Lifelong involvement in Sports
Concepts of Lifetime Sports
Mass Participation
The benefits of mass participation are both intrinsic and
extrinsic.
INTRINSIC
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Promotes mental health
Promotes physical health
Positive use of spare time
EXTRINSIC
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Healthy people mean less
strain on the health
system.
Crime and antisocial
behaviour is reduced
Economic benefits
Mass Participation - Constraints
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Some people suffer constraints that prevent them from
taking part in sport.
The aim of mass participation is to break through these
constraints so as many people as possible participate.
Constraints on Participation
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Age
Gender
Disability
Ethnicity
Social class
Mass Participation - Constraints
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TARGET GROUPS – is a group identified by sport
England as needing special attention to raise participation
levels. These groups have certain factors in common in
that they are subordinate to the dominant group in
society. Consequently they share similar problems in
participating in sport or physical recreation.
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Target Groups
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Women
Low income
Ethnic minorities
Very young
Very old
disabled
Mass Participation - Opportunity
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In the UK most sport takes place in clubs on a voluntary
basis.
It is mainly elite as fees have to be paid or as in some
cases e.g. Golf clubs you have to be nominated to join.
This limits membership to a few only.
Mass Participation
Time
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Women face difficulty due
to having both work and
family constraints.
Having to work long
hours in certain jobs or
shift work can also reduce
how much time is available
.
Provision
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Not all areas have suitable
facilities available.
Some sports require
expensive equipment.
Mass Participation
Esteem
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Some find it difficult to
participate due to views
and judgement of society.
In some cultures women
are discouraged to
participate.
Some believe that if
women do participate it
should be in a “feminine”
sport.
Stereotypes and Myths
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Some minority groups are
labelled as having certain
characteristics and are
therefore steered into
some sports and away
from others.
E.g. Black men can’t swim,
white men can’t jump,
Asians can’t play football
Mass Participation
Peer Pressure
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Children will conform to
stereotypes.
They are influenced
greatly by their friends.
This is highest in early
teens which coincides
with when key choices are
made.
Geographical Factors
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The distance from
facilities or natural
resources needed to
participate in a particular
sport will determine what
activity is chosen and how
often they participate.
Mass Participation – Educational factors
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Most learn to play a sport at school.
Therefore the type of experience one gets from school
physical education will influence their choice in
adulthood.
Team games tend to dominate PE curriculums. The
introduction of schemes such as sport education helps
raise and keep interest in senior school.
School facilities are being opened up to the public
resulting in more access to sport facilities.
Mass Participation – Reformative Policies
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Making England Active – aims to help people of all ages
start and stay active in sport.
Multi Sport Hubs – development of community sports
facilities that offer multiple activities as well as
educational, social and health services.
Active Places Initiative – web based resource that allows
people to search for facilities in their area.
Public Service Agreements – agreements between various
agencies to increase participation in sport in different
areas.
Mass Participation – Specialist Agencies
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Women’s Sport Foundation - charity that campaigns to
make physical activity an everyday part of life for women
and girls. (http://wsff.org.uk)
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) - a
charity responsible for the promotion and development
of sporting opportunities for all disabled people in
England. (http://www.efds.co.uk/)
Kick it Out - football's equality and inclusion campaign. It
works throughout the football, educational and
community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage
inclusive practices and work for positive change.
(http://www.kickitout.org/)
Mass Participation – other schemes
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Concessions – special prices at sports facilities for target
groups
Local Schemes – different local authorities have set up
schemes tailored to their areas. Many have a referral
system from the doctor’s surgery coinciding with
specialised schemes to get people involved and active.
School and county sports partnerships – Develop and
streamline a localised network of clubs, coaches,
volunteers and competitive opportunities.
Lifetime Sports
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Some sports can be pursued throughout life e.g.
badminton, golf.
This is because they are self paced, which means that they
can play at their own level or energy output. The
concentration can also be on fun and enjoyment rather
than competition.
One belief is that school s should introduce lifetime
sports into the curriculum so that the interest can be
carried into adulthood.
However in most schools they follow the National
Curriculum which bis domintaed by invasion games.
Leadership and Volunteering
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Performers need, coaches, administration, officials, leaders
if they to participate.
Sport England found that to promote participation it must
encourage volunteers to do these jobs.
Approximately 1.2 million people regularly coach sports
in the UK and there are 6 million sport volunteers also.
These are usually non qualified and unpaid individuals.
Leadership and Volunteering
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There are various schemes available which help train
volunteers.
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The Sports Leader Award is aimed at school and college
students and gives them the necessary skills to lead
groups.
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Step into Sport was established by The Youth Sport Trust
in partnership with Sport England and Sports Leaders UK
to give 14-16 year olds opportunities to get involved with
leadership and volunteering