What can a Study of Sociology bring to the Understanding of Sport

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What can a Study of Sociology bring to the
Understanding of Sport ?

• Laura Hoyle , Mayrilian Cruz Blanco
  FIFA MASTER
  
• David Turner-Kerr, Tiziano Gaier
  October 2004

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Scope

• Is there evidence of sociological theories within
  Sport ?
  
• How can the study of sociology of Sport help the
  decision making process within Sport ?
  
• How can the study of Sport help the understanding
  of social issues/behaviour ?
  

3
Agenda

• Introduction
• Agenda David Turner-Kerr
• Definitions David Turner-Kerr

• Case Studies
• Football in Italy Tiziano Gaier
• Volleyball in Cuba Mayi Cruz Blanco
• Golf in England Laura Hoyle

• Conclusion David Turner-Kerr

• Q A session All

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Definitions

• 2 major theories
• Functionalist model
• Conflict model

• Social Class
• The relatively permanent homogenous strata in a
  society that tend to differ in status,
  occupation, education, possessions and values

• Gender
• Identifies the relations between women and men.
  Gender relations vary from place to place and
  over time they often change in relation to
  altering circumstances

• Ethnicity
• An ethnic quality or affiliation resulting from
  racial or cultural ties. It has a strong
  influence on community status relations
  

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FOOTBALL IN ITALY
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Football in Italy Class

• Popular in the working class predominantly
• Easy access to football pitches and equipment
• Sport perceived as opportunity for the future
• Difference in Italian football between players
  and Teams
  
• Free initiatives for children to discover talent

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Football in Italy Gender

• Very  macho  country, where women are
  housewives
  
• Culture for men to go to the Sunday match as
  social activity
  
• Violence at the stadium, not a  family event 
• Sport TV programs are  decorated  by scantily
  clad women
  
• Football is played predominantly by men
• Womens football is not professional yet

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Football in Italy Race

• Country is very racist
• Important differences between cities and regions
  (e.g. Lazio)
  
• Interest in players from new countries
• No non-white people in national team (1
  exception)
  
• Teams built up per countries/races ? clubs
  created by immigrants for themselves

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Volleyball in Cuba
SPORT IS A RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE
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Volleyball in Cuba Class

• The Upper Class practised sport as if it belonged
  only to them before 1959 so volleyball became
  popular in the 20th century
  
• Nowadays Volleyball is practised by a large part
  of Cuban Society and is supported by popular
  bases and the only class in Cuba The Working
  Class

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Volleyball in Cuba Gender

• One of the most popular sports for both genders
• First level sport in Cuba
• Priority for male female participation,
  starting at the age of 9 and 11 respectively in
  every Cuban school.
  
• 5070 girls (30 X 169 local municipalities) start
  to practice volleyball each year.
  
• 0, 09 of the 100 of women in Cuba
  (5500000)
  
• Cuban women's Volleyball team one of the best
  records in history of Volleyball
  
• Spectacular Tanned Women example of female
  development
  
• Gender equality manifested through success of
  Cuban Volleyball School of Thought

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Volleyball in Cuba Race

• Cuban population is about 11 million
• The origin is 60 Spanish descent, 22 mulatto,
  11 African descent and 1 Chinese
  
• So the Cuban people are a big mix of races and
  cultures, in Volleyball as in all sport in Cuba,
  racial discrimination does not exist
  
• Around 90 of Cuban volleyball stars are black
• All Cubans can practice Volleyball on any of the
  courts available in the country

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Golf in England
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Golf in England Class

• Middle ages - Scottish folk game for everyone
• 19th Century/20th Century site for public
  expression of the new middle-class suburban
  culture
  
• Many features of the game today affirm its
  middle-class nature
  
• e.g. affordability of equipment, membership,
  fashion to be followed (Pringle/Burberry),
  leisure time needed to play, not on National
  Curriculum.
• Socially exclusive clubs have distanced golf from
  the masses e.g. Wentworth
  
• Business on the golf course
• Moves to becoming the peoples game

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Golf in England Gender

• Sex discrimination rife
• Women as second-class citizens
• Many English clubs today still ban women
• e.g. Royal St Georges Club
• Ladies Golf Union founded in 1893 (Royal
  Ancient Golf Club still remains ALL male)
  
• Females competing in mens tours commercial
  motivation?
  
• Draft Bill to outlaw sexual discrimination in
  private clubs with over 25 members

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Golf in England Race

• Racism and snobbery within golf and golf clubs
  are still rife
  
• Exclusions of Jews

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What can a study of sociology bring to the
understanding of Sport ?

• Cuba good example of functionalist theory
• socialism as a driver

• Italy / UK many examples of conflict theory
• capitalism system as a driver

• Reasons why study of sociology help understanding
  of sport
  
• Raise participation
• Develop commercial aspects
• Develop sport in general

• Study of sociology helps understanding of Sport
  and vice versa
  
• Sport is a way to educate
• Sport shows social and cultural heritage and
  knowledge of countries

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Thank you for your attention

• Laura Hoyle , Mayrilian Cruz Blanco
  FIFA MASTER
  
• David Turner-Kerr, Tiziano Gaier
  October 2004

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Questions Answerssession

• Laura Hoyle , Mayrilian Cruz Blanco
  FIFA MASTER
  
• David Turner-Kerr, Tiziano Gaier
  October 2004