Chapter 4 - Social, cultural and ethical influences Flashcards
Leisure time
Leisure time is time spent away from work and free from obligations.
Physical recreation
Physical recreation is a physical activity or pastime that promotes health, relaxation and enjoyment.
Play
Play is to take part in a sport or activity for enjoyment.
Sport
Sport is an activity that involves physical exertion and skill, either as an individual or as part of a team competing against another person or team.
Factors that influence what recreational activities people will do in leisure time
Age, interests, social circumstances, family influences, peer influences, facilities available, area where you live
Factors that influence growth in leisure activities
Increase in leisure time, advances in technology, improvements in healthcare, better health awareness, more leisure facilities, reduced cost of equipment, improvements in travel methods, wider media coverage
Sports development pyramid
Stage 1 - Foundation stage
Stage 2 - Participation stage
Stage 3 - Performance stage
Stage 4 - Elite stage
Foundation stage
Foundation stage is the base of the pyramid, the first stage at which people come into contact with sports. In any sport, the largest number of people taking part will be at this level. The foundation stage consists of beginners and younger people, involves mass participation, is about recreation and having fun, learning and developing basic skills such as running or throwing and is found at school age in PE lessons or in ‘mini sports’ activities.
Participation stage
Participation stage is all about the enjoyment factor of playing sports. This level is about taking part in organized sporting activities at clubs or leisure centers, being with friends and like-minded individuals who are there to enjoy playing sport and having a more structured environment that the foundation stage.
Performance stage
Performance stage is about competition. There may be lower-level performers taking part in competitive sports but by now the performers tend to have a higher level of ability to perform key skills needed for the sport. At the performance stage the focus is on developing the level of performance towards the elite level, participants will concentrate on one or two sports and develop specific skills, training and competition becomes more regular and more important and the emphasis is more on being a professional and less about just having fun.
Elite stage
Elite stage is the pinnacle of the pyramid and involved performers at the highest level. The pyramid is at its narrowest at this point as very few people reach this level. At the elite stage performers now move from regional teams to national teams, governing bodies are responsible for the performers development, high levels of support are given to prepare the performers both physically and mentally through coaching, medical care, equipment, diet and mentoring, performers lead a lifestyle designed to maintain high level of fitness meaning sacrifices are required as their lifestyle is centered around performing and competition and performers are most likely professional.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is the support given to a sport, sports event or organization by an outside body of person for the mutual benefit for both parties.
3 main forms of sponsorship
Financial support, clothing/footwear/equipment and provision of specialist facilities
Financial support
Financial support means funding from the sponsor can help to pay for the daily living and training costs of performers. In return, the performers will need to promote the business by wearing branded sportswear during competitions or at public functions.
Clothing, footwear or equipment
Clothing, footwear and equipment for example, Nike provides Barcelona with all of their best kits and equipment. The team does not pay for any of this. In return, Nike will receive huge public exposure and support from the club players and officials at events.
Provision of specialist facilities
Provisions of specialist facilities during the 2012 Olympics, O2 arena in London was renamed the north Greenwich area to host the tennis competition, it has now returned to the o2 brand and will continue to gain further finance from other competitions.
Advantages of sponsorship to a performer or a team
Funding allows athletes to train and compete full time. Performers receive the best clothing and equipment. Athletes have the chance to become very wealthy through sponsorship.
Disadvantages of sponsorship to a performer or a team
Support may be withdrawn if an athlete’s image is damaged. Sponsors may go bankrupt and withdraw funding. Athletes need to perform extra duties, affecting their training schedule.
Advantages of sponsorship to a sponsor
Being linked to success can raise the sponsor’s profile. Displaying the brand helps to increase sales and revenue through advertising. Sponsorship money is generally not taxed.
Disadvantages of sponsorship to a sponsor
Negative role models could damage the sponsor’s image. E.g. Lance Armstrong was convicted of using performance enhancing drugs.
Advantages of sponsorship to a sport or event
Funding is used to improve coaching and training facilities. Sponsorship money may be used to fund community schemes, leading to an increase in participation.
Disadvantages of sponsorship to a sport or event
Pressure from sponsors can lead to rule changes, which can affect the flow of the game. Minority sports may lose out as sponsors prefer high-profile sports.
Advantages of sponsorship to the audience and spectators
Funding is used to improve spectator facilities, improving the viewing experience. Sponsors raise the sports profile, leading to an increase in media coverage, allowing supporters to watch from home.
Disadvantages of sponsorship to the audience and spectators
Sponsorship deal with media companies may mean coverage changes from free to pay-per-view.
Timings of games may change as sponsors want prime time exposure.
Types of media coverage
Television, internet/social media, print and radio
Television
Television inlcuding non-subscription channels deliver sports to the audience. Funding for the BBC is via the licence fee and for other channels is via advertisement money. Channels can bid to show sports or those the government has ring fenced. Subscription channels such as satellite and cable services and pay to view channels have led to improved broadcasting.
Internet and social media
Internet and social media as the internet allows access to both broadcast and print media. It offers the audience up to date, accessible and varied information, as well as the means to look up past events and statistics. Websites provide information about athletes, sporting events and ticketing. Social media gives fans access to information and video footage from individual athletes, teams and sports events. Facebook, twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn invite people to share and connect with their idols.
Print as newspapers are published daily or weekly with sports sections. There are sports focused newspapers. Magazines have general and specific information or articles on sport, interviews advice and insight into sport and different ranges of audience targeted depending on different sports.
Radio
Radio offers live coverage and bulletins with up-to-date information. Sports specific stations. Can be listened to while on the move. Allows people to interact and share opinions through phone ins and interviews.
Advantages of media coverage to the performer or team
Media places the spotlight on performers, making it easier for them to attract sponsorship. Media funding has led to increased wages and prize money. Media attention allows performers to develop their reputations, become role models and achieve fame.
Disadvantages of media coverage to a performer or team
Exposure of athletes through the media can lead to a lack of privacy for the performer and their family. Media scrutiny means that comments and behavior can lead to fines and the loss of a sponsorship.
Advantages of media coverage to the sport or event
Standards of performance improve as media funding is used to develop coaching and training facilities. Improved coverage has raised interest and awareness, inspiring more people to attend live events and participate themselves.
Disadvantages of media coverage to the sport or event
People may choose to watch at home leading to reduced attendances at events and over exposure could lead to a loss of interest amongst supporters. Media feeds and obsessions with statistics and record which can distract from the skills of the sport. Minority sports receive less media attention and funding which affects participation and development. Sports may change format to suit media needs.
Advantages of media coverage to the audience and spectators
Media funding may be used to develop spectator facilities or stadiums, leading to an improved viewing experience. Those watching from home benefit from a higher quality of broadcasting and receive insider knowledge from expert analysis.
Disadvantages of media coverage to the audience and spectators
Pay per view channels are costly meaning many people cannot afford to follow the action. Event timings may be altered to suit media interests and not the players or the fans.
Advantages of hosting a global competition for stadiums and training facilities
Improved sports facilities are built that can be used both before and after the competition.
Disadvantages of hosting a global competition for stadiums and training facilities
Sports facilities can be a potential target for terrorists or those seeking to make their political views known.
Advantages of hosting a global competition for home advantage
Hosting an event can give a country home advantage, with more spectators cheering home performers on. Performers also benefit from competing in a familiar environment and climate.
Disadvantages of hosting a global competition for home advantage
Added pressure onto performers from home nations to do well.
Advantages of hosting a global competition for national pride
Can create a buzz for the country’s residents, improving optimism and a sense of national pride.
Disadvantages of hosting a global competition for national pride
If the home team does not perform well, that can lead to a lowering of morale and feelings of negativity and pessimism.
Advantages of hosting a global competition for tourism
Increase in tourism with more visitors to the country, spending more money on hotels, food and so on. This can lead to improved status and awareness of the city or country.
Disadvantages of hosting a global competition for the economy and employment
Risk of competition being poorly organised or not run effectively, which gives the country a poor image.
Disadvantages of hosting a global competition for tourism
Increased tourism can put pressure on facilities. Tourists experience can also be negative and create bad publicity for the host nation.
Advantages of hosting a global competition for the economy and employment
Good for the economy with financial benefits from visitors at the time of the competition and from those who visit afterwards. There is increased employment during the event.
Advantages of hosting a global competition for legacy implications
Event offers a legacy, in terms of better facilities available both for elite training and community use. Increased interest can lead to more participation in sports.
Disadvantages of hosting a global competition for legacy implications
If not managed properly, legacy benefits can quickly disappear
Advantages of hosting a global competition for infrastructure
Improved infrastructure around the venues and main cities such as roads, railways and accommodation, offering long term benefits to the local society.
Disadvantages of hosting a global competition for infrastructure
Huge financial cost of investing in infrastructure and sports facilities. Security concerns and the cost of added security.
Amateur
An amateur is engaging in a sports pursuit on an unpaid basis.
Professional
A professional performs in a sports activity as one’s main paid occupation, rather than a pastime.
Characteristics of a professional
Sport is their job.
Professionals take part for money.
Winning is the main aim, as they can often receive more money when they win more.
Training and playing is their job, this is a full-time occupation to be ready to perform and be in prime condition to do so.
They perform where and when they are told to by clubs, managers, sponsors etc.
Characteristics of an amateur
Sport is a leisure activity.
Amateurs take part for the enjoyment.
Taking part is more important than the result.
Training is done during their spare time, fitted in around other commitments such as work or family.
They choose when and where to take part.
Open
Open are sports in which both professionals and amateurs can compete together e.g. tennis and golf
Blurred lines between amateurs and professionals
The IOC (international Olympic committee) has allowed professional athletes to compete in the Olympic games since the 1980s which has further blurred the lines between amateur and professional athletes.
Examples of technology in sport
Ball tracking, infra-red imaging, fully automatic time, goal line technology, laser measurement
Ball tracking
Ball tracking e.g. using hawk-eye is a complex computer system used in sports such as cricket and tennis to visually track the trajectory of the ball and show its most likely path.
Infra-red imaging
Infra-red imaging systems are used in cricket to determine whether the ball has struck the batsman, bat or pads. This helps the umpire to decide whether a batsman is in or out.
Fully automatic time
Fully automatic time is a method of timing a race where the clock is activated by sensors in the starting blocks and stopped by line scan cameras using a laser line at the finish.
Goal line technology
Goal line technology is used to determine whether the ball has crossed the goal line. A radio signal can be sent to the referees watch within a second.
Laser measurement
Laser measurement are distance measuring devices that can produce accurate, computer generated measurements for field events.
Positive effects of technology on officials
Helps to make correct decisions.
Improves communication with colleagues.
Negative effects of technology on officials
Reversed decisions may lead to officials being undermined.
May become too reliant on the system to make decisions.
Positive effects of technology on performers
Improvements in training leading to improved performance.
Able to review decisions in competition that may go against them unfairly.
Negative effects of technology on performers
Not all performers have access to the best technology.
Gives advantages to performers from wealthier countries.
Can interrupt or slow down the game.
Positive effects of technology on the audience or spectators
Better informed from expert analysis, replays or different camera angles.
Can see how decisions are made and trust that they are fair.
Added excitement in drama of waiting for the decision.
Negative effects of technology on the audience or spectators
May see errors or poor decisions if viewing platform with technology that the officials don’t have, causing problems for the officials and the sport.
To keep play fast only a few reviews are allowed, so mistakes are still made if the team or player has no reviews left.
Positive effects of technology on the sport or event
Fairer and more consistent decision making.
Adds drama and suspense while the decision is being made.
Brings in more investment
Negative effects of technology on the sport or event
Can disrupt or slow play down if used too often.
Doesn’t always give the correct decision.
Investors such as media companies may demand more influence in return for the investment.