Strategies to Overcome the Barriers that Currently Impact the Profile of Track and Field as a Sport in Australia.
The Figueroa’s framework provides the structure of analyzing sports. The structure focusses on the five different levels, with each of the levels showing different issues that provide for the critical analysis of the effects of sport on the decision of an individual to exercise or be active in sporting activities (Kirk, 2005). Each level has an influence on the other level, allowing for deeper comprehension of different sociological issues within sport and provides an explanation as to why some of the existing practices reinforce inequalities and barriers (Kirk, 2005). The possible factors that would decrease the chance of youths succeeding in sport include work commitments, lack of interest from peers, adverse experiences at learning institutions, facilities that are not culturally aligned with the strengths of communities, distance from facilities, high costs of equipment and charged fees, and lack competitions (Georgakis & Russell, 2011).
Despite the fact that, historically, Australia has achieved great success in the sport of track and field, -with many of its stars becoming Australian sporting icons-athletics still, struggles to gain recognition as a high-profile sport within the Australian economy (Georgakis & Russell, 2011). The lack of recognition and the poor status experienced by track and field as a sporting body is attributed to the impact of the media on the status of all sports in modern Australia (Georgakis & Russell, 2011). With an emphasis on the structural level of Figueroa’s framework, below is a discussion of the various strategies recommended to overcome the barriers that currently impact the profile of track and field- such as javelin and marathons- as a sport in Australia.
Positive and Consistent Media Coverage
Sports administrators and players, both, primarily aim at having consistently positive media coverage of their sporting activities. Sport and media are two things that have a powerful influence on the dynamics of a society; intertwined in how they affect the thinking of the people, and also serve to shape the people’s ideas and emotions. Rowe (2004) in his book “Sport, culture and the media: The unruly trinity” highlights that consistent media coverage of sport has an advantage in that it provides a visual profile, increases spectator appeal, attracts lucrative sponsorship opportunities, and creates positive role models for the particular sport. Athletics Australia (2010) point out that the credibility of a sport or an athlete can be affected by the way the media portray the sport or the athlete. The role of the media in the creation of opportunities and access to physical activity is examined comprehensively in the structural level of the Figueroa sociological framework. The media can be viewed as a socializing agent, as it provides a platform for the socialization of people (Athletics Australia, 2010). Positive media coverage to a large extent will prove vital in shaping an individual’s persona -through the attitudes, values, behaviors, and beliefs it displays- the same way parents shape their children, and by so forming a perspective.
However, the media has faced criticism as most if not all media outlets are focused on profit optimization. Thus, when money is the primary objective, the media’s financial interests would then be to broadcast and publicize a physical activity that will have the largest viewer base and draw out the biggest sponsors in the market. The Australian lifestyle would never be wrong then to assume that it is the activities with the most viewer base and the largest sponsors that will be viewed as the most important (Quinn, 2009). An individual would then learn to place meaning on the most commonly viewed activities on television through the socialization process at the interpersonal level, gaining mental acceptance, and claiming that they are of the most cultural significance to the people of Australia. Thus, in this way, the media plays a role in emphasizing on aggressive, rough, masculine activities, and as a result, opportunities for the sports activities with little or no media coverage are outweighed by those that have a high media exposure. Sporting activities that have little to no media exposure will be regarded by an individual as not worthy, culturally insignificant, and would be given less attention (Smith 2013).
Changing the Role of Institutions in Shaping Attitudes Towards Sport
The role of most institutions in shaping the attitudes toward sport and physical activities is examined under the institutional level of Figueroa framework. Schools, churches, sporting clubs, and community groups have a role in shaping positive attitude toward physical activity and sport (Eley, Bush, & Brown, 2014). When one thinks of the early shaping of attitudes toward sport, schools feature prominently. Schools with strong sporting traditions positively reinforce participation in sport. A school’s history, culture, available facilities, equipment, and the expertise of teachers affects the type of games that students are encouraged to play. The institutional level also focuses on the structure of organized sport within a community together with the availability of facilities. Some rules and regulations as determined by standardized governing organizations also have been proved to restrict the access of certain groups and individuals to physical activities (Athletics Australia 2010).
Some of the questions asked at this level include the availability of adequate sporting venues within a community and whether they cater for a variety of sports; whether there are coaching clinics; and the influence of physical education classes on sporting activities in schools (Headon, 2005). Additionally, it is crucial to note the impact of rules and regulations of sporting activities on people’s decision to participate. Moreover, the effect of religious organization in creating sporting opportunities remains a crucial factor. Some religious beliefs may bar athletes from participating in sporting activities on days of religious significance.
Some of the possible solutions to these questions include designing new outfits and modest clothing that appreciate diversity in religious beliefs. For instance, ‘burkinis’ can easily be used as swimming costumes, allowing Muslim sportswomen not to feel disadvantages. Ignorance of cultural sports can be overcome by increasing school and community opportunities that promote the different sports- such as through open days (Smith 2013).
Stewart (2005) in his book “Australian Sport – Better by Design? The Evolution of Australian Sport Policy” indicate that the family status can have an adverse effect on an individual’s decision to take part in sporting activities- including track and field events. Family circumstances (such as family size, income, or the cost of living), insufficient funds to cater for affiliation fees, and purchase equipment can also significantly affect an athlete. However, these factors can be overcome if sporting organization bodies reduced the fees as most athletes decide to choose another sporting activity that meets their financial status or donation of equipment by clubs. Nevertheless, some people may not experience financial challenges, and thus may opt to access more competitions, purchase better equipment, and hire private coaches (Headon, 2005).
Changing the View of Parents at the Interpersonal Level
Using the Figueroa framework, one can investigate the relationships that influence an individual’s decision to have a lifelong association with the sport. Amezdroz et al. (2010) note that indirect or directly, most of us are influenced by the people around us, such as peers, parents, siblings, coaches, teachers, and sporting role models. Parents are the real models and not the sporting stars. Children should not have talented sporting stars placed on pedestals for them to emulate. At an early level, the family serves as the most significant factor that influences the attitude of an individual toward the sport. In a single study, the research indicated that one child out of three stated their parents to be their role models, influencing their choices on sporting activities (Amezdroz, et al., 2010). Parents valuing sports will influence the participation of their children in sports (R.I.C. Publications, 2008).
Changing our Cultural Views at the Cultural Level
Common cultural views affecting sports includes beliefs, values, and attitudes that are a product of factors such as ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and a social groups’ history; all of which shape the equity of access to sport (Eley, Bush, & Brown, 2014). An example is the consideration of the cultural attitudes toward femininity, masculinity, and sport. Traditionally, the Australian people have viewed sport as a male domain, with women having no interest in sport or being just mere supporters (Nauright & Parrish, 2012). A clear line has been drawn to differentiate sports appropriate for the men and sports appropriate for the women. With time, these cultural barriers are slowly being phased out, and women are now gaining greater access to opportunities in sport. The history and culture of a society can also affect the sporting culture in different other ways (Stewart, 2005). For example, sports that are regularly played and/or watched in Western Australia may be different from the sports in other areas, not only in Australia, but also other parts of the world.
Conclusion
In essence, for years Australians become proud when the country is identified as a sporting nation. The country has a long history of sport, with its people showing so much enthusiasm that it has become a characteristic of Australians. Dominant sports such as rugby have linked the country to its international success, which has also caused an increase in funding and consequent increase in business opportunities in the country. Despite the gains made in understanding multiculturalism and tolerance, stereotypical views on certain sports have helped the marginalization of some sports because of the cultural views. Change can only occur if it starts at the cultural level and transcends to the family and national level. There is a need to place more emphasis on provision of better grounds to help facilitate the sporting field in Australia through proper funding and motivational of employees through policy changes.
References
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Smith, H. (2013). Australia’s Melbourne, Victoria & Tasmania. Edicon, NJ: Hunter Publishing, Inc.
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