National Sport Organizations Research Articles

Development of a national sport integrity system

ABSTRACT The persistence of integrity problems in national sports organizations (NSOS) globally suggests that current approaches (e.g., good governance, piece meal legislation and policy) to curbing them are ineffective. Scholars have argued for a broad strategy to enhance integrity, deter unethical behavior, and prevent integrity system failures. theoretical gap exists in conceptualizing a national sport integrity system (NSIS). Drawing from accountability, integrity systems, integrity management, and sport integrity literatures a holistic and configurational framework of the actors, and the internal and external components of a NSIS was conceptualized. A NSIS is comprised of institutions, policies, practices, agencies, and actors responsible for promoting and safeguarding the integrity of an NSO. A NSIS was designed for both federated and unitary sport governance models. that onsists of three interconnected components: the institutions that serve as the operational arm of the system, the accountability arm that is responsible for guarding integrity, and actors who manage the operational systems and accountability mechanisms. An NSO collaboratively coordinates and assists with capacity building to suitably delivery the system components across the respective levels of governance. The paper concludes with consideration of how the system may be used in practice, challenges for adoption, and directions for future research.

Organisational Support for High-Performance Athletes to Develop Financial Literacy and Self-Management Skills

This paper reports the results of analysing desk-based data on organisational support for high performance athletes to develop their financial literacy and self-management skills when transitioning out of sport. There are two research questions: (1) Do sport organisations provide support schemes or other interventions such that high-performance athletes develop their financial literacy and self-management skills? and (2) Do sport organisations provide financial support schemes for high-performance athletes’ retirements? If so, what do they involve? Desk-based data collection was applied to 23 sporting organisations; these comprised 21 national organisations representing 19 countries, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Oceanic National Olympic Committee (ONOC). Fifteen of the 23 organisations, representing 14 countries, provided some support or interventions on financial planning and self-management within their career assistance programmes. The findings also indicate that most organisations in 17 different countries did not provide any financial support for athletes’ retirements. While a number of sport organisations have developed appropriate interventions to assist high-performance athletes to develop financial literacy and self-management skills, such schemes appear only to be provided to high-performance athletes who have competed at the highest level e.g., Olympics, world championships, etc. Support for athletes at lower levels should also be developed and delivered by national governments, or by national sport organisations.

A case study of relationships between the organizational capacity of a Japanese national sport organization and the elite sport system

A case study of relationships between the organizational capacity of a Japanese national sport organization and the elite sport system

Saving the Life of a National Sport Organization With Strategy and Governance

Endurance Canada is facing a dire situation. It must turn itself around or face bankruptcy. The problems are piling up for Endurance Canada’s Board of Directors. Over the last 20 years, the Board’s Chair, Bill Fitzpatrick, has seen his sport’s athletes go from winning Olympic medals to not having any medals internationally. Within Endurance Canada, he has seen high staff turnover and burnout, power struggles between the national and provincial/territorial levels, and their revenues have been hit hard. COVID-19 was the proverbial nail in the coffin. Something drastic needs to happen. So, Bill brings in Amanda Tsang, a strategy expert. She has 1 month to come up with a plan to bring Endurance Canada back to life. The case follows Amanda as she reviews the strategy, structure, and governance issues in the organization. This fictional case asks students to (a) develop a strategic plan for Endurance Canada, (b) show how structure and strategy are interrelated, and (c) reflect on governance issues in a multilevel governance system.

The Problematic Experience of Players' Mutations Between Clubs: Discovering the Social Adaptability Skills Required.

Objective: During their career, most players working in professional team sports move from club to club. These transitions are not always completely successful and could highly impact the route of the players' development. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the psychological processes involved when players encounter problems in adapting from one club to another. Thus, it was the aim of this study to identify the most difficult aspects of these transitions, as experienced by team sports players and the psychological skills that contribute to successful outcomes.Design and Method: The present study included twenty professional basketball players (aged between 20 and 36 years old; Mean = 26.05, SD = 4.12), who had played under different coaches (coach range 4–15; Mean = 8.65, SD = 2.92), and also played for different clubs (range 3–10; Mean = 5.35, SD = 2.08). They took part in retrospective interviews regarding their embedded experiences during club to club transitions. A situated E-approach was used to identify their problematic experiences, the adaptability skills and how they are applied during club mutations.Results and Conclusions: The identification of problematic experiences revealed seven components in relation to coaching (e.g., obeying orders, reduced play time), three components with teammates (e.g., respect), two components with the club (e.g., lack of support), and three components with family/friends (e.g., geographical constraints). Additionally, results indicated that the adaptability skills used during mutation are related to three groups namely mental skills, learning methods, and interpersonal skills. The results provide coaches, players, sports psychologists, and national sport organizations a set of issues for understanding the challenges players encounter when they move from one club to another.

Using Communication Boundaries to Minimize Athlete Social Media Distractions During Events

Sport organizations regulate athletes' use of social media for many reasons including the protection of the organization's reputation. Several strategies have been introduced to minimize issues related to the negative consequences athlete social media use may present, yet whether these strategies also work to address social media distractions experienced by athletes during major sport events is not well known. Utilizing communication privacy management (CPM) theory, the purpose of the current research was to examine the aspects of social media that sport administrators perceive to be distracting to athletes and what support and management mechanisms are utilized to address such concerns during major sport events. Semistructured interviews ( N = 7) with Australian national sport organization (NSO) administrators were conducted. Sport administrators reported several aspects of social media that are perceived to distract athletes including personal and performance criticism and a fixation with social media profiles. Social media could also be used to manage athlete temperament. As a result, organizations highlighted both proactive and reactive communication boundaries and mechanisms that could be used to address concerns including content restrictions, best practice case studies, engaging in conversations, and monitoring. Opportunities for sport practitioners are described including conducting consultation sessions with athletes to better understand their needs regarding their social media use.

Marketing Up the Wrong Tree? Organisational Perspectives on Attracting and/or Retaining Older Adults in Sport.

Community sport is seen as a suitable setting for physical activity for different population groups. Older adults (aged 50+ years) are a rapidly growing population group. Physical activity is critical for healthy ageing, however sport participation rates for older adults are very low. The aim of this study was to investigate how sporting organisations perceive sport for older adults. This cross-sectional study surveyed 171 representatives from Australian National and State Sporting Organisations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the results and the three sporting organisation categories' (high, medium, and low participation) responses were compared using non-parametric statistics. Contextualised in the perspective of organisational change, a framework for marketing to the ageing consumer was used to interpret the results. Older adults are not a high priority group for most sporting organisations, however the benefits of engaging older adults were recognised, particularly in context of increasing participation numbers. A lack of age-appropriate programmes was perceived to be a major barrier of engaging older adults. This lack of programmes stems from older adults being deemed as a less attractive segment than other age groups for sporting organisations. Modifications that sports felt they could make to attract and/or retain older adults included specific marketing and age appropriate opportunities. There was widespread consensus across sporting organisations, suggesting that perceptions of older adult sport participation were comparable across the sector, such as increasing participation numbers and engaging their older fan base. In the context of attracting, and retaining, older adults in sport clubs, it was concluded that most sporting organisations are not (yet) ready to build “age friendly” sporting environments. There is very limited literature on the organisational perspective of older adults and sport, meaning this study is unique in the field. Although sport policy encourages organisations to grow their participation, most organisations do not actively and strategically engage older adults. This research provides an understanding of why this untapped market is not a priority target and provides comprehensive insights for policy makers to better engage with this population group.

Relative age effects in international rugby union: Consequences of changing the cutoff date and exploring youth to senior transitions

ABSTRACT Relative age effects (RAEs) are independent of specific cutoff dates that can vary from country to country. However, the consequences of changing the selection cutoff dates within a national sport organization are unknown. Further, the transition from international youth to senior representation is yet to be explored in rugby union. Thus, the aims of this article were twofold: Study 1 compared the birth quarter (BQ) distributions of the England Rugby Football Union (RFU) under-18 representatives based on September to August and January to December selection cutoff dates. Study 2 explored the BQ distributions within the RFU international development pathway through analyzing the under-18, under-20, and senior representatives, as well as the BQ distributions of youth players who were subsequently capped at senior level. Chi-square analysis was used to compare BQ distributions in each sample against expected distributions. Results revealed a corresponding shift of a skewed birthdate distribution favoring chronologically older players that was mediated by specific cutoff dates (p < 0.05). Moreover, whilst RAEs were present within both youth cohorts (p < 0.05), it was not apparent at the senior level (p > 0.05). Furthermore, during the transition from international youth to senior representation, more chronologically older players were successfully capped.

The merger of the women’s and men’s golf national sport organisations in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Purpose NZ Golf was established after a merger of the Women’s Golf Association and (men’s) New Zealand Golf in 2005. The purpose of the study was to examine (1) the gendering of the negotiations and, (2) the implications of the gendered negotiations on the establishment of NZ Golf. Methodology We situate our research in the socio-political context of mergers, incorporating gender into organisational literature focussing on their strategic, financial, and integration dimensions. Semi-structured interviews with key female and male stakeholders were informed by document analysis. Findings Findings revealed that the financial and strategic elements of mergers were gendered, and that the gendered integration stage had implications for the for the establishment of the new organisation. Research Contribution The influence of gender fluctuated throughout the merger process. We argue for future research in this area for further research on intersectionality in sport organisations. Practical implications We encourage managers to understand how gender relations are historically embedded in sport organisations to understand their contemporary state. We call for managers to consider support might be required for future negotiations. Originality and value We contribute understanding of gender relations in contemporary sport organisations by examining gendered negotiations and their implications.

Towards a conceptual definition of intangible Olympic legacy

PurposeIntangible legacy encapsulates the essence of Olympism and its manifestation, the Olympic Games. Despite significant interest in the capacity of the Olympics to produce notable changes in society, conceptual difficulties in defining and measuring intangible legacy persist. The study develops a conceptual definition of intangible Olympic legacy.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a four-step concept definition approach. It examines and integrates three strands of literature including intangibles, social interactions and public value, which is combined with insights from a longitudinal empirical investigation of intangible Olympic legacy for National Sport Organisations (NSO).FindingsThe proposed concept of intangible legacy defines it an emerging combination of attributes, interactions, processes and technology, with the goal of creating public value which is the ultimate goal of the Olympic Games. Since intangible legacy is qualitative rather than quantitative, a reconsideration of the current research paradigm is also proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe study develops a new analytical device for the investigation of intangible legacies for specific publics such as NSO.Practical implicationsThe study carries practical implications for Olympic and events/festival promoters as it allows defining and operationalising the key attributes of the concept.Originality/valueThis is the first study to conceptualise intangible legacy of mega events.

National sport organization governance design archetypes for the twenty-first century

ABSTRACT Research question This paper revisits our knowledge of sport organization governance design archetypes. To do so, we focus on Canadian national sport organizations (NSOs) and pose three research questions: (1) what governance design archetypes exist based on the use of more contemporary criteria; (2) how easily can an NSO’s archetype be determined; and (3) what are the implications of these new archetypes for researchers and practitioners? Research methods We undertook a landscape study of 32 Canadian NSOs with data from an online survey, publicly-available information, and clarification calls. Archetypes were derived from 47 organizational and governance characteristics using a k-means cluster analysis. Results and Findings Our empirically-derived archetype design taxonomy showed the best fit to be four clusters (Board-led, Executive-led, Professional, and Corporate) based on key organizational values, complexity, capacity, revenue sources, and governance variables. Implications Besides knowing NSOs are more heterogenous than in the past, researchers and practitioners can use capacity, efficiency, horizontal differentiation, broadcast revenue, political accountability, and social media information to derive an NSO’s governance archetype. These findings imply researchers can (1) examine non-profit sport organizations’ changes over time based on a set of archetypes reflecting contemporary realities, and (2) compare and contrast NSOs’ governance more holistically. In turn, managers can better compare their NSO with other NSOs to optimize their organization’s performance. Finally, national sport agencies/funders should support NSOs’ governance improvement efforts through flexible guidelines and resources because of NSOs’ governance heterogeneity.

Developing trans-athlete policy in Australian National Sport Organizations

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore the way Australian national sport organisations (NSOs) create, develop and implement their policies relevant to trans athletes. Representatives of nine NSOs were interviewed utilising in-depth semi-structured interviews. Four key themes emerged from the organisation spokespersons’ accounts: a) finding the right policy, b) underfunded and under resourced, c) challenges of educating employees and the public, and lastly, d) communication between NSOs and the trans athletic community. Findings revealed that only two NSOs reported had specific policies directed at trans athlete’s sport participation. Several NSOs indicated that they had plans to develop separate policies for the different levels of competition to assist trans athletes to participate in their sport as their identified gender. This is the first study to explore the perspective and views of NSOs on the participation of trans athletes in sport.

Two Sports, Two Systems, One Goal: A Comparative Study of Concussion Policies and Practices of the Australian Football League and Hockey Canada.

Concussion in sport is today regarded as both a public health issue and high profile injury concern in many contact and collision sports. This paper undertakes a comparative review of the current policies and practices of two high profile national sporting organisations of such sports—the Australian Football League (AFL) and Hockey Canada (HC)—in governing the issue as a regulatory concern. By examining the policies and practices of the AFL and HC, this study aims to identify common themes, divergent practices, and nuanced sport-specific approaches to develop understandings on the regulation and governance of this high profile sports injury. The paper aims to contribute to understanding concussion as a regulatory concern, while at the same time recognising the heterogeneity of sport and reinforcing nuanced understandings that align to specific social and cultural settings. We make recommendations based on regulatory and cultural legitimacy. The paper concludes that these NSOs are institutional actors with historical and cultural roots who assert regulatory legitimacy by steering and influencing behaviour and directing the regulatory agenda to manage and mitigate the harm associated with concussion.

The Correct Use of Images with Child Protection in Sport

The aim of this research is to produce a study that will guide sports clubs and organizations to use photos and videos without harming and abuse children and to prepare regulations for the correct usage of images in child sports. In this study, document analysis technique from the qualitative research methods was used. For this purpose, the relevant regulations and practices of major national and international sports organizations which has implementation about child safeguarding in sports were examined in terms of general situation, basic principles, risks and measures in the usage of photography and video. Regulations on correct usage of photography and video of 16 different sports organizations from England, Ireland, the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand were included. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive analysis method. The findings show that in the use of photography and video policies implemented by national and international sports organizations, precautions are taken to ensure that permission is sought from parents to use children's images, that personal information of children is not included in image sharing, and that inappropriate angles in photographs and video shoots are avoided. Finally, these policies ban the recording of images in locker rooms, health rooms etc. and it is forbidden to enter these areas with phones etc. that can record images.

Talent Selection Strategies and Relationship With Success in European Basketball National Team Programs.

There is limited knowledge of the talent selection strategies used by national sporting organizations to identify and develop talented players in basketball. Therefore, we aimed to explore differences in selection strategies between European youth basketball national team (NT) programs, and how they relate to the program’s success. Specifically, we examined differences in the number of youth NT players and within-country variance in the 1988–1999 generations between 38 countries (n men = 38, women = 32). Further, we tested if the number of youth NT players and within-country variance was related to the NTs senior ranking, youth ranking, and youth-to-senior player promotion, using generalized Bayesian multilevel models. We further checked the moderating effect of the amount of licensed basketball players in each country. On average, 15.6 ± 2.0 male and 12.4 ± 1.8 female players were selected per generation. Over a third of the NTs consistently selected a higher or lower number of players than the average, with a difference of 8.1 players (95% CI [5.8, 10.8]) for men and 7.6 players (95% CI [5.4, 10.0]) for women between the countries with the highest and lowest average. When licensed players were used as moderator, the differences decreased but did not disappear, in both genders. There was an above 99.3% probability that a higher number of players was positively related to higher men’s senior and youth rankings, and women’s youth ranking. Within countries, generations with a higher number of youth players generated more senior players, with a probability of 98.4% on the men’s, and 97.3% on the women’s side. When licensed players were used as moderator, the probabilities for these relationships remained largely unaffected, apart from women’s youth ranking, which sank to 80.5%. In conclusion, the selection strategy in basketball NT programs varies between European countries and selecting a higher number of players possibly relates to better long-term performance and more players promoted to the senior NTs. These findings show that talent development programs should make conscious decisions about their selection strategies as it can affect their success.

Discursive resistance to gender diversity in sport governance: sport as a unique field?

ABSTRACT Although diversity is an often cited organisational value, its support is often muted when it pertains to boards of governance. The aim of this study is to identify discursive practices that may prevent or limit the implementation of measures to increase gender balance in sport governance at the national and international levels. Drawing on a total of 60 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with board members, we explore both the content of and reasons for discursive opposition to implementing gender balance in the governing boards of international and national sport organisations that purport to value diversity. The results demonstrate that board members justify their resistance to gender balance by drawing on discourses of meritocracy, neoliberalism, silence/passivity, and diversity. Resistance to gender balance in sport governance may in part have roots in the sport capital and habitus of board members, and their ability to utilise that in normalising judgment that may keep women out.

How to re-engage older adults in community sport? Reasons for drop-out and re-engagement

ABSTRACT Internationally, many sport policies articulate a desire for lifelong participation in sport. However, participation often fluctuates throughout the lifespan and most people drop-out at some stage. Most research on drop-out of sport focuses on children and adolescents, with little attention towards other age groups. The aim of this study was to investigate why adults aged 50+ years dropped out of sport during their life, and how and why they may re-engage later in life. Eight focus groups (n = 49) were conducted, with Australian National Sporting Organisations; adults aged 50+ years, who were either currently involved in sport (e.g. player/volunteer/coach) or not currently involved. The Socio-Ecological Model was used to frame the interview questions, and Leisure Constraints Theory was used to analyse the results. The main themes on drop-out included lack of appropriate playing opportunities; competing priorities; and low priority from sporting organisations. The main themes for re-engagement in sport at an older age included improving physical health; social opportunities, especially with family/friends; and having more leisure time. It is recommended that to re-engage adults aged 50+ years in active sport participation, organisations should focus on providing age appropriate playing opportunities, whilst ensuring that social interaction is an integral focus.

The state and sport in Trinidad and Tobago, 1947–2019

ABSTRACT This article examines the transition of the Trinidad and Tobago State from a minimalist role in the development of sport to a more interventionist one in the period 1947–2019 based on documentary sources, while also examining some of the social, political and economic factors that facilitated or shaped this process. To this end, it is structured around two broad periods, a colonial period marked by British rule and a post-colonial period after independence was granted in 1962, which is itself sub divided into 4 periods. In examining this transition, particular attention is paid to the early arms-length, almost apolitical approach of the state to sport, the role of foreign business companies, civil society and the gradual change towards sport following political independence in relation to its (re)positioning in the State apparatus, policy formulation, implementation, funding and facility development. The consequences of greater State involvement in sport in relation to the (over)dependence of the non-profit sector on state funding, the priority given to elite sport and the management of billion dollar sport facilities are also interrogated, together with the ongoing issues of the under-involvement of the local private sector in sport, the lack of sport research and the governance of some of the various National Sport Organizations (NSOs).

The gatekeepers of sport governance – nomination committees’ shaping potential in national sport organizations’ board composition processes

ABSTRACT Research Question The purpose of this paper is to construct knowledge on the working processes of nomination committees (NCs) in sport and analyze their potential to shape board composition. The significance of such an effort lies in its potential to shed light on the processes preceding the structures and practices created for the wielding of power in sport organizations. Research Methods This paper reports findings based on telephone interviews with NCs of 64 Swedish national sport organizations. Results and Findings The analyses show how NC processes may be distinguished into six components: election of the NC at the general assembly (GA), monitoring of the incumbent board, preparation for nominee identification, assembly of a list of potential nominees, evaluation of potential nominees, and submission of proposed nominees to the GA. Within and across these components, the analyses reveal three aspects particularly powerful in their potential to shape board composition: degree of formalization, network reliance, and transparency. Implications These findings have implications for research and practice. Regarding the former, the study provides a baseline description that can be used in future explorations of the NC process and its determinants and effects in varying contexts. As for the latter, the findings suggest that sport organizations carry an untapped potential in considering NCs’ shaping potential, regardless of whether an ‘adequate’ board is one that is equipped to improve organizational efficiency or one that safeguards representation and democracy.

Performance Management Practices in the Sport Sector: An Examination of 32 Scottish National Sport Organizations

Although many studies state the benefits of performance management systems within the sport sector, there has been little research regarding the practical application and suitability of these systems. This study aims to answer this gap by analyzing national sport organizations' performance management models and practices. A qualitative analysis of 32 Scottish national sport organizations’ strategic plans has been undertaken followed up by four interviews of governing body’s representatives and one focus group including eight participants within the Scottish sport system. Ten common performance dimensions, twenty strategic objectives and forty-two key performance indicators were identified. Findings show that the performance management practices of Scottish national sport organizations were affected by institutional pressures, making the use of performance management systems an institutionalized practice. Though, national sport organizations showed pragmatic autonomy by ordinating their behaviors and practices for their own organizational gain, taking advantage of their dependent position when opportunities present themselves such as securing funding.