Local Policymaking in Sport: Sport Managers’ Perspectives on Work Processes and Impact

Abstract

In this study we sought a better understanding of the development and functioning of local sport policy, from the perspective of local sport managers (LSMs). Local sport budgets in the Netherlands continue to be allocated mainly to sport facilities (85% of sport budgets), despite increasing interest in the instrumental value of sport, particularly to achieve health and welfare objectives. This seems to produce somewhat of a mismatch between wider policy discourse and local sport policy. We studied LSMs' perspectives on recent changes in sport policy, and how these relate to changes in the environment (from a socio-ecological perspective), alongside LSMs' actual practices, policy values and personal beliefs regarding effective sport policy and social impact. For this purpose we conducted nine semi-structured interviews with LSMs from different municipalities in the Netherlands. This was to illuminate 'the walk' in local sport policy, rather than only 'the talk' (i.e., the line set out in policy documents). We conclude that the day-today work of LSMs was indeed influenced by developments in the broader environment (particularly, austerity measures, organizational restructuring and changed national policies and related discourses). However, the focus of LSMs' activities remained on ensuring a good sport facility infrastructure, as a necessary precondition to utilize the instrumental value of sport. The LSMs expressed a belief in the goodness of sport and tried to 'sell' this to other departments. Yet, they exhibited little critical reflection on (preconditions for) effective sport policy and the need for policy monitoring and evaluation.

Sport policy practice and outcome: theoretical and empirical approaches

“…To some extent this contradicts with the policy rhetoric. Similar findings were earlier noted in a study on local sport policy in the Netherlands where policy storylines embrace the entire sporting landscape and focus on the instrumental value of sport, while the actual policy program and activities mainly concentrate on providing facilities and other support to voluntary sport clubs (Hoekman et al, 2019). As such, it was no surprise that in a study on explaining differences in sport participation, municipal sport expenditures were only positive associated with youth sport club participation (Hoekman et al, 2017).…”

“…As such, ensuring access to sport facilities is considered a central element of effective sport participation policy (Nicholson et al, 2011).Government policy to stimulate sport and ensuring access to sport facilities relies on a socio-ecological rationale (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) in which the broader environment influences individual behaviour. The socioecological rationale to understand individual behaviour could also be utilised to understand sport policy-making (Hoekman et al, 2019). Regarding the policy-making process, Bourdieu and Wacquant (1992) identified the field of sport as a configuration of positions comprising agents.…”

Sports Facilities and Local Government Policy: A Case Study in West Java, Indonesia

“…In general, sport is regarded as a policy instrument that is relatively cost-effective because it is built based on voluntary organizations. Changes in sports policy are influenced by changes in financial reality, changing the organizational structure in the city, and national policy changes [6] Although activities sports policies locally remained essentially unchanged despite the development of exogenous reposition sports policy as a social force developing [4,6]. Thus, to provide sports facilities for all people, it is necessary to consider the types of sports activities that have a reasonably strong history and can be used as recreational activities as well as swimming and walking [1].…”

“…The difficulty of allocating a budget for the construction of sports facilities needs to be balanced with other socially oriented policies. Creating sports facilities and infrastructure that are adequate is a reference in sport policy objectives socially-oriented so that the amount of the budget remains in use for a sustainable means [6]. Even the development of sports facilities, which are mainly carried out in China, has other objectives that become strategic references by local governments: (1) improve competitiveness among regions, with continued development and growth and…”

Physical Activity Participation in Rural Areas: A Case Study

“…The promotion of sport participation was also carried out through a climbing activity stimulated with displacement games at a small urban climbing wall that had been installed in the town. Rock climbing/bouldering is an increasingly popular sport among young people and one of the recommended activities for adults in national health promotion programs [47]. Its non-competitive practice helps fight diseases such as obesity, and its moderate or vigorous physical activity allows for the improvement of both the anaerobic and aerobic fitness of the practitioner since the intensity of the exercise is comparable to that recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine to maintain good cardiorespiratory fitness and to increase both muscle strength and flexibility [48,49].…”