|
Sport, Localism and Social Capital in Rural Western Australia |
|
Whilst there has been some research conducted on the role of sport in
Australian rural communities, to date there has been little detailed
discussion by social scientists and geographers on the association
between sport and social capital. This paper identifies elements of
social capital, at a community and regional social scale, which have
been expressed through the activities and adaptive strategies of
twenty-five sporting clubs from the wheatbelt region of Western
Australia. Most of the adaptive strategies are a direct result of the
clubs being exposed to the processes of rural restructuring and include
amalgamation and the spatial reorganisation of sporting competition
locations. The importance of localism in rural communities is also
examined through the issues of trust and distrust within a regional
hierarchy context. The paper illustrates how sport is not only an
important part of rural life but also an activity which plays an
integral role in the formation of bonding and bridging social capital.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Rural restructuring and the changing geography of competitive sport |
The geography of sport has received relatively liule auention from those interested in processes of rural social and economic change. This is despite the important role that sport plays in the structure of rural communities and regions. In addition to the obvious health benefits associated with physical activity, sport contributes to community identity and provides opportunities for social interaction. There is, however, considerable evidence to suggest that processes of restructuring are having direct impacts on sport in rural areas. Drawing on a case study from rural western Australia, this paper argues that
economic adjustment in the farming and business sectors, service withdrawal, and population decline are just some of the changes undermining the viability of sporting clubs in rural areas. W, suggest that while sporting clubs have tended to be resilient in the face of restructuring, it is also clear that one of the outcomes is a changing geography of Sport in declining rural areas"
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
The glue that holds the community together? Sport and sustainability in rural Australia |
|
Drawing on the author's research in northwest Victoria, Australia, this essay examines the forms of capital that are created in and through rural sport as well as the processes of social inclusion and exclusion that structure access to social networks and to the resources these networks contain. In the face of economic and social changes that affect the region, rural sport participants view local sport clubs as vital community hubs fostering social cohesion, local and regional identities and a shared focus and outlet. Sporting competitions in northwest Victoria also contribute to cultural and economic capital for some participants, and to relatively limited stocks of linking social capital. While the creation and transference of these capitals are to a large degree regulated by wider social divisions, structural changes in the area present increased opportunities for other people, including young women, to take on leadership roles and to develop new skills and knowledge through sport participation.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Geographical influences upon physical activity participation: Evidence of a 'coastal effect' |
|
A study sought to examine the association between geographical proximity to the coast and physical activity participation levels. Using stratified random sampling, a telephone survey was carried out in 1994 with 1,000 adults in each of the 16 health service regions in New South Wales. Physical activity levels were measured through self-report of the frequency and duration of walking, moderate and vigorous activities in the 2 weeks preceding the survey. Logistic regression modeling was carried out to examine the association between physical activity and "coastal" location of residence, adjusting for age, sex, employment status, education level and country of birth. After adjusting for other demographic factors, respondents who lived in a coastal postcode were 23% less likely to be classified as sedentary, 27% more likely to report levels of activity considered adequate for health, and 38% more likely to report high levels of physical activity than those who lived inland.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Children's physical activity, health and physical education in ... |
|
...isolated rural Australia: Parents' views, concerns, and sacrifices.
This paper describes the views of parent educators of their children's levels and types of physical activity. The study was conducted at two mini-schools in western Queensland. These are occassions where children undertake formal education through various Schools of Distance Education. They come together for a week of educational activity. Parents (mostly mothers) were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. The interview data were analysed for domonant themes using a constat comparison method. The emerging themes related to nutrition and physical activity. Within the physical activity theme, notions of the great outdoors, work and organised sports skill development also emerged.
BSC
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
| Results 1 - 9 of 15 |
