trait attributes in the selected papers and discuss more formal approaches to their use. Based upon this we have made recommendations on how this work may be developed to support elite clubs in the consideration of transfer targets.

Use of GPS to measure external load and estimate the incidence of muscle injuries in men's football: A novel descriptive study.

Measurement of external load in players provides objective information to optimise the weekly balance between training and recovery to improve performance and prevent injuries. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence of sports-related muscle injuries of the lower limb in relation to external load, measured by global positioning system (GPS), in football players. A descriptive study was carried out. Data were collected from 71 professional male football players (30 professionals and 41 youth players) from an elite football club competing in the Spanish and European League in the 2017-2018 season. As external load variables, we measured High Metabolic Load Distance (HMLD), High Speed Running (HSR), Player Load (PL), and Total Distance (TD) through GPS. Injury rate (IR) was calculated both in relation to such GPS load metrics and to load exposure time. We considered categories (youth and professional), playing positions (centre back, full back, midfielder, and forward), and training day with respect to match-day (-4MD, -3MD, -2MD, -1MD, MD, +1MD, +2MD). The GPS load metrics HMLD, HSR, PL, and TD showed very similar patterns across categories and positions, but varied according to training session or MD. The highest loads were observed on MD and three days prior to the match (-3MD). Similarly, the overall IR, both calculated per load exposure time and per GPS load metrics, was highest on MD and -3MD. Again, no differences were observed between youth and professional players. Midfielders demonstrated the highest IR in all metrics, followed by the forwards. In conclusion, this study suggests that external load and incidence of muscle injuries are directly proportional. Therefore, the measurement of more external load variables other than load exposure time, such as the GPS metrics HMLD, HSR, PL, and TD may help to describe the pattern and magnitude of injuries. Future studies based on ours may help to further improve the understanding of the incidence of muscle injuries on the basis of external loads measurements in different football teams.

Urban leisure: yacht clubs in the social and cultural space of Belarusian provinces in the late 19th – early 20th century

The article is devoted to the history of yacht clubs on the territory of Belarus at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries. The author examines the conditions for their emergence, the main statutory documents, key areas of activity, changes in the social composition and place in the structure of urban leisure during 1895–1915. The article also presents attempts to create yacht clubs, reflecting the social demand of the urban population, but not implemented for objective reasons. Attention is paid to the transformation of these public organisations from narrow-profile elite clubs to the centres of cultural and sports life in the Belarusian city.

Selected 15-year-old boy and girl football players’ continuation with football and competitive level in young adulthood: the impact of individual and contextual factors

This study investigates players who have been selected to a district team in the Swedish Football Association U15 talent programme. Using register data on all selected 15-year-old boy and girl district team players (3943 boys and 4056 girls born between 1986 and 1996) from Sweden’s 24 football districts, we analysed the relationships between club affiliation at age 15, the player population of the district, date of birth, and continuation with football and competitive level as young adults. The results show that a higher percentage of boys than girls continued playing football into young adulthood and that continuation is related to district size. Belonging to an elite club at age 15 reduces the likelihood of girls playing football at age 21, but it has no effect on the likelihood of boys playing football at age 21. In addition, 15-year-old boys and girls from larger districts who played on an elite club at age 15 were more likely to play elite football at age 21. In sum, the study shows that football district size and club affiliation at age 15 affect whether boys and girls continue to play football and whether they play at an elite level as young adults.

Age of Early Specialization, Competitive Volume, Injury, and Sleep Habits in Youth Sport: A Preliminary Study of US Youth Basketball.

Background:Concerns for youth sports in the United States often focus on early sport specialization, overemphasis on competition, injuries, and burnout. Little research has addressed relationships among the preceding and other concerns, including time away from organized sport, sleep, and perceptions of physical and psychological well-being.Hypothesis:There is an association between reported competitive gameplay volume and specialization, injury, and fatigue among elite youth basketball players.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; convenience sample.Level of Evidence:Level 4.Methods:An anonymous questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of youth basketball players between 13 and 18 years of age from across the United States. Participants were queried about multiple factors, including the extent of their participation in organized basketball and other sports, time away from organized basketball, injury, sleep, and feelings of exhaustion related to basketball participation.Results:A total of 772 participants (145 girls, 627 boys) completed a survey. All participants played for a select or elite club basketball team and/or a high school basketball team. Overall, 49% played more than 50 games within the past year. A total of 73% were specialized in basketball, 58% prior to age 14 years, and 35% prior to age 11 years. In all, 70% reported less than 1 month away from organized basketball within the past year, and 28% reported no time away. A total of 54% reported sleeping less than the recommended 8 hours each night during the school year. Within the prior year, 55% reported feeling physically exhausted and 45% reported feeling mentally exhausted from basketball. Regression analysis did not find any significant relationships between early specialization prior to age 14 years and basketball-related injury or feelings of mental or physical exhaustion.Conclusion:In this select group of youth basketball players, the majority specialized in basketball prior to age 14 years and reported a large number of competitive events with little time away from organized basketball.Clinical Relevance:The results from a sample of highly competitive youth basketball players indicate issues that warrant further attention and research regarding the potential impact of specialization, frequent competitions, lack of time away from organized sport, and perceptions of well-being in young athletes.

Whiteness on the Green

Between the early 1950s and 1970s, Palm Springs, California, a leisure and resort community in the Coachella Valley, entered into a dramatic era of growth driven by an unlikely factor: golf. Exclusive and elite country clubs employed new forms of environmental and social engineering as they transformed the arid landscape into lush, emerald fairways. The rapid rate of growth meant that courses were built without concern for significant social and ecological side effects. In particular, golf’s arrival brought new power dynamics to the valley that displaced and disenfranchised local communities of color, including the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians and a neighborhood of low-income African Americans and Mexican Americans who lived in the path of development. This expansion-oriented program of development is an example of what we might call the “leisure-industrial complex,” in which private enterprise, public policy, and cultural norms combined to create an economic machinery that soon commanded the Coachella Valley. As such, the history of Coachella golf is not just the history of a sport, but the history of how leisure came to dominate the landscape, the environment, and the people of the California desert.

Injury epidemiology in professional football in South America compared with Europe

ObjectiveTo describe the injury epidemiology in professional football in South America and compare it with European professional football.MethodsData about football exposures and injury occurrences were registered in Six teams participating...

Co-creating Possible Futures of Light, Beyond Lighting. A Hybrid Approach: Format Design, Preliminary Findings, and Reflexive Learnings From a Foresight Practice, Based on a Creative Industry Event Series

The research context for this article is a specific lighting industry professional event, focusing on the possible future of light across the dimensions of body, object (both human-scale and building), and metropolis. Light becomes the theme to generate visions and insights about longer term developments from personal, social, and business viewpoints. The event was designed as a location-specific format for the multi-awarded Silo 486, Helsinki, by Lighting Design Collective. The format is inspired by Brian Eno’s 1970s “Oblique Strategies,” therefore an approach derived from fine arts and popular culture, within the constructivist episteme. The specific target of this event is thought leaders and/or the next generation of architectural, design, and creative industry leaders, with an invitation list of 15–20, selected according to the “Elite Club” open innovation principle (Verganti et al., 2008). The event was held three times, from 2014 through 2016, during the Helsinki Design Week, as integral part of its program. The authors were main initiator and moderator of the event, as they designed the format in 2014.

Load Monitoring Practice in Elite Women Association Football.

The description of current load monitoring practices may serve to highlight developmental needs for both the training ground, academia and related industries. While previous studies described these practices in elite men's football, no study has provided an overview of load monitoring practices in elite women's football. Given the clear organizational differences (i.e., professionalization and infrastructure) between men's and women's clubs, making inferences based on men's data is not appropriate. Therefore, this study aims to provide a first overview of the current load monitoring practices in elite women's football. Twenty-two elite European women's football clubs participated in a closed online survey (40% response rate). The survey consisted of 33 questions using multiple choice or Likert scales. The questions covered three topics; type of data collected and collection purpose, analysis methods, and staff member involvement. All 22 clubs collected data related to different load monitoring purposes, with 18 (82%), 21 (95%), and 22 (100%) clubs collecting external load, internal load, and training outcome data, respectively. Most respondents indicated that their club use training models and take into account multiple indicators to analyse and interpret the data. While sports-science staff members were most involved in the monitoring process, coaching, and sports-medicine staff members also contributed to the discussion of the data. Overall, the results of this study show that most elite women's clubs apply load monitoring practices extensively. Despite the organizational challenges compared to men's football, these observations indicate that women's clubs have a vested interest in load monitoring. We hope these findings encourage future developments within women's football.

The clinical assessment of hip muscle strength in professional rugby union players

Groin/hip injuries are prevalent in rugby union (RU). Assessment of hip muscle strength is important when designing bespoke injury prevention and rehabilitation programmes. ObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to determine normative values of hip muscle strength in elite-level RU players. A secondary aim of this study was to compare the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) between players with and without a history of groin/hip injury. DesignCross-sectional cohort study. SettingProfessional RU club. Participants58 male professional RU players competing in the PRO14 league elite club level competition. Main outcome measuresHandheld dynamometry eccentric strength values of hip abduction (ABD), adduction (ADD), internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER), HAGOS. ResultsPlayers' dominant (DOM) and non-dominant (NDOM) hip strength values were, 2.38 and 2.34 N m/kg for ABD, 2.79 and 2.71 N m/kg for ADD, 2.69 and 2.55 N m/kg for IR, and 2.65 and 2.54 N m/kg for ER. ADD:ABD strength ratio was 1.17 ± 0.26 for the DOM limb and 1.16 ± 0.24 for the NDOM limb. There was no clinically significant difference in strength between players’ DOM and NDOM limbs. Players with a history of groin/hip injury scored lower on four of the HAGOS subscales (pain; symptoms; sport; quality of life) compared to those without a history of groin/hip injury. ConclusionsThis study may help establish normative hip strength and HAGOS values for elite-level RU players. The results presented have important implications for the assessment of hip muscle strength and could provide clinical markers for return-to-play following injury.

Community Energy in Germany – Bowling Alone in Elite Clubs?

Community energy is promised to contribute to a just transition and energy democracy. However, the results of a survey show low levels of diversity, and that it is particularly academics with higher income levels who are participating. Especially women and younger people are less engaged in community energy. It is shown that differences exist between age and gender groups regarding perceptions, attitudes, and activities. This infringes in particular the just transition criterion of intra-generational equity. However, there is substantial potential for engagement in community energy across age, gender, income and education level that could be exploited if the policy framework provided more support and if the concept was better implemented and disseminated.

Muscle Damage Biomarkers in Congestion Weeks in English Premier League Soccer Players: A Prospective Study for Two Consecutive Seasons.

The current study was conducted to compare muscle damage biomarkers in single- vs. multi-match weeks in elite soccer players for two consecutive seasons. A secondary objective was to analyze the influence of playing position and exposure time on muscle damage in single- vs. multi-match weeks. This is a prospective cohort study performed in a professional elite soccer club in the English Premier League during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 seasons up until the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected in the Medical Department Room of an English Premier League Club before and after the soccer game from a total of 29 elite soccer players (mean ± S.D.; age = 27.59 ± 3.83 years; height = 1.83 ± 0.05 m; body mass = 80.16 ± 7.45 kg) who were enrolled in the club during both seasons. The main outcome measurements were creatine kinase (CK), weight, lean mass, % fat DEXA, high speed running, total distance, density of total distance and high-speed running and wellbeing questionnaires. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Players who completed more than 60 min in the previous game had significantly increased pregame CK levels and fatigue in multi-match weeks. Midfielders had both significantly increased pregame CK and muscle soreness in multi-match weeks. Midfielders and players with an exposure time of at least 60 min showed higher pregame CK values that should play a key role for deciding substitutions.

The Relationship of some Kinematic Variables to the Performance of Backhand Clear Stroke with Accuracy in Badminton Players

The study aimed to: - Recognize the values of a number of bio kinematical variables for the performance of the backhand clear stroke for badminton players. - Recognize the values of the accuracy test for the performance for the backhand clear stroke of badminton players. - Recognize the relationship between a number of bio kinematical variables and the accuracy values of the backhand clear stroke for badminton players. In order to verify the objectives of the study, the researchers assumed the following: - The existence of a significant relationship between the values of a number of biokinematical variables and the accuracy values of the backhand clear stroke for badminton players. The researchers used the descriptive approach with the correlational style, for its convenience to the study nature, The research sample was selected from the players of the elite clubs registered with the Iraqi Badminton Federation, and the research sample consisted of (7) players The researchers concluded: - The increase of preparing phase time of the backhand clear stroke is directly related to accuracy. - The relationship between the hitting arm's shoulder angle and the free-arm elbow angle with accuracy was direct at the maximum return of the racket, while the relationship was inverse with the forearm with the racket angle variable in the backhand clear stroke skill. - The relationship was direct between accuracy and the lead leg's knee angle variable and inversely with the ankle angle at the moment of the shuttlecock impact in the backhand clear stroke skill.

Armchair fans: Modelling audience size for televised football matches

Modelling audience size for televised football matches has utility for a number of stakeholders. In the short-term it can inform the choice of broadcasters as to which matches to show and decisions of firms regarding how much to bid for advertising slots during the game. For elite clubs and leagues, for which television rights is their principal source of revenue, it offers a means of understanding which match characteristics will draw the largest audience and this should inform long-term decisions on how to structure their competitions. The paper argues that previous modelling in this area has typically depended on an inappropriate measure of audience size and unsatisfactory metrics to capture important match characteristics such as the quality of the talent on show and the significance of the match for the championship or relegation. In contrast to this prior literature, the present paper draws on sport analytics to derive its measures of player talent and match significance. This makes a material difference to findings from modelling audience size for 790 English Premier League matches between 2013 and 2019. For example, it identifies elevated interest for matches potentially significant for end-of-season outcomes. This has implications when organisers consider the optimal structure of the competition and revenue sharing arrangements between member clubs of the league. For the wider television industry, we show that measurement of audience size (and some results from modelling) are sensitive to whether focus is on the whole programme or just its core content (in this case the match itself).