Interpreting university sport policy in England: seeking a purpose in turbulent times?

Abstract

Given the fundamental change in political landscape of current higher education in England, it is timely to (re)consider the purpose of university sport and its fit with national sports policy. This research investigates the purpose of university sport; how university sport fits with national sport strategies, if at all; and whether universities and sport policy are capitalising on Higher Education (HE) sport. An interpretivistic public policy analysis was carried out using eight semi-structured interviews with senior leaders of sport within universities in one region of the north of England. In addition, documentary analysis was examined. Outcomes illustrate the changed landscape for university sport in England with the key purpose of sport focusing on wider student experience; to engage students in sport and contribute to enhancing student recruitment, retention, satisfaction, mental health and graduate employability. However, there were mixed views as to whether senior university leaders were fully aware of the extent of the role of sport. Strategic drivers were more internal than external although universities recognised the value of working in a symbiotic relationship with internal and external stakeholders. Recommendations are offered for university leaders and sport policy makers on how to better capitalise on sport in England and beyond.

Physical Activity, Mental and Personal Well-Being, Social Isolation, and Perceptions of Academic Attainment and Employability in University Students: The Scottish and British Active Students Surveys

“…The potential positive impact of PA levels upon perceived attainment may, in turn, result in improved graduate employment and longer-term employability. 21 Indeed, the present study found that the students who were more active were 27% more likely to report higher confidence that they would be employed upon graduation. Furthermore, across a range of employability skills, the students who were more active perceived themselves to be 12% to 58% better.…”

“…For example, those who were members of a sports club were 53% more likely to rate themselves higher for teamwork. As mentioned, though data are sparse regarding the relationship between sport and attainment or employability, there is some evidence that sport may positively impact graduate employability, 21 and this would tend to support that perspective.…”

“…20 This, in turn, may result in improved graduate employment and longer term employability. 21,22 Though there is less data on this relationship specifically in young adults attending university with respect to PA generally, what is available argues that sport positively impacts graduate employability. 23 It is clear that the collective benefits of engagement in PA, particularly in young adults, have the potential to positively impact an individual's physical and mental well-being.…”

How individual experiential backgrounds are related to the development of employability among university students

“…In addition, Brunton (2017) found that only one out of the eight examined universities integrated sport into their university strategy with the explicit intention to achieve positive effects beyond physical fitness. They advocate for more research into the outcomes of sports on other parameters such as recruitment, retention, graduate employability, mental health, and student satisfaction.…”

Key influences on university students’ physical activity: a systematic review using the Theoretical Domains Framework and the COM-B model of human behaviour

“…Despite the potential for PA to be used as a vehicle for supporting these strategic goals there is an absence of data on the extent to which this is occurring in the university sector. The limited evidence in this area suggests that some universities have made efforts to support students' mental health by referring students who access on-campus counselling services to PA programs [90]. However, the uptake and efficacy of such initiatives is rarely assessed, and even less is known about whether PA is being used to support other strategic goals, such as academic success.…”