This collection of essays is the result of the debate and discussion at the European Sport Develo... more This collection of essays is the result of the debate and discussion at the European Sport Development Network’s (ESDN) annual conference in 2014. ESDN’s vision is to help create an environment where sports policies, programmes and practices are positively influenced by innovative, research-informed insight and collaborations between academics and practitioners. The chapters in this book closely reflect the remit and purpose of the ESDN in that they come from a variety of academics and sport practitioners. Under a broad theme of ‘Opportunity through sport’, the chapters reflect the nature and breadth of outcomes which are possible through active participation in sport.
The contributions to this book touch upon many of these issues. They are all written from the perspective of either academic researchers or applied practitioners working in sport development in line with the aims of ESDN of providing a common forum to bring together research and practice. Four chapters are written from the applied practitioner perspective, five chapters emerge from academic research and one chapter is a hybrid of PhD research located within a county sports partnership. These contributions will be useful for scholars, students and practitioners alike.
Abstract The summer of 2017 heralded an interesting layering of English elite women’s sports even... more Abstract The summer of 2017 heralded an interesting layering of English elite women’s sports events as major competitions were held in cricket, football, rugby and hockey. Uniquely this was the first occasion when these competitions were held during the same summer period and England was the only team to participate in all four events. This presents an opportunity to examine British print media coverage of elite English women, across a range of sports tournaments during a confined season. A qualitative analysis of British print media was undertaken for each of the four tournaments. Eighty nine articles from four national newspapers were analysed and results demonstrate emergent themes of International success, Performance and Role Models. These themes are discussed in the context of an accumulation of successful coverage, third wave feminism and the framing of the achievements resulted in the portrayal of the sports women as authentic athletes.
Abstract In 2004, the four UK Sports Councils introduced the Equality Standard for Sport. The pur... more Abstract In 2004, the four UK Sports Councils introduced the Equality Standard for Sport. The purpose of The Standard was an approach of policy development through consultation and partnership with National Governing Bodies and built on the lessons learnt through the Racial Equality Standard for Sport (2000). Furthermore, The Standard aimed to recognize the multiple nature of inequality, beyond racial grounds and embrace a wider set of protected characteristics. Whilst this widening scope to The Standard is a positive move, its methodology and focus is still largely founded on an outcome based approach grounded in an audit culture. Previous research on The Standard was critical of this over reliance on the formalized audit approach, its failure to encourage organizations to be reflective on their history and culture and to promote organizational involvement in creating equality policies. This paper provides a comparative analysis to the previous review of The Standard and aims to examine what difference it is making in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion within sports organizations. Results indicate that there is proactive work carried out by sports organizations to widen the appeal of their sports with previously underrepresented groups but it is not clear how much of this work is from a direct result of The Standard. Furthermore, although many organizations had an aspiration to achieve Intermediate Level, very few have progressed beyond the Preliminary Level.
Using Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci &a... more Using Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985) as an overarching theoretical framework, the main purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between women’s motives to exercise and their reported exercise behavior. Three hundred and thirty women (Age range = 20-61+) took part in the study. Participants were categorized into a ‘’no-exercise’ group, a ‘some exercise’ group (less than 2.5 hours of exercise per week) or a ‘recommended amount of exercise’ group (minimum 2.5 hours of exercise per week). Controlling for the influence of age, MANCOVA analyses showed that the exercise groups differed significantly on most self-determined and controlling exercise motives. The results partly support propositions of SDT, and suggest that women may internalize, exercise behavior as they become more physically active, however controlling motives are still pertinent. Exercise leaders and promotion specialists should look into ways of facilitating the internalization process in female exercise participants.
The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy cost-effective s... more The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy cost-effective solutions to heavy marking workloads. This case study explores the implementation of CAA into a limited number (n=2) of level 1 modules. The aim was to explore students’ responses and lecturers’ perceptions of CAA. Students who had experienced the new assessment regime completed an evaluation questionnaire (n=68), and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teaching staff (n=4) of the modules. Results indicate that students did not perceive CAA negatively within the assessment regime and staff clearly identified that this form of assessment had certain time saving benefits.
ABSTRACT The paper examines the documentary style film Through the Fire which traces the fortunes... more ABSTRACT The paper examines the documentary style film Through the Fire which traces the fortunes of high school basketball player Sebastian Telfair. It is posited that the principles of Fordism best explain the underlying narratives outlined in the film in which the sporting youth of Coney Island are located within a culture akin to a basketball production line process. Four key themes are used to explain these narratives, namely ‘Chasing the Dream’, ‘Staying Focused’, ‘Managing the Brand’ and ‘The End of the Line, and Start of the Next’.
Increasing attention has been paid to the idea that exercise can become a compulsive behaviour, w... more Increasing attention has been paid to the idea that exercise can become a compulsive behaviour, with some suggesting that sport and exercise can become addictive to those who use it to improve self-esteem. The current study collected data from three British universities on three occasions. Quantitative analysis revealed a relationship between exercise dependence and self-esteem, although the nature of this
This study collected in-depth interview data from 10 participants who were immersed in a gym-base... more This study collected in-depth interview data from 10 participants who were immersed in a gym-based environment in the UK, in order to consider the possibility of a relationship between exercise dependence (ED) and identity reinforcement. The process of identity formation within this environment was consistent with that outlined by Weiss, (Weiss, ‘Identity Reinforcement in Sport: Revisiting the Symbolic Interactionist Legacy’.)
This article aims to analyse and reflect upon the support offered to advanced GNVQ students in bu... more This article aims to analyse and reflect upon the support offered to advanced GNVQ students in business, and leisure and tourism by college staff across seven further education colleges in the West Midlands conurbation. Specifically, the work offers a focus on elements of college support pertinent to the possible transition of these groups of students to undergraduate study in higher
The Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism, 2008
The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy costeffective so... more The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy costeffective solutions to heavy marking workloads. This case study explores the implementation of CAA into a limited number (n=2) of level 1 modules. The aim was to explore students' responses and lecturers' perceptions of CAA. Students who had experienced the new assessment regime completed an evaluation questionnaire (n=68), and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teaching staff (n=4) of the modules. Results indicate that students did not perceive CAA negatively within the assessment regime and staff clearly identified that this form of assessment had certain time saving benefits.
This collection of essays is the result of the debate and discussion at the European Sport Develo... more This collection of essays is the result of the debate and discussion at the European Sport Development Network’s (ESDN) annual conference in 2014. ESDN’s vision is to help create an environment where sports policies, programmes and practices are positively influenced by innovative, research-informed insight and collaborations between academics and practitioners. The chapters in this book closely reflect the remit and purpose of the ESDN in that they come from a variety of academics and sport practitioners. Under a broad theme of ‘Opportunity through sport’, the chapters reflect the nature and breadth of outcomes which are possible through active participation in sport.
The contributions to this book touch upon many of these issues. They are all written from the perspective of either academic researchers or applied practitioners working in sport development in line with the aims of ESDN of providing a common forum to bring together research and practice. Four chapters are written from the applied practitioner perspective, five chapters emerge from academic research and one chapter is a hybrid of PhD research located within a county sports partnership. These contributions will be useful for scholars, students and practitioners alike.
Abstract The summer of 2017 heralded an interesting layering of English elite women’s sports even... more Abstract The summer of 2017 heralded an interesting layering of English elite women’s sports events as major competitions were held in cricket, football, rugby and hockey. Uniquely this was the first occasion when these competitions were held during the same summer period and England was the only team to participate in all four events. This presents an opportunity to examine British print media coverage of elite English women, across a range of sports tournaments during a confined season. A qualitative analysis of British print media was undertaken for each of the four tournaments. Eighty nine articles from four national newspapers were analysed and results demonstrate emergent themes of International success, Performance and Role Models. These themes are discussed in the context of an accumulation of successful coverage, third wave feminism and the framing of the achievements resulted in the portrayal of the sports women as authentic athletes.
Abstract In 2004, the four UK Sports Councils introduced the Equality Standard for Sport. The pur... more Abstract In 2004, the four UK Sports Councils introduced the Equality Standard for Sport. The purpose of The Standard was an approach of policy development through consultation and partnership with National Governing Bodies and built on the lessons learnt through the Racial Equality Standard for Sport (2000). Furthermore, The Standard aimed to recognize the multiple nature of inequality, beyond racial grounds and embrace a wider set of protected characteristics. Whilst this widening scope to The Standard is a positive move, its methodology and focus is still largely founded on an outcome based approach grounded in an audit culture. Previous research on The Standard was critical of this over reliance on the formalized audit approach, its failure to encourage organizations to be reflective on their history and culture and to promote organizational involvement in creating equality policies. This paper provides a comparative analysis to the previous review of The Standard and aims to examine what difference it is making in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion within sports organizations. Results indicate that there is proactive work carried out by sports organizations to widen the appeal of their sports with previously underrepresented groups but it is not clear how much of this work is from a direct result of The Standard. Furthermore, although many organizations had an aspiration to achieve Intermediate Level, very few have progressed beyond the Preliminary Level.
Using Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci &a... more Using Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985) as an overarching theoretical framework, the main purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between women’s motives to exercise and their reported exercise behavior. Three hundred and thirty women (Age range = 20-61+) took part in the study. Participants were categorized into a ‘’no-exercise’ group, a ‘some exercise’ group (less than 2.5 hours of exercise per week) or a ‘recommended amount of exercise’ group (minimum 2.5 hours of exercise per week). Controlling for the influence of age, MANCOVA analyses showed that the exercise groups differed significantly on most self-determined and controlling exercise motives. The results partly support propositions of SDT, and suggest that women may internalize, exercise behavior as they become more physically active, however controlling motives are still pertinent. Exercise leaders and promotion specialists should look into ways of facilitating the internalization process in female exercise participants.
The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy cost-effective s... more The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy cost-effective solutions to heavy marking workloads. This case study explores the implementation of CAA into a limited number (n=2) of level 1 modules. The aim was to explore students’ responses and lecturers’ perceptions of CAA. Students who had experienced the new assessment regime completed an evaluation questionnaire (n=68), and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teaching staff (n=4) of the modules. Results indicate that students did not perceive CAA negatively within the assessment regime and staff clearly identified that this form of assessment had certain time saving benefits.
ABSTRACT The paper examines the documentary style film Through the Fire which traces the fortunes... more ABSTRACT The paper examines the documentary style film Through the Fire which traces the fortunes of high school basketball player Sebastian Telfair. It is posited that the principles of Fordism best explain the underlying narratives outlined in the film in which the sporting youth of Coney Island are located within a culture akin to a basketball production line process. Four key themes are used to explain these narratives, namely ‘Chasing the Dream’, ‘Staying Focused’, ‘Managing the Brand’ and ‘The End of the Line, and Start of the Next’.
Increasing attention has been paid to the idea that exercise can become a compulsive behaviour, w... more Increasing attention has been paid to the idea that exercise can become a compulsive behaviour, with some suggesting that sport and exercise can become addictive to those who use it to improve self-esteem. The current study collected data from three British universities on three occasions. Quantitative analysis revealed a relationship between exercise dependence and self-esteem, although the nature of this
This study collected in-depth interview data from 10 participants who were immersed in a gym-base... more This study collected in-depth interview data from 10 participants who were immersed in a gym-based environment in the UK, in order to consider the possibility of a relationship between exercise dependence (ED) and identity reinforcement. The process of identity formation within this environment was consistent with that outlined by Weiss, (Weiss, ‘Identity Reinforcement in Sport: Revisiting the Symbolic Interactionist Legacy’.)
This article aims to analyse and reflect upon the support offered to advanced GNVQ students in bu... more This article aims to analyse and reflect upon the support offered to advanced GNVQ students in business, and leisure and tourism by college staff across seven further education colleges in the West Midlands conurbation. Specifically, the work offers a focus on elements of college support pertinent to the possible transition of these groups of students to undergraduate study in higher
The Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism, 2008
The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy costeffective so... more The use of computer-aided assessment (CAA) can provide lecturing staff with easy costeffective solutions to heavy marking workloads. This case study explores the implementation of CAA into a limited number (n=2) of level 1 modules. The aim was to explore students' responses and lecturers' perceptions of CAA. Students who had experienced the new assessment regime completed an evaluation questionnaire (n=68), and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the teaching staff (n=4) of the modules. Results indicate that students did not perceive CAA negatively within the assessment regime and staff clearly identified that this form of assessment had certain time saving benefits.
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Books by Kay Biscomb
The contributions to this book touch upon many of these issues. They are all written from the perspective of either academic researchers or applied practitioners working in sport development in line with the aims of ESDN of providing a common forum to bring together research and practice. Four chapters are written from the applied practitioner perspective, five chapters emerge from academic research and one chapter is a hybrid of PhD research located within a county sports partnership. These contributions will be useful for scholars, students and practitioners alike.
Papers by Kay Biscomb
The contributions to this book touch upon many of these issues. They are all written from the perspective of either academic researchers or applied practitioners working in sport development in line with the aims of ESDN of providing a common forum to bring together research and practice. Four chapters are written from the applied practitioner perspective, five chapters emerge from academic research and one chapter is a hybrid of PhD research located within a county sports partnership. These contributions will be useful for scholars, students and practitioners alike.