Successful attempt to develop understanding of the various aspects of sport development

Derrick Charway and Josephine Traberg
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Prior to the new millennium, the term “sport development” was often used ambiguously or without a clear definition. This lack of consensus can be attributed to the interdisciplinary nature of sport studies, which allows for diverse interpretations depending on the specific field of inquiry. Areas such as sport science, sociology, psychology, management, philosophy, and economics were often studied independently. While this fragmentation persists today, the early 2000s marked a significant shift, as the United Nations and academia began to recognise and promote sport development as a distinct field of study. The term “sport development” has since become widely used and debated. While there are various perspectives, such as “sport in development”, “development in sport”, “plus sport” and “sport plus”, the lack of a universally accepted conceptualisation remains a challenge. This ambiguity can make it difficult to define and study sport, as an end in itself or as means for development, within the academic literature.

What sets this book apart from many others on sport and development is its approach as an introductory textbook. It provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of sport studies, making it an invaluable resource for students and aspiring sport managers. The book has 4 editors and 17 authors from different parts of the world. The editors begin by conceptualising sport development into two categories: “Development of Sport” (SD) and “Sport for Development” (SFD). These two categories serve as the linchpin for the book’s four main parts: Part I – Theory and Policy Context, Part II – Sport Development, Part III – Sport for Development, and Part IV – Research and Evaluation. Each part is further divided into two, three of four chapters, each with a clear outline, objectives, main topical issues, case studies, summary, and discussion questions or exercises. This structure effectively integrates theoretical concepts with various practical applications, providing readers with a well-rounded understanding of the field.

This structure effectively integrates theoretical concepts with various practical applications, providing readers with a well-rounded understanding of the field.

Part I introduces the management of sport development as the mainstay of the book, emphasising the relevance of sustainable development, as well as the historical, political, and social dimensions of sport. From the outset (Chapter 1), the editors clearly delineate the distinction between Development of Sport (SD) and Sport for Development (SFD), providing a foundational framework for the subsequent chapters (see Figure 1.1, p. 7). While the authors acknowledge the shared characteristics of SD and SFD, they also highlight their distinct objectives and areas of focus. As the editors articulate, “SD aims to create pathways for professional participation and talent identification, while SFD focuses on the role that sport can play in contributing to specific social outcomes and overall community well-being” (p. 6). This sets the stage for the more in-depth exploration of sport development in the subsequent chapters (2 and 3) and effectively sets expectations for the reader in Parts II, III, and IV.

Part II delves into specific aspects of sport development. This section comprises four chapters: focus areas for sport development (Chapter 4), community sport (Chapter 5), high-performance development pathways (Chapter 6) and managerial aspects of sport development (Chapter 7). The themes discussed include the recruitment, retention, and nurturing of athletes; inclusion, equity, and diversity; high-performance sport pathways and approaches; and the stakeholders involved in the management and delivery of sport. Predominantly, these themes pertain more to SD, with the notable exception of the chapter on community sport, which addresses both SD and SFD. It would have been beneficial for Part II to incorporate themes related to both initiatives, as this would better reflect the duality of sport development. Additionally, referring to Part II as “Development of Sport,” abbreviated as “SD”, could have been more suitable, given that Part II is more focused on SD than SFD. The case studies presented in Part II offer concrete examples of SD practices in various contexts, lending a practical nuance to the chapters and ensuring they do not become overly theoretical.

Part III, titled “Sport for Development,” specifically addresses SFD initiatives. Across three chapters, contemporary themes such as sport’s contribution to the SDGs (Chapter 8), history, themes and lessons learned from SFD (Chapter 9), and managerial considerations (Chapter 10) are discussed. Particularly noteworthy are the discussions on sustainable development, sport for peace, and the practitioner–scholar divide, which not only enhance the understanding of SFD but also provide critical analyses of its practical implementation. Regarding the practitioner–scholar divide, the authors discuss Schulenkorf et al.’s (2016) review of SFD, which acknowledges disparities in the geographic representation of projects and researchers globally. They found that a significant 50% of SFD programmes and policies relied solely on “international experts” for implementation. Thus, indicating in the authors’ words, a “helicopter approach” that contributes to widening the divide between local and international actors in SFD, both in terms of implementation and research. Furthermore, the authors highlight the geographical paradox of study location versus study authorship. This is important, but perhaps also ironic considering that all the book authors are from North America, Europe, and Australia. In efforts to mitigate the practitioner–scholar divide, the authors in Part III do incorporate SFD case studies from other parts of the world, such as Oceania, the Middle East, and South America.

In the fourth and final part, Research and Evaluation, the editors conclude the book with two chapters: researching and evaluating sport development and SFD (Chapter 11) and current trends and future challenges (Chapter 12). The lack of monitoring and evaluation in the early stages (and presently) of SFD has led to academic critiques cautioning against the glamourising of sport’s role in development with “practices not based on evidence” (Kruse, 2006: 8), “heartfelt narratives” (Hartmann & Kwauk, 2011: 286), and “unquestioned beliefs grounded in wishful thinking” (Coakley, 2011: 307). In Chapter 11, the editors use the Programme Logic Model, adapted from Coalter (2013), to underscore the importance of monitoring, evaluation, and learning, advocating for evidence-based policy in both SD and SFD settings. Here, the editors provide a visual representation and step-by-step analysis of how inputs, outputs, and impacts of SD and SFD programmes link to outcomes. While the Programme Logic Model is straightforward and preferred by smaller organisations, the Theory of Change, though covered briefly in Chapter 9, would have been ideal for a more comprehensive approach to monitoring, evaluation, and learning. The Theory of Change offers a detailed framework that outlines complex pathways to outcomes – provides greater flexibility and options, accounts for extraneous variables, and is better suited for exploring the broader context – in which sport development programmes operate. The final chapter, Chapter 12, outlines current trends in managing SD and SFD, highlighting future opportunities to address challenges that may undermine the sport development field. For SD, key areas likely to shape future practice include child safety regulation and athlete well-being, the evolution of sport participation products, community sport facility design, volunteer attraction and retention, and gender equality. For SFD, the trends include diversifying funding sources, advancements in technology, integrating climate change into SFD discussions, and increasing the focus on indigenous approaches and voices.

While Part IV is insightful, the use of “SD” to mean “sport development” can be confusing, especially for those new to the field. This is particularly problematic as the editors originally used “SD” to refer to the “development of sport” in Chapter 1 while also appearing under the glossary of Abbreviations to mean “sport development”.  Better clarification of these terms is essential to maintain coherence throughout the book.

In conclusion, “Managing Sport Development: An International Approach” offers a valuable contribution to the literature on sport development. Its introductory nature, comprehensive coverage of key topics, and practical examples make it a useful resource for students, practitioners, and researchers seeking to explore this interdisciplinary field.

Copyright © Derrick Charway & Josephine Traberg 2024

References

Coakley, J. (2011). Youth Sports: What Counts as “Positive Development?”. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 35(3), 306-324. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723511417311

Coalter, F. (2013). Sport for development: What game are we playing? London: Routledge.

Hartmann, D., & Kwauk, C. (2011). Sport and development: An overview, critique, and reconstruction. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 35(3), 284-305. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723511416986

Kruse, Stein-Erik (2006). Review of Kicking AIDS Out. Is sport an effective tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Oslo: Norad.

Schulenkorf, N., Sherry, E., & Rowe, K. (2016). Sport for Development: An integrated literature review. Journal of Sport Management, 30(1), 22-39. Retrieved Sep 19, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2014-0263