Voluntary Sport Research Articles

Формирование высшего физкультурного образования в Пензенской области

In modern student sports of the Russian Federation, a prominent place is occupied by a team of students and specialists in physical education and sports of Penza State University. The main efforts in the sport development in the higher education system of the Penza Region were carried out by a team of a specialized faculty of physical education, and later the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports of Penza State University. We analyze the prerequisites developed in the Penza Region and other regions for the opening of a higher educational institution for the physical education specialists training. In the period of 1940-1950, mid-level personnel for schools and physical education groups were trained by technical schools of physical education, which were secondary special educational institutions. Since the faculty opening, sports work at the institute has significantly revived. As throughout the country, in Penza Pedagogical University, the foundation of a sports society, its primary organization was a sports club, which was created at the university, most commonly, by student and local labour union committees. The core of the sports club was students of physical education faculty, although the leadership of the club was based on the first decades at the department of physical education. The core of the sports club was students of physical education, although the leadership of the club in the first decades was based at the physical education department. Sports achievements of students and graduates of the Faculty of Physical Education are presented. We note multiple victories at the championships of the voluntary sports society “Burevestnik”, the championships of the RSFSR, the USSR, the Russian Federation, the Universiades, the World and Europe Championships, Olympic Games in swimming, athletics, volleyball, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics, sambo, speed skating, gymnastics, hockey throughout the entire period of the faculty.

Performance Appraisal Criteria of Coaches According to the Age Group of the Athletes and the Level of Sports Competition

The purpose of our study was to analyse how coach performance appraisal frequency and criteria vary according to the age group of the athletes and the level of sports competition. To that end we surveyed a sample of 223 coaches of voluntary sports clubs in Madeira, Portugal, using an individual and anonymous questionnaire. Although in general coach performance appraisal was not treated as a systematic and structured process by the sports clubs, we did find significant differences between coaches of young athletes and coaches of adults, and between coaches at the regional level and coaches at the national/international level, with respect to the importance of sports results as a coach evaluation criterion. The study suggests applying structured practices in coach performance appraisal and a different approach to assessment according to the age group and specific context of the competition.

An exploratory study on the role of sports volunteers 〜A case of the sports experience programs for visually impaired children〜

An exploratory study on the role of sports volunteers 〜A case of the sports experience programs for visually impaired children〜

Social capital and social ties in organisations: a case study of two voluntary sports clubs

PurposeIf social capital is understood as the ability to access resources through social ties, it is clearly important to understand how people form social ties and what types of ties they form. Research has sought to do this, but it has seldom directly examined how organisations shape these processes and outcomes. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth, comparative case study research was conducted at two voluntary sport organisations in the UK, involving 23 in-depth interviews and participant observation over a 15-month period.FindingsThe case studies showed how key organisational practices structured, in meaningful ways, people’s opportunities for interaction and the nature of that interaction, shaping the ways in which they formed ties and exchanged resources. The organisations fostered the formation of both strong and weak ties, but also “compartmentally intimate” ties.Research limitations/implicationsThe research challenges individualistic, rational choice accounts of tie formation, highlighting the role of organisations as brokers. In addition, interviewees’ accounts challenge well-accepted distinctions between strong and weak ties, by demonstrating the importance of ongoing, context-specific interaction.Originality/valueThis research offers a rare, direct insight into the role of organisations in shaping people’s ongoing social relationships. In doing so, it problematises existing conceptualisations of social capital and social ties and highlights an alternative, organisationally embedded, process-based perspective on social capital.

The role of voluntary sport organisations in leveraging the London 2012 sport participation legacy

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to understand the perceptions of national Voluntary Sport Organisations (VSOs) managers towards a mega sports event and identify the components they felt enhanced or inhibited their organisations capacity to implement a sport participation legacy. London 2012 was the first Olympic Games to explicitly attempt to deliver this type of legacy, and an exploratory, online mixed-method survey examined the perceptions of 105 senior managers from 37 VSOs, post-event. Principal Component Analysis identified four distinct factors: ‘objectives, standards & resources’, ‘event capitalisation & opportunities’, ‘monitoring & evaluation’ and ‘club engagement & implementation’, explaining 51.5% of the variance. Also, relevant organisational characteristics such as sport type, funding and sport size were examined to investigate the influence this had on their capacity. From these findings, the main recommendations are that future mega sport event hosts should: 1) Engage and consult with multiple stakeholders to engender sustained sport participation. 2) Set clear and monitorable objectives. 3) Establish funding and support mechanisms relevant to each sport. 4) Engage non-competing sports in the leveraging process. 5) Finally, event organisers should try to ensure personnel consistency.

Investigating Grassroots Sports’ Engagement for Refugees: Evidence From Voluntary Sports Clubs in Germany

Unprecedented numbers of refugees have affected European society at large, and the organized sports system, in particular. Combining the concepts of organizational capacity and institutional logics, this article examines the engagement of voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) in the process of refugee integration. Drawing on data from a representative sample of n = 5,170 German VSCs through an online survey, the results indicate that 28% of the VSCs reported engagement in the process of integrating refugees by the end of 2015; however, only 14% initiated concrete measures. The statistical analysis highlights the relevance of institutional logics. VSCs are encouraged to carefully handle the tension between business-like management and intensive voluntary work during the integrative process. Financial capacity appears less relevant; the presence of migrant club members and a more professional organizational design, however, appear beneficial. The results imply that involved stakeholders should intensify capacity building programs in the structural dimension of organizational capacity.

A critical discourse analysis of a local enactment of sport for integration policy: Helping young refugees or self-help for voluntary sports clubs?

An increasing number of scholars argue that politicians’ ill-defined policies of sport for integration are difficult to realize and, paradoxically, can lead to a sense of alterity and exclusion. This paper provides a micro-analysis of the ‘slippage’ between government visions of sport for integration for refugees and the local, contextual interpretations of sport policy for inclusion. From a critical constructivist perspective, influenced by critical race theory, it examines policy enactment by asking: ‘How did sport for integration of young refugees get talked and written about in a voluntary sports club?’; ‘How did this language in use construct the practices that became locally naturalized?’; and ‘What ideologies were underpinning these realities’? Findings from the critical discourse analysis revealed that local enactments of policy for integration were mostly built upon assimilationist ideas that can exclude, rather than integrate, refugees, and did ideological work to uphold racialized hierarchies in sport. Alternative visions of integration (such as two-way processes of integration or ideas about celebrating cultural diversity) were rationally marginalized in the everyday business of the voluntary sports club, namely, competitive sport. The findings contribute to the literature that claims VSCs may be unsuitable arenas for integration initiatives aiming to provide meaningful physical activity for refugee youth.

Facilitators and constraints for a wider societal role of voluntary sports clubs – evidence from European grassroots football

ABSTRACTVoluntary sports clubs (VSCs) are increasingly cited by European policy makers as important partners in achieving non-sports related goals. The societal role is assumed to include wider functions (socialization, democratic, and integrative), and the combat against negative externalities which challenge the societal reputation of VSCs. However, VSCs are originally founded to serve members – and not particularly obligated to function as governmental agents. Accordingly, their willingness to adhere to policy goals may differ and they may lack the organizational capacity for wider, valuable societal outcomes. This study inquiries about the degree to which VSCs are committed to take on the wider societal role specified in sport policy documents at the European Union level. Additionally, potential facilitators and constraints are investigated from an organizational capacity perspective. A particular focus is set on gender diversity at the board level. The empirical evaluation draws on data from a survey of n = 4,782 football clubs in Germany, Poland and Italy. The results indicate that VSCs generally intend to take on a wider societal role. However, significant differences across the countries exist, and the commitment to integrate people with a disability and to fight intolerance does not seem to be of high relevance for most clubs. The logistic regression models suggest that VSCs’ structural capacity is particularly beneficial for a wider societal role. Gender diversity at the board level is a valuable capacity in this context. The (relative) importance of different capacity dimensions is highlighted; implications for club managers and policy makers are discussed.

Social inclusion in sports clubs across Europe: determinants of social innovation

Based on the multi-dimensional framework of Damanpour and Schneider [2006. “Phases of the Adoption of Innovation in Organizations: Effects of Environment, Organization and Top Managers 1.” British Journal of Management 17 (3): 215–236], the purpose of this study is to identify the managerial, organizational and environmental determinants of social innovation, depicted in terms of the amount of special initiatives initiated for specific target groups. while considering the initiative's type (i.e. administrative versus technical). A lognormal double hurdle model, on a sample of approximately 5000 voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) from 9 different European countries, indicates significant effects for each level. In particular, positive managerial attitudes and public support through both financial and infrastructural resources are important predictors for a VSC to adopt special initiatives towards a target group. Furthermore, differences between determinants of administrative and technical initiatives are found. These results call for measures in terms of resource support from sports policy-makers at European, national and regional levels, along with the need for VSCs to meet the demands from neglected target groups.

“We want more diversity but…”: Resisting diversity in recreational sports clubs

Participation in sport is highly valued by governments and policy makers. Policies and programs encourage participation of populations who are underrepresented in sport. In many countries sport participation is possible primarily under the auspices of voluntary sports clubs, many of which name demographic diversity as an organizational value. Underrepresented population groups continue to lag, however, in participating in sports clubs. Change has been slow in coming. Relatively little research focuses on resistance by those in positions of leadership to the entry or involvement of underrepresented or marginalized population groups into sports clubs. The purpose of this paper is to develop insight into why change may be so slow in coming even though demographic diversity is purportedly highly valued. Drawing on Raby’s (2005) conceptualizations of practices of resistance, on empirical research on diversity in recreational sports clubs and on work by Foucault, the authors identify six discursive practices that those in positions of leadership in sport clubs draw on to resist diversity: speech acts, moral boundary work, in-group essentialism, denial/silencing, self-victimization, and bodily inscription. The authors conclude that resistance to diversity in sport clubs has emerged from a confluence of discourses that enable noncompliance at the micro level with the use of a macro-level discourse of diversity.

Sport volunteer service performance, image formation, and service encounters

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the link between sport event volunteer service performance and sport spectator experience that leads to future intentions.Design/methodology/approachSubjects were the international visitors at a mega sporting event in South Korea (n=431). The sample was randomly drawn based on convenience sampling method. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was utilized to test the hypotheses. The adequacy and statistical significance of the path models were confirmed by individual indicator loadings, average variance explained, bootstrapt-statistics and convergent validity.FindingsVolunteer service performance significantly predicted event satisfaction, event image, and host city image and indirectly influenced intentions to revisit the event and host city. Event image predicted host city image, event satisfaction and intention to revisit the event. Host city image predicted event satisfaction and intention to revisit the host city. Event satisfaction predicted both intentions to revisit the event and the host city.Originality/valueSport event volunteers are in direct contact with spectators; therefore the performance of volunteers’ service may have an impact on establishing event and host city images perceived by visitors at the event. The research findings suggest that sport event volunteer performance positively affects image formation and further induce international visitors to revisit both the event and the host city. One of the key findings includes the important role of event satisfaction in the association between volunteer performance, image formation and future behavior.

The influence of voluntary sports clubs on the management of community sports facilities in Denmark

ABSTRACTIn this article, we use institutional theory to investigate how the role of the manager of Danish community sports facilities (CSFs) was initially defined and then developed from when the first CSFs were established in 1890 until 2017. We focus on three periods: The formative period (1890–1920), the confirmative period (1960–1980) and the challenging period (1997–2017). We conclude that the expectations for the manager’s role were initially defined by the needs and wishes of voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) and, further, that these expectations were stable throughout the two following periods. The management of CSFs has primarily been concerned with technical aspects such as budgeting, maintenance and cleaning, while the sporting activities in the CSFs have been the responsibility of the VSCs. Based on the analysis, we discuss how the managers of CSFs could handle current challenges such as an excess of available timeslots, cutbacks in subsidies and a maintenance backlog. We conclude that it is questionable whether the managers can provide the solutions to these, as their role seems to remain stable primarily due to a persistent pressure from VSCs to maintain the status quo for the role of the manager – i.e. that the manager should primarily focus on the need and wishes of the VSCs. Finally, we argue that if the aim is to make it possible for the manager to handle the challenges, the municipalities should consider to change the way municipalities allocate subsidies to CSFs.

Child Protection in Voluntary Sports Clubs in Germany — Factors Fostering Engagement in the Prevention of Sexual Violence

Based on the theoretical framework of organisational capacity and using data from an online survey of 8571 sports clubs in Germany, this study investigates clubs’ engagement towards child protection and the prevention of sexual violence. Only half of the clubs indicate that the prevention of sexual violence is a relevant topic for them, and on average, the clubs have implemented between two and three prevention measures. Pertaining to organisational capacity, human resource capacity (e.g. share of volunteers, share of women on the board) and structural capacity (e.g. club culture) exhibit significant effects on clubs’ activation towards child protection.

Do public subsidies and facility coverage matter for voluntary sports clubs?

In many countries, voluntary sports clubs are the main recipients of public subsidies regarding the provision of recreational sport, and the economically most important level of government is usually the local government (i.e. the municipalities). The purpose of this article is to examine whether and how municipal framework conditions matter for sports clubs. Inspired by previous studies, we examine the role of direct and indirect public subsidies as well as facility coverage. The authors conduct analyses on a general level (for all sports) and specifically for five sports (badminton, football, gymnastics, handball and swimming). The differentiation between sports allows us to examine how municipal framework conditions might be associated differently with density and participation across sports. In the statistical analyses, the authors apply data collected among all 98 Danish municipalities. The results show that the municipal levels of direct and indirect subsidies are weakly correlated with both the density of and participation in sports clubs, while stronger correlations can be identified with regard to facility coverage. The analyses for the five sports reveal that the supply of relevant facility types is – with few exceptions – positively correlated with sports club density and participation levels within each sport. Thus, facility coverage seems to play a more important role for sports clubs than the levels of indirect and particularly direct subsidies.

Professionalization of voluntary sport organizations – a study of the Quality Club Programme of the Norwegian Football Association

ABSTRACTResearch Question: This research investigates Norwegian football clubs’ participation in the Quality Club Programme (QCP) as a case of professionalization consisting of two stages – short term: more education, knowledge and documentation as well as better skills and improved organizational structure; long term: potential problems related to bureaucracy and full-fledged professions. In light of this distinction, the researchers ask the clubs why they take part in QCP and what they want to get out of it. This paper also invites reflections on the more troublesome part of voluntary organizations’ participation in processes of professionalization. Finally, we explore what the clubs understand to be the driving forces behind the programme and discuss whether these factors are conducive to the aims that the clubs have for their participation.Research Methods: The data comprise semi-structured interviews with 22 football clubs analysed by theme-based coding and categorization.Results and Findings: Clubs take part in QCP because they are expected to (i.e. institutionalization), to increase their autonomy and to improve their control over important resources: volunteers (i.e. resource dependency). To achieve this, the clubs see better routines, more predictability and improved structure as imperative. This study’s results show that what clubs report as making the programme function does not always work in favour of the clubs’ aims.Implications: The findings indicate that broad, multi-institutional approaches and action-oriented theories are necessary for understanding the choices and actions of voluntary sport clubs. Also shown is how the tools chosen for organizational development could be contrary to organizations’ aims.

Selling volunteering or developing volunteers? Approaches to promoting sports volunteering

This article considers the balance between promoting volunteering in sport by emphasising the personal rewards to prospective volunteers themselves – the dominant management approach – and promoting it by the long-term development of the values of volunteering. We review the motivations and rewards of sports volunteers and how these can be used to promote volunteering as being a transaction between the volunteer and the organisation. This is contrasted with a lifecourse approach to understanding volunteering, and evidence that an understanding of the value of volunteering can be inculcated that underpins continued volunteering. The two approaches regard potential volunteers respectively as ‘consumers’ and as ‘citizens’. We suggest that a shift to treating volunteers as consumers can lead to volunteering being regarded as transactional. The discussion has implications for volunteering in general – in particular, how it can be promoted in a society where narratives of ‘the consumer’ increasingly dominate over those of ‘the citizen’.

New Values Created by Sport Volunteers with Disabilities

New Values Created by Sport Volunteers with Disabilities

The Role of Accounting and Accountability in the Professionalization of Voluntary Sports Organizations

The Role of Accounting and Accountability in the Professionalization of Voluntary Sports Organizations

Motivations for Participation or Non-Participation in Sports Volunteering Activities Among University Students Focusing on Students Studying Physical Education

Motivations for Participation or Non-Participation in Sports Volunteering Activities Among University Students Focusing on Students Studying Physical Education

Health Regulatory Focus, Selection Optimization and Compensation Strategy and Sports Practice: A Mediational Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate associations of health promotion and prevention regulatory foci with sports practice, and examined the Selection, Optimization and Compensation (SOC) process behind the positive relationship between health promotion focus and sports practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 513 French volunteer sports participants aged from 18 to 82. Participants completed an online self-report survey measuring health regulatory foci, SOC strategy, Amount of Sports Practice (ASP), health condition, and educational level. Path analysis main results (χ2 = 16.64; df = 5; p < .01; RMSEA = 0.067; CFI = 0.98; R2 = .24) demonstrated that ASP was positively related with health promotion focus (β = .13, p < .01), SOC strategy (β = .28, p < .001) and negatively related with health prevention focus (β = -.20, p < .001). SOC strategy was positively related with health promotion focus (β = .39, p < .001) and bootstrapping analyses revealed that this strategy partially mediated the positive relationship between health promotion focus and ASP, 95% CI [.13, .29]. Finally, additional analyses showed that it was specifically the elective selection, optimization and compensation sub-components of SOC strategy which played mediating roles in this link, [.13, .29] < 95% CI < [.13, .29]. For the first time in the literature, these results evidenced direct links between health regulatory foci and sports practice, and a mechanistic pathway between health promotion focus and sports practice. The theoretical and applied implications of these results for sports promotion are discussed.