Twenty-first century- contemporary factors shaping sport

Question 1

• Class:

Answer 1

• Sport is associated with those who are perceived to be of a certain social class
• Traditionally, football was played and watched by the working classes, but it is now much more mixed. Middle classes are now likely to state they are football fans
• Tennis, golf and polo are still associated with the upper/middle classes because of the expenses and social elitism associated with joining such clubs
• Elite Olympic sports has a disproportionate number of privately educated and, therefore, more middle-class athletes
• Sport participation of over 16-year-olds is greater among higher socio-economic groups
• Social mobility can be achieved through sports

Question 2

• Amateurism and professionalism:

Answer 2

• Social class is a factor in whether someone is likely to be an amateur or professional in sport
• Amatuers in cricket and rugby have traditionally been middle class
• Professionals in football have traditionally been working class
• Rugby now consists of a broad range of professionals from all backgrounds

Question 3

• Gender:

Answer 3

• More men than women still participate in or watch sport
• Sport is still regarded by some as ‘unfeminine’, reinforcing male dominance in sport and sports coverage
• Certain activities are traditionally linked to males (team sports) and females (dance)
• However, more women than ever are now involved in physical exercise and there is more interest more interest in health and fitness activities
• Participation rates of women in football and rugby are continuing to grow
• There is an increased number of female sports presenters, encouraging interest and female role models

Question 4

• Law and order:

Answer 4

• Legislation that affects sport is sophisticated and specific to sport
• The rights of athletes and spectators and their safety are now protected by law
• The law has also been used increasingly to protect or to litigate against officials and referees
• Banning orders have been used in football to stop disruptive fans from travelling broad
• The law has been involved in the misuse of drugs, misconduct on a off the field and ‘match fixing’
• Laws to prevent discrimination based on race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation and religion exist in the UK, and these have had an impact on sport

Question 5

• Education:

Answer 5

• Children between ages of 5 and 16 must receive an education
• Exams and qualifications in P.E and sport, including sports science, have increased in availability in the 21st century.
• GCE A level, GCSE, Cambridge National, BTECs and Cambridge Technical qualifications are available in PE/sport
• Univerisites offer a wide range of PE/sport-related degrees

Question 6

• Availability of time:

Answer 6

• Society has become much more technological, increasing time available
• Flexible working conditions increase time available
• Most people are better off, although a substantial number of people struggle to make ends meet

Question 7

• Availability of money:

Answer 7

• The global recession has affected disposable income; less money is being sport and exercise, and participation rates down since 2012

Question 8

• Availability of transport:

Answer 8

• The availability of transport has increased; access to cars, buses, trains and cheap air fares have increased sport participation and spectator ship

Question 9

• Define globalisation:

Answer 9

• A process that involves sport as a worldwide business and features corporate brands, media coverage and freedom of movement of sports participants, officials and spectators

Question 10

• What are the 3 factors that affect the globalisation of sport?

Answer 10

• Freedom of movement for performers
• Greater exposure of people to sport
• Media coverage

Question 11

• Freedom of movement for performers and greater exposure of people to sport:

Answer 11

• Sport is a global marketplace for participants to demand high wages for their skills e.g. football
• National and international laws allow freedom of movement (particularly in the EU)
• Some performers change nationality (athletics)
• Many spectators now travel to support teams or watch international competitions (olympics); cheap air travel is available

Question 12

• Media coverage (TV, press, radio, internet, cinema):

Answer 12

• Increased TV coverage due to commercial boost of late 1990’s (satelite TV) led to globalisation of sport
• Media increased number of people watching televised sport- rugby league changed seasons to fit in with this
• Very little media attention has been devoted to sporting inequalities based on class, gender and ethnicity
• Rules have been influenced and timings of games are fixed to suit TV
• Olympic Games events are often scheduled at unsuitable times, due to TV
• In cricket, the 3rd umpire has come into play due to the influence of TV