Sport events

Introduction

 Sports are beneficial to the individual and the community. Participants enjoy social connections, self-esteem, psychosocial health, and positive development. The sports sector also creates safe communities, promotes social inclusion, and nation’s pride and unity. However, sport is influenced by many factors such as socioeconomic status, age, and more. Individuals from diverse communities in Australia are joining the sports sector and they have contributed to social cohesion. However, these individuals are struggling with barriers to participation and it is the high time the sporting organization and government recognize these barriers and make sport an inclusive activity.

Key community values and organizational philosophy

 Participation

 First, it is important to understand that community view sports events as a way of building strong and safer communities. Therefore, community values participation, or in other words, everyone should participate in the events to increase the levels of physical activity. As a result, the individuals and communities will benefit from mental health, physical health, cost reduction for health problems, and increase community cohesion (Australia, 2018). Also, participation increases social connectivity and the coordinated action would lead to social efficiency.

 Integration and inclusion

 Sports organizations should give all people including disabled people an opportunity to enjoy the sport. Integration means creating a sports environment for people with disabilities and inclusion means allowing people with disabilities to mingle with the general population with a strong focus of  having social and personal benefits (Australia, 2018). Everyone should participate in sport regardless of cultural background, gender, and other personal characteristics. There should be no discrimination and harassment and everyone should develop a sense of belonging.

 Culture

 Sports events should recognize people from all cultures and respect their rights.  In other words, there should be a respect for diversity and all people should have the right to cultural expression (Australia, 2018).  All cultures should have dignity and value and no group should be discriminated based on clothing, beliefs, sports and game, and more.

 Equity

 Research in barriers to participation has found that some people do not engage in sport due to factors such as unemployment, language, physical condition, low income, and more (Australia, 2018). The community wants all people including the minority group to participate in sport. Women should also have an equal chance and they should not be restricted based on gendered cultural expectations.

Quality

 Players need skill performances and enough operating hours to produce quality in terms of enjoyment and satisfaction. Spectators want quality games to enrich their lives and develop a social experience. Spectators also conduct post-consumption events and they may develop positive or negative perceptions (Australia, 2018). Therefore, the sports service should be of high quality.

 Flexibility

 The role of flexibility is to enhance performance. Players need power and strength to participate. Flexibility also allows the players to gain mental and physical fitness which lower the risk of back pain and other health problems. 

Community profile

 In Australia, cricket is a way of life; meaning that cricket is a national sport that is played by all Australians. There is a junior cricket program and half-a million of youth have been enrolled in the program. Cricket is also a national school strategy and some schools have incorporated cricket in school as an extracurricular activity (Oliver, 2006).  Children find the game enjoyable and meaningful. Cricket is also played by indigenous people and it is used as a strategy to promote individual and community well-being. Indigenous people have participated in international levels. Cricket Australia look forward to strengthening the Indigenous communities (Oliver, 2006). Several cricket representatives are working to identify the barriers to participation. Some of the barriers to participation include lack of information, lack of finances, and geographical diversity. The cricket representatives are using a holistic approach to address the barriers and also to provide sports training to the community (Oliver, 2006). Cricket Australia is also partnering with the Australian Government to create a united game and promote diversity.

Review existing provisions

            Australia has diverse playing fields. They are in good quality and they offer enjoyment and positive experiences. In general, Sports Australia provides support to the sports athletes and all participants to ensure that they not only succeed in the competitive landscape but they also achieve equality, quality, and effectiveness (Oliver, 2006). Sports Australia also provides the sports sector with Sporting Schools Program to encourage the schools to promote health and education. Currently, Australia has won many awards for contributing greatly to sport and recreation (Oliver, 2006). Thus, sport in Australia is effective given that all Australians are involved in sports activities. 

Determination of needs

 First, it is important to note that sport in Australia is considered an important factor that Australians cannot do without. Millions of Australians participate in sports events and the activities have contributed to individual and economic benefits. This indicates that more Australians will join the sports events, and the individual as well as the community will benefit from healthy lives and also the economy will enjoy a significant income (May, 2020).  For the sports sector to achieve these goals, there is a need for technology and practices, physical literacy, improved access, and increase participation. In general, the following are the community and organizational needs;

• The community and sports organization need coaching to help the players develop a positive attitude and gain motivation (May, 2020). Coaching will also provide technical, physical, and social skills. Since people of all ages are joining sports activities, coaching will address the need of every player and promote an inclusive community.
• The higher participation or entry-level into the sports sector is an indication that individuals are gaining a higher level of satisfaction. Thus, there is a need for management support to sustain participation and satisfaction, and more importantly maintain the inclusive culture (May, 2020). A research survey reported that parents allow their children to join sports events as sports promote well-being, and increase personal satisfaction. Therefore, the sports sector needs support for sustainability.
• Role models- the sports sector is full of people from diverse backgrounds. Some are experts whereas others are disabled people, women, children, and other individuals who are not physically active compared to high profile athletes (May, 2020). Therefore, role models will play a significant role in shaping behaviors, providing motivation, and increasing participation.
• It is also important to address the socio-economic factors that put barriers to participation. Individual from poor backgrounds, minorities, children, and other factors limit the participation (May, 2020). To support equity and inclusion, the government should address these issues and ensure that all people regardless of age, gender, and other characteristics have equal access.  
• Changing the role of sport; It is important to understand the wants and needs of the community and align them with the community values (May, 2020).

 

 Development proposal

• To meet the above needs, the Australian government should work with the national sporting organizations to come up with a strategic analysis of the growth and sustenance (Australia, 2018)
• The sporting organization should use digital technology to meet the individual needs who are in different geographical areas. Since many people have joined the sports sector, the sporting organization should be digitally ready to share knowledge and interact with potential participants using digital technologies. 
• Training and development- coaches and instructors play a significant role in the sports sector. These people need professional development for them to continue improving the sports sector.
• The Australian government should boost the economy to achieve the goal of sustainability (Australia, 2018). Note that for the sport sector to be internationally competitive and achieve this goal, the government should support in the areas of development and innovation.

 

Conclusion

 Australians have recognized the benefits of sports and they have made sport part of life.   Individuals as well as the community have realized that sports improve mental and physical health, promote social development, and social cohesion. Almost all Australians have embraced the sport. Thus, there is strong participation in the sports sector and this indicates that the sporting organization should identify the needs of the diverse cultures since the future holds greater pressure. The sporting organization should note that there are people who are underrepresented in the sports sector. To allow everyone to enjoy the broader benefits, the organization should collaborate with the government to identify the needs to establish a strategic plan to promote equal access to physical recreation.  

 

 

References

May Christine. (2020). Sport Participation in Australia. https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/knowledge_base/sport_participation/community_participation/sport_participation_in_australia

 

Oliver, P. (2006). What's the score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian

sport. Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney.

 

 

Australia, S. (2018). Sport 2030: Participation, performance, integrity, industry. Australian

Government, Canberra.