Papers by Chris Mackintosh
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 19406940 2014 925955, Jul 22, 2014
Leisure Studies, 2015
ABSTRACT This study was undertaken with five families before, during and after the London 2012 Ol... more ABSTRACT This study was undertaken with five families before, during and after the London 2012 Olympics to examine and explore everyday reactions to the Games on families in the East Midlands region of England. The aim of the research was to build localised accounts of the multiple interpretations, potential impacts and reactions to the Olympics in everyday family household settings. The views, perceptions and interpretations of the Games were gathered through qualitative research methods, using video diaries and, pre- and post-event, group interviews. Findings from the study illustrated diverse reactions to the legacy messages, resistance to policy interpretations surrounding this mega event and a strong sense of regional and financial exclusion from the event. Lessons can be learnt for both policy-makers and event managers in the design of future events that encompass the localised perspectives of those communities and individuals who consume the event beyond direct physical participation. In particular, themes from the data included the importance of regional community involvement of national showcase events, limitations of existing media and web-based information sources, and the everyday resistance to policy messages assumed as taken for granted. It is also hoped that the study will provide lessons for the Rio 2016 Olympics from a local delivery perspective.
International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 2011
The management, use and reliance upon multi-agency partnerships in the field of public sector spo... more The management, use and reliance upon multi-agency partnerships in the field of public sector sports development became increasingly important following the election of the 'New' Labour government in 1997. In this study one example of a multi-agency partnership -County Sports Partnership (CSP)will be examined through a case study analysis of four CSPs in the East Midlands region of England. A review of the theoretical and conceptual literature around partnership working will inform an appraisal of the impact of CSP arrangements in this region. The theoretical framework of partnership dynamics is utilized to explore the reality of partnership working in sports development in conjunction with the findings of four in-depth interviews that were conducted with Chief Executive Officers and senior managers in each of the CSP regions. In particular, consideration will be given to the potential implications and issues of 'working in partnership' for public sector sports development officers and managers who negotiate the complex and challenging policy environment surrounding multi-agency working in sport. The key findings of the research include the extent to which there appears to be a misunderstanding of the CSP role amongst some CSP partner agencies; the fragility of partnership working; the importance of relationship management; and the complex shifting politics of sports development policy.
International Journal of Public Sector Management, 2014
Critical Perspectives on International Public Sector Management, 2014
Sport, Education and Society, 2014
ABSTRACT The dynamics and culture of families are central to individual and community sport and p... more ABSTRACT The dynamics and culture of families are central to individual and community sport and physical activity participation. This research project examined the lived experiences and day-to-day realities of the London 2012 Olympics from the perspectives of five families in the East Midlands region of England. The aims of the project were to assess the influence the Games had on shaping family sports participation, influencing social and health relationships within the families through sports and reactions to the 2012 Olympics. The study was conducted through the generation of rich qualitative data from pre- and post-Games interviews as well as production of video diary data by the families and young people themselves to gather micro-level information on the realities of ‘legacy’ for families. Findings from this research project illustrate that prior parental socialisation into sport shaped current attitudes to legacy and children and mothers and fathers had mixed reactions to the actual presence of legacy. There are also clear sports development challenges around accessibility, cost, project design, the non-family-friendly nature of some schemes present during the potential consumption of legacy that have consequences for future research in this embryonic area. Implications from the study include the need to locate the family as a more central concern for policy makers in sports development practice. The study has questioned the assumed virtuous legacy of the London 2012 Games from the perspective of families on a day-to-day micro-level. Instead, a far more complex and diverse picture from the perspective of the family has been presented that requires further critical research on this little explored topic of policy and practice in sports development.
Managing Leisure, 2013
ABSTRACT This article examines the findings from an evaluation of the English Table Tennis Associ... more ABSTRACT This article examines the findings from an evaluation of the English Table Tennis Association outdoor table tennis pilot initiative in London. Ethnographic participant observation fieldwork was conducted, alongside semi-structured interviews with project and local partner staff to explore the impact and effectiveness of the scheme. The project aspiration was to develop a new entry route into the sport of table tennis, using an innovative new format of the game in park facilities. The project challenged established principles of sports development to encourage self-organised participation, raise the profile of the sport and attract new participants to this form of physical activity in a park setting. Results from the pilot programme evaluation illustrated that participants had engaged in multiple forms of self-organised play, usage of the tables were high and that there were minimal barriers to participation. Future challenges include how to link this initiative with wider national governing body sports development plans, harnessing the profile raising potential of the scheme and the development of opportunities and participants that were created through the scheme.
International Journal of Public Sector Management, 2014
ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The purpose of this paper is to establish the impact and effectiveness of the ... more ABSTRACT Purpose ‐ The purpose of this paper is to establish the impact and effectiveness of the national PING! project implemented by a national governing body of sport (NGB) and key public sector partners in England. It establishes lessons learnt and areas to improve future programme development in this area of public sports management. In addition it is also evidencing a new approach to engaging with physical activity and sports development in local communities. Design/methodology/approach ‐ The research study is based on a user survey with 375 respondents and two qualitative ethnographic case studies in two of the eight cities that were involved in the programme. These case studies encompassed 30 individual or group interviews, informal observations and site visits across the two cities. Findings ‐ The research project has identified some of the key factors that lie behind the positive outcomes of the scheme, including a strong sense of participant community, diverse participant profiles, a hidden workplace impact and building an entry point for non-engaged sports participants to sport and physical activity. In addition, lessons have been learnt in terms of future programme management, design and development in this field of informal and recreational sports project. These include strengthening opportunities for sustainable continued participation, sharing information with other NGBs that are beginning to work in this style of delivery and building alternative pathways to the traditional club as an outlet' for novice participants. Research limitations/implications ‐ The study is based in England and is limited to a one year research project. The qualitative case studies were also only conducted in two of the main partner cities. Originality/value ‐ Very few empirical studies have examined this growing trend towards informal table tennis programmes and facilities. Likewise the paper also offers a novel evaluation approach for NGBs to gain richer more insightful depth of research lessons. It is also part of the growing literature that is questioning the foundations of "traditional sports development" practice and its associated sphere of public sector activity.
Education 3-13, 2012
ABSTRACT This research examines the perceptions of education practitioners to the proposed change... more ABSTRACT This research examines the perceptions of education practitioners to the proposed changes to the school sport partnership (SSP) programme in England and in particular its implications for primary school physical education. It aims to explore insights into the dismantling of this partnership programme. The SSP system developed club links, increased community involvement in primary and secondary schools and arguably improved standards in physical education (PE) between 2003 and 2010. This research is based upon a survey undertaken with 70 schools in the East Midlands region of England following the announcement of the removal of SSP programme. Quantitative survey data were analysed using SPSS 17 and qualitative data were coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings highlighted include reduced specialist support for primary PE teaching, loss of collaborative primary PE curricular and extra-curricular club developments. There are significant implications for the quality of primary PE and physical activity opportunities made available for young people.
Education 3-13, 2014
ABSTRACT International interest in developing mass sports participation through systems of school... more ABSTRACT International interest in developing mass sports participation through systems of school and community sports development has become a growing field of public leisure policy interest. This research paper considers the policy change from School Sport Partnerships to the new 2012 School Games model of networked partnerships to establish characteristics of the changes in governance modes and implications from practice in England. The research project is based on a regional case study drawing upon in-depth, face-to-face interviews with key public policy stakeholders to inform an analysis of change. Initial findings indicate that the emergent networks are characterised by more networked-based mode of governance than previous hierarchical models present under UK New Labour. The study also shows the fragility of a reliance on partnership structures and the potential implications for incongruence in delivering policy outcomes and improving access to physical activity and school sport opportunities.
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Papers by Chris Mackintosh