Grassroots Sport Research Articles

The Icehearts Europe Implementation Guide to promote a mentoring programme for youth mental health

Abstract Issue/problem In Europe, 9 million young people (10-19) suffer from mental disorders and 70% of children and adolescents with mental health problems do not receive appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. Moreover, during the Covid-19 pandemic a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety and sleep disorders was observed in the population aged 4-19 years. The Icehearts Europe project (funding: EU4Health 2022 Programme) aims to disseminate at EU level a long-term programme for supporting health and wellbeing of disadvantaged children and adolescents. It is inspired by the Finnish best practice Icehearts, a 12-year long mentoring programme. Five pilot countries (Italy, Denmark, Spain, Slovenia, Estonia) will test the model to raise European awareness of how it works and to get more countries and organisations involved. Description of the problem Icehearts Europe is a preventive mentoring programme based on team sports, recreation and school support activities, with a child-centred community approach. To facilitate its implementation, a practical guide has been developed for grassroots sport and social promotion organisations to help them implement the model in their own contexts. The guide is the result of both a multisectoral cooperation between grassroots sport, health, universities, NGOs, and qualitative study activities (bibliographic research, study visit, group work, analysis of the situation and needs of local contexts). Results From February 2024 the Icehearts Europe Implementation Guide is available in six languages at https://www.icehearts.eu/resources. It is now being adapted by the Icehearts Europe partners into an online training programme for managers. Lessons The guide has incorporated lessons learnt from the Finnish model, considered as an evidence-based approach. It contains several operational tools to implement Icehearts Europe and can be adopted using different approaches: there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Key messages • Developed as a support to the Icehearts Europe piloting partners and as a basis for a fully-fledged online training programme for future Icehearts Europe managers. • To facilitate the implementation of early interventions to promote health and wellbeing of children and adolescents and enable them to cope with disadvantaged conditions.

Self -Confidence in Young Athletes: A Protective Factor Against Perfectionism and Anxiety in Competitive Grassroots Sport.

Perfectionism includes various dimensions focused on different planes of psychological functioning, with both positive and negative elements that influence adaptation to the pursuit of achievement and personal satisfaction with efforts and their attainment. We examined participants' levels of perfectionism and the relationship between perfectionism and anxiety in young athletes, and we described the mediating factor of self-confidence as a determinant of sport performance. We utilized a non-experimental, descriptive, and transversal research design. A total of 263 Spanish young athletes (M age = 15.79years; SD = 1.07) who belonged to different sports clubs and engaged in different sports completed the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and the Competitive Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2R). Our results confirmed our belief that self-confidence was a protective factor for diminishing the negative relationships between perfectionism, anxiety, and sport performance. Regarding the predictive power of these variables, the construction of exaggerated achievement expectations (or personal standards) by combining functional and dysfunctional resources was reflected in cognitive anxiety (dysfunctional) and was mediated by self-confidence (functional). Application of these elements into training via well planned communication may allow coaches to enhance young athletes' resources for mental and behavioral adjustment toward their sporting goal. In addition, this training approach may underscore athletes' self-perceived competence and enhance their self-confidence.

The Success Factors of Community Events: A Case Study of the Village Super League in Rongjiang (China)

The purpose of this study is to explore the success factors of a rural grassroots sports event, the Village Super League (Rongjiang, southwest China). Data were collected from news reports of the sports event on the Internet. Thematic analysis was conducted to interpret the qualitative data. Eight key success factors were identified in this study. The primary factors include unique publicity, shared entertainment opportunities, empowerment of villagers, and rural volunteerism. The secondary factors include clear objectives, grassroots sports, community pride, and public and sports infrastructure. The implications are twofold: first, rural sports events combined with the exhibition of ethnic or local culture can be applied to other places; second, empowering and engaging residents in the event planning process and ensuring their extensive participation in delivering the event programs are critical for the success of a rural sports event.

An Assessment of Existing Sport-Related Concussion Guidelines in Ireland: The Need for a United Approach.

In 2014, an Irish parliament white paper called for greater addressing of sport-related concussions (SRCs) in Ireland, requesting the adoption of the Concussion in Sport Group's (CISGs) guidelines and greater consistency in SRC return to play (RTP) management. Ten years later, it is unclear how these requests have been addressed. Recently, the United Kingdom's government centralised guidelines to one SRC document for all grassroots sports. This study aimed to investigate all publicly available SRC guidance in Irish sports and national governing bodies (NGBs) to determine if centralised guidelines are warranted. Sport Ireland and the Irish Federation of Sports were searched for all recognised NGBs and sports in Ireland. Websites were searched for any information pertaining to SRCs and data were extracted and collated in Microsoft Excel. In total, 15 of 83 sports and/or NGBs included SRC guidance, nine of which provided RTP protocols. Various iterations of the CISGs guidance and tools were implemented. Several sports with a documented SRC risk had no guidelines present. The findings indicate disjointed and outdated guidance across Irish sport. Additionally, there are sports with a documented concussion risk that have no SRC guidance available. This study provides support for centralised guidelines to be adopted in Irish grassroots sports.

Task and social frustration of grassroots sport volunteers

ABSTRACT Volunteers are critical for the delivery of grassroots sport including grassroots football. However, sport volunteering might not only yield positive outcomes, but also task and social frustration. Based on previous qualitative findings, the purpose of this study is to identify and quantify which voluntary roles yield task and social frustration. The research context is European grassroots football where problems regarding the retention of volunteers in clubs are particularly severe. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that targeted adult football volunteers in seven European countries (n = 17,729). These were England, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, and Switzerland. The results of confirmatory factor analysis reveal reliable and valid scales for task and social frustration consisting of four and six items, respectively. The regression results show that administrative and operational roles yield task frustration, while sport-related roles score low on task frustration. Only operational roles significantly increase social frustration. The findings on social and task frustration will help policy makers and club managers in designing measures and initiatives to promote and retain volunteers in grassroots football clubs.

The successes and spirit of gravel cycling: providing freedom, challenge, and connection

Gravel, a cycling discipline practiced primarily on unpaved, remote roads, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Accompanying this growth have been fervent debates about what gravel cycling is and how to define it. However, no research has yet been done to describe this discipline and its meanings to society and individuals. Thus, this case study aimed to understand individuals’ experiences and motivations for gravel participation. Through interviews and a reflexive thematic analysis, three themes were crafted: (1) gravel cycling encourages and provides a sense of freedom, (2) embracing the unknown: participants experience physical, mental, and emotional development through gravel cycling, and (3) gravel cycling provides connection through the convergence of self, community, and nature. We provide conclusions regarding gravel’s significance in light of current trends in adult sport participation and present practical implications for cycling event organizers, grassroots sport organizations, and the adult sport and leisure communities.

Elite versus grassroots sports events sponsorship in China: an exploration of sponsors’ motives and objectives

PurposeThis study explores the motives and objectives of sports sponsorship in China, taking into account the sports, social and cultural contexts. It also adopts a comparative approach to examine the sponsorship of elite and grassroots sports events in China.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a qualitative approach, employing semi-structured interviews with representatives of nine companies sponsoring elite and/or grassroots sports events in Western China. The data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis.FindingsIn China, sponsors are frequently driven to sponsor elite sport events by a sense of obligation and responsibility to the country, whereas their motives to sponsor grassroots sport events is primarily influenced by sincerity and goodwill. Chinese companies consider brand awareness, exposure and the relationship with the government and authorities as key factors for sponsorship, and use sponsorship to achieve market-related objectives.Originality/valueCompanies’ sponsorship motives and objectives have received significant attention in the literature, but mainly in Western countries. In the context of China, this study identifies how sponsors utilize social networks to shape their motives and objectives. It also reveals certain patterns common with the current literature, as well as specificities such as how the roles of the government and authorities are linked to the contingent economic and social context of the country. Furthermore, the differences between elite and grassroots sports events sponsorship are explained.

How Grass-roots Sports Events in the New Era Can Promote Urban Economic Development

How Grass-roots Sports Events in the New Era Can Promote Urban Economic Development

The Survival Predicament and Breakthrough of Grassroots Sports Organizations—Taking Wuhu City Rampage Group as an Example

The Survival Predicament and Breakthrough of Grassroots Sports Organizations—Taking Wuhu City Rampage Group as an Example

Grassroots football club stakeholders' sponsorship: the role of happiness and shared values

PurposeThis research serves to determine causal configurations of corporate social responsibility (CSR) conditions that best influences grassroots football club stakeholders to meet a sponsor's goals through promotional activity.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses a case study of the Essex Alliance League, a local amateur football league in England. Firstly, semi-structured interviews were held with multiple stakeholders to understand the ecosystem of grassroots football. From here, further semi-structured interviews were held with club sponsors to identify the conditions of CSR. This allowed the research to then issue a survey from which results were analysed and discussed using fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA).FindingsThe ecosystem of grassroots football is formed by a myriad of stakeholders operating at a national level, all the way to more local governance structures within which the business-club relationship exists. Sponsors identified three main conditions of CSR: shared values, self-congruity, and happiness. However, following fsQCA, two pathways were found: (1) presence of shared values, and (2) presence of happiness with the absence of self-congruity.Practical implicationsFor practitioners, adaptations can be made for clubs to attract and maintain sponsorship as businesses seek to use grassroots sport as a channel for their own CSR objectives. To attract long term sponsorship, club managers are recommended to maintain long-term relationships with business owners especially in relation to personal values, fit, and happiness. As such, the responsibility of the club to ensure its stakeholders engage in promotional activity on behalf of their sponsor will help in maximising the financial value over multiple seasons.Originality/valueWhere fertile ground for academic analysis in grassroots football is present, this research investigates CSR activity at this level of football, where most research is more concerned with professional levels of the game. Furthermore, this research reaches into the sport ecosystem through an understanding of co-created values between organisations in this exchange of shared values to meet common objectives.

Identity negotiation and subculture recognition: Exploration of a sexual minority group in a Chinese grassroots sport

This case study delves into the experiences of a women's basketball team situated in Shenzhen, South China, comprised primarily of members of sexual minority groups. Utilizing qualitative research methods, including interviews and observation of team dynamics, this research examines how lesbian and bisexual female basketball players navigate societal norms and negotiate their sexual identities. It also highlights the team's unique strategies for dealing with social interactions, group membership, and power dynamics in resisting heteronormative norms. Team B exemplifies a form of queer resistance in Chinese society and sports that is distinct from the Western pride movements and political advocacy. This strategy involves avoiding confrontation and integrating the nonheteronormative subculture into mainstream sports and society to gain support from families, the general public, and local communities, thereby promoting sports inclusivity and gaining social recognition. This study argues, from a post-structural feminist perspective, that participation in a gender-inclusive sports group provides sexual minority individuals with a unique social position and an empowering means of destabilizing power relations and reducing sexual identity tensions. In addition, it demonstrates the capacity of sports subcultures to foster collective agency and resilience in the face of dominant cultural norms, despite the constraints posed by the unaltered macro-level structure of gender. This case study provides valuable insights into how gender-inclusive sports groups can challenge and reshape preconceived notions of gender and sexuality in Chinese society while serving as a platform for queer resistance.

The Power of Sport. Evaluation of Projects in the Field of Physical Culture and Grassroots Sport

In 2020, the Vladimir Potanin Foundation launched the “Power of Sport,” a charitable initiative aimed at uncovering the potential of sports as a social institution. In preparing the launch of the program, the Foundation experts had to study the experience of evaluating project effectiveness, in both an international and Russian context — as well as develop approaches to the selection of promising development areas, including identification and evaluation of effects. To address these problems, the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation conducted a study in 2022 aimed at identifying the effects achieved through the implementation of social sports projects and summarizing the approaches used to evaluate them.

Research on the Management System and Operation Mechanism of Grass Roots Mass Sports in China

In the process of comprehensively promoting the reform of the market economy system, China's infrastructure is becoming more and more perfect, and the quality of life and living standard of the masses are getting higher and higher. While pursuing material satisfaction, the public is increasingly concerned about their spiritual and cultural enjoyment. Under such a realistic background, grassroots mass sports have developed very rapidly. In order to provide necessary support and help for mass sports, China has gradually increased its investment in and support for mass sports work, built a scientific and perfect sports management mechanism, and ensured that the system can achieve steady operation, focusing on the enthusiasm and physical fitness of grassroots sports. This article will combine theory with practice, understand the implementation path of different management systems, and analyze the specific mode of grass-roots mass sports management mechanism. In this way, we can better suit the remedy to the case, ensure that each grassroots mass sports management system can play its due role, meet the diversified and personalized physical exercise needs of grassroots people, and comprehensively improve the overall quality and participation initiative of the people.

Management variables as factors for grassroots sports development among public secondary schools students in Oyo federal constituency, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined management variables as factors for grassroots sports development among public secondary schools students in Oyo Federal Constituency, Oyo state, Nigeria. Multistage(Purposive, stratified, quota, proportional and simple random) sampling techniques were used in selecting 1600 participants from public secondary schools in Oyo Federal Constituency of Oyo state. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study while a validated self developed questionnaire with reliability Co-efficient value through Cronbach’s alpha was used to collect data for the study. They were Management Facilities Variable Scale (MFVS), Management Equipment Variable Scale (MEVS), Management Personnel Variable Scale (MPVS) and Grassroots Sports Development Scale (GSDS) with the following reliability values 0.81, 0.79, 0.70 and 0.73 respectively. The demographic data of the respondents were analyzed with frequency counts and simple percentages while inferential statistics of multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. The two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance were rejected which showed that facilities, equipment and personnel as management variables were relatively and compositely significant to be factors for grassroots sports development among public secondary schools students in Oyo Federal Constituency, Oyo state, Nigeria. It was however, recommended that facilities, equipment and personnel should be provided in the schools for regular sports practices among the students. Also, School authority should rehabilitate and repair existing sports facilities and equipment respectively for students in order to encourage and permit them to use their leisure time for sports.

Physical Education as a Foundation for Grassroots Sport in Primary School in Zimbabwe

The importance of physical education in primary schools has been realised worldwide. It is through the teaching of Physical Education (PE) in primary schools that children have been exposed to play and sporting activities at grassroots level. Notably, the delivery of PE varies from one school to the other. Issues of availability of equipment and facilities, resource and assessment procedures influence the teaching of PE. The research set to develop an appreciation on the role and contribution of teaching PE as a foundation for skills development at primary school level amongst stakeholders, universities and colleges. A quantitative approach was used to gather information from participants that comprised teachers of primary schools on the role of PE. Stratified random sampling technique was used and participants were voluntarily selected while confidentiality of the collected data was ensured. Six females and five males of age 31 and above participated in the study. Findings from the questionnaire which targeted teachers point at resources and availability of expertise in schools. 90% of participants point at resources and availability of equipment in schools as a major drawback. On the other hand, 85% of respondents indicate challenges of competent teachers with expertise. Moreover, 100% of respondents allude to PE as a subject that is likely to develop the child holistically. Recommendations put forward were that of government availing both human and financial resources to schools so that PE programmes are implemented effectively. Furthermore, schools should explore ways in which teachers are empowered with innovative skills that will improve delivery strategies and community involvement thereby developing sport at grassroots level. There is a likelihood of having a sport-oriented nation if foundational skills are strongly cultivated.

Effects of a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Intervention on the Rowers of the Junior Spain National Team.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been implemented in the training plans of many athletes and sports teams, obtaining very good results for the improvement of mental skills. These effects are achieved through improvements in cognitive skills such as motivation, mental concentration, and self-confidence, all within an appropriate context of specific physical, technical, and tactical training. However, there are few studies that consider the analysis of performance from a psychological point of view from a gender perspective. The objective of this study was to evaluate a mental training intervention (cognitive-behavioral therapy) in youth rowers in preparation for their participation in the Junior European Championship. A quasi-experimental study was carried out with the complete team of the Spanish youth rowing team (n = 16). The setting where the intervention took place was during the team's stay prior to the European Rowing Junior Championships. Psychological variables were assessed using the Psychological Characteristics Related to Sport Performance Questionnaire. The final assessment was carried out the week before the championship (after finishing the 10th week of intervention). After the intervention, improvements were identified in the Stress Control and Influence of Performance Evaluation subscales in the total sample. However, in the analysis separated by sex, only women improved on the Influence of Performance Evaluation subscale. Lastly, the linear regression analysis adjusted for the sex variable was only significant with the age variable (with a negative effect). This intervention was found to be effective in improving only some of the psychological components related to athletic performance (Stress Control and Influence of Performance Evaluation). These improvements were not related to better results in the European Rowing Junior Championship. These results should be taken into account because they provide evidence for the efficacy of psychological interventions in the field of grassroots sport.

Can the Unesco Award be a Facilitator to Change the Quality in After-School Programmes? - Visions for Future

Summary In April 2021 the “common welfare oriented sports club culture” has been awarded by German UNESCO intangible cultural heritage (ICH). To maintain this award, there has to be a future vision for the immaterial cultural heritage in terms of inclusive, equal opportunity, high-quality education. In Germany, sports clubs cooperate with (primary) schools in after-school programmes, often organized by the school (ASPO). However, offers of sports clubs are understood as offers for pastime and day-care, on the contrary, offers of other partner of cooperation are regarded as offers of education. During Corona crises grassroots sports in Germany was forbidden and more than that, ASPO and PE were cancelled immediately, with consequences e.g. for common welfare and health. “Existing concepts no longer work!” (Pühse, oral comment Bratislava 2021). P.E. teachers experimented with homework, but failed. However, exercise instructors and coaches came up with new motivating ideas and sports clubs seem to take over the role of high-quality education. Can the UNESCO award be part of a creative change not only for sports club culture but also for ASPO and excessively so to understanding PE in its multi-perspective? Let´s finally consider it in a future workshop, based on scenario, which reflects the relevant developments.

"Sharpening Your Mind, Strengthening Your Body" Parental Perceptions on the Use of Strength and Conditioning in Children and Youth.

Although strength and conditioning is beneficial and safe for children to engage in there remain myths and misconceptions form parents regarding its use which prevent its widespread take up. This study explored parents’ attitudes and beliefs about strength and conditioning in their children. Thirty-one parents (21 dads, 10 mums) took part in one of four focus groups exploring the topic. Thematic analysis was used resulting in themes and sub themes centred on: Beliefs; Determinants; Coach Education; Coach Communication; and Relationship to the Game. There were also smaller aspects of the focus groups which touched upon autonomy as a concept related to implementation of strength and conditioning specifically. Overall, parents of children who play grassroots sport hold generally positive perceptions on use of strength and conditioning with their children, considering it beneficial for both physical and mental development. Key factors relating to successful implementation of strength and conditioning for children focus on having a qualified coach in that particular area (rather than a generic sports coach), effective communication between coach and parents, and coach and children in terms of the benefits of engaging with strength and conditioning.

Politics of Grassroot Sports Diplomacy in National Cohesion

The current international relations system is quite dynamic, forcing many state governments to turn to sports as the most efficient soft power tool. Sports is perceived as an integral element of national identity more so, for a country that internationally has a good reputation in sports. Values of sports diplomacy include competition, teamwork and fair play. This form of diplomacy has the potential to inform, engage and influence key actors, especially youth, emerging leaders and women and girls. However, sports, as a diplomatic tool has been always associated with mega-sport events, elite sports and professional athletes, neglecting sports at the grassroots level, where the organizations, interventions and stakeholders are considered irrelevant for state-led public diplomacy. Yet, grassroots sport-based interventions have the capability of strengthening people-to-people relations, hence contributing to national cohesion. By developing grassroots sports, the objective is to grow elite sports men and women who will eventually form teams that will compete favorably on the international arena. This paper hence discusses the politics of grassroots sports diplomacy towards national cohesion. It specifically addresses three objectives; First, it examines actors in grassroots sports diplomacy; Secondly, it Assesses tools used to promote grassroots sports and lastly it interrogates the discourse on grassroots sports diplomacy towards national cohesion. . A descriptive research design enabled primary and secondary data to be collected. The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The paper concludes that grassroots sport diplomacy creates cooperative relations among citizens hence addressing the national unity crisis that most countries are faced with. Recommendations in relation to grassroots sports diplomacy as a tool for national cohesion have also been included.

Mediatization in Times of Pandemic: How German Grassroots Sports Clubs Employed Digital Media to Overcome Communication Challenges During COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on all societal domains, including sports. Social distancing measures and the closure of sports facilities posed especially severe challenges for grassroots sports clubs, which thrive on joint activities and member social contact. Drawing on mediatization theory, the study examines the communication challenges faced by grassroots sports clubs and the perceived potential of digital media to overcome these obstacles during and beyond the pandemic. Based on in-depth interviews with 32 club officials of German grassroots sports clubs, the study identified ongoing uncertainty about COVID-19 regulations, preserving members’ sense of belonging during social distancing, and involving everyone in formal processes as the major communication challenges. While most of the interviewees valued the potential of digital media to address these challenges, they acknowledged that the benefits of digital media for individual members would depend on their skill, motivation, and concerns, as well as on the availability of digital infrastructure. For that reason, digital media were not considered a substitute for face-to-face social contact or sporting activity but were seen to extend opportunities for communication and training. More generally, these findings raise new questions about the relationship between mediatization and social cohesion.