Sport Development: Need for a Physical Education, Exercise, and Sport Social Body - Term Paper Example

Introduction Sport has been practiced ever since the existence of man on earth, more so, as a leisure activity and sometimes competitively with the intention of making specific gains. Sporting activities are known to be governed by specific sets of customs or rules and often involve application of physical capabilities of competitors. Sport can also take other forms which do not require physical capabilities such as seen in card games, motor sport, and board games where equipment factors or mental acuity are of prime value to winning a game. More generally, sport can be taken to be an organized, skilful, and competitive physical activity that demands fair play and commitment on the part of players. Need for a Physical Education, Exercise, and Sport (SEPE) Social Body Sport, exercise and physical education notably have a definite point of convergence which must not be ignored for the continued growth of the three distinct activities. The need for establishment, across the world, of a system that accurately integrates sports, exercise and physical education is currently an urgent need. The implementation of policies that promote the development of social networks aligned to the three activities is more than a necessity in the United Kingdom (McDonald 2005). In view of the current state of affairs, Lawson argues most world systems are not directed toward a new type of Exercise, Sport, and Physical Education (SEPE) social work. An analysis of this statement awakens the considerate person to the fact serious doubts and important questions remain unanswered as to whether SEPE programs, practices, and professionals, are worthwhile investments for governments (Lawson 2005). Critical approaches for SEPE professionals SEPE professionals should contribute in the formulation and evaluation of government policies concerning sporting, physical education and exercises. A variety of subjects will be analysed in the following section concerning what ought to be done to make investment in SEPE worthwhile for government. Management Development Management development can be taken to mean the process through which managers acquire and improve their competencies both for personal benefit and benefit of their employers. It has been proven over time that effective management is one of the major determinants of the organisation's success. When managers learn vital skills through exposition while doing their jobs in an informal setting and the process is formalised, then it is in no doubt management development. Management development among other things includes undertaking various formal courses which include technical aspects as well as management skills, work-based informal training and a wide range of educational courses (Girginov, 2008). According to some authors, development management is viewed in the context of deliberate actions to make progress in the course of history while others argue that it is a management style that is development oriented (Thomas,1999). In this context, good development management should consistently promote developmental values at all levels irrespective of whether it is the easiest way of achieving success in particular developmental tasks. SEPE professionals need to take actions in evaluating current curricular regarding training of coaches, sports people and sports administrators with the aim of ensuring that government policies are implemented and only high quality managers are released into the market. Collaboration Collaboration is a process which involves two or more parties working together for a common goal. Collaboration in SEPE will help in building consensus, learning and sharing knowledge as well as in developing creative skills. A collaborative environment is important for the development of sports, exercise and physical education. Such an environment will be beneficial to coaches, players, children and athletes at all developmental stages in the particular sport they engage in. Collaboration should be encouraged between groups and networks backed up with a legal framework. Collaboration methods when applied positively will increase team success, collective responsibility and help in boosting creative problem solving among participants (Geof Nichols, 2004). The establishment of a network of professionals, government ministries, non-governmental organization, sports federations and international bodies will go a long way in solving conflicts, coordinating activities and boosting general knowledge about sports and its benefits. Partnerships Forming partnerships are common means of achieving specific goals. Partnerships may comprise groups of organizations or individuals which are strategically organised with the intention of enhancing people's opportunities to take part in a wide range of sporting activities and raising teaching standards. In many cases, partnerships are also formed that include professional bodies and international sports bodies (Geof Nichols, 2004). The UK government policy is structured to allow only a restricted number of carefully selected partners who have similar objectives (McDonald 2005). While this is a measure that ensures that only strategically profitable are made SEPE professionals should have a say in the formation of such partnerships. Professional groups such as health care experts are very important people to engage in sporting activities. Consultations should be made with health experts to come up with safe practices that will reduce chances of experiencing occupational health hazards. Coaches play an integral role in training of sports participants. In most cases one or two coaches are usually assigned to a team regardless of the number of trainees. This ought to change considering the fact that small classes are often more effective compared to larger ones. SEPE teachers should be well trained in sporting activities as this is necessary in the prevention of occupational disorders among trainees. In case the trainer is not well conversant with the harmful effects of doing things in particular ways, trainees will be more at risk of developing such conditions. Empowerment Empowerment of individuals and sporting groups plays a great role in the further development of sports. Several methods have been employed to empower sports participants including giving of rewards such as trophies and medals, offering scholarships and many more. Women and the girl child must be empowered to take part in sports both for personal and community good. This can be done through provision of sporting equipment, providing funds for the establishment of sports clubs and supporting their education by giving scholarships (Lawson, 2005). In a similar way, the physically disabled should be provided with special equipment and encouraged to actively participate in communal and personal development activities. Power While the government retains the power to influence and control all matters affecting the nation, SEPE professionals must have power to contribute to decision making and policy formulation. Under an umbrella body, the professionals should be given power to decide cases difficult cases and enforce laws that will lead to better performance and adherence to discipline (UK Sports department, 2007). Resources It is practically impossible to achieve excellence performance in sports without having the necessary resources required for the sport. While the government has endeavoured to provide a reasonable amount of resource allocation for sporting activities, it must be realised that the funding needs to be increased to cater for all geographical regions in the country (UK Sports Department, 2007). SEPE professionals should have a say in the allocation and distribution of sports funds with an aim of ensuring all sports are catered for and equitably developed in all regions of the country. A SEPE sports network should be mandated to oversee the general performance of sports in the country while also forming a dependable, efficient and effective link with international partners. Sustainable Community Development According to the United Kingdom's PAT report sport which has inherent properties and is widely popular, contributes to neighbourhood renewal through improving communal performances on four-fold key indicators: crime, health, education and employment (UK Sports department, 2007). Sport can be used as a measure to reduce crime when applied as a crime reduction program. According to Geoff, sports when applied directly for personal development will have significant positive implications on a criminal (Geof Nichols, 2004). SEPE can also effectively be used to convey educational messages that relate to health issues such as Malaria and HIV/AIDS. SEPE professionals should bear the burden of encouraging voluntary sporting as a way of keeping both body and mind refreshed and healthy. Human Capital Development Training of the county's human resource involves the expenditure of vast sums of money which must be well accounted for. While the government invests significantly in the training of sports people, trainers and administrative staff, much more needs to be done if the country's sport performances must improve. There is need for better development of better training facilities for all SEPE activities. In choosing trainers who will be responsible for specific and overall activities of human capital development, only the best performers should be selected (Flintoff, 2003). The 'Well Being' Concept The concept of "well being" is an abstract term that refers to various aspects of life. Well being encompasses aspects such as happiness, health, material well-being, and participation in society (Mintzberg, Simons, and Basu, 2002). Sport, exercise and physical education are known to have beneficial contributions to personal health, development of skills such as organisational and management, decision making and leadership skills. Many people have developed careers in sports that actually sustain and even surpass their maintenance needs. Those who are greatly talented in sports should be encouraged at the earliest opportunity to embrace their talents and work towards improving them for more fulfilling sporting careers. Social inclusion and exclusion Anti-social behaviour Social inclusion and exclusion are widely contested terms in the United Kingdom. Social exclusion is a form of closure in which one social group attempts to secure for itself a position more privileged above another. Social exclusion exists in UK in form of marginalisation of members of society based on gender, religion, age, ethnic origin, socio-economic status and other less common basis (Frisby W and Miller S, 2002). According to the UK government, social exclusion can occur when geographical areas or people suffer from linked problems that include poor skills, unemployment, low incomes, high crime, poor housing, family breakdown and bad health (Hylton and Bramham 2008). Tacking social exclusion is a challenge not limited to the local scene. Several sports development agendas have attempted to address the issue of social inclusion/exclusion ever since the 1960s. In 1996, for example, the Lisbon summit urged member states to commit themselves to the promotion of inclusion and social cohesion as a strategic goal (UK Government Sports Department, 2007). Attempts by governments to deal exclusively with problem individuals have seen little success being achieved and at its worst further aggravation of the prevailing conditions (Nicholson and Hoye 2008). This has often led to unending debate to unfold the complex correlation between disadvantage, poverty and social exclusion. In order to foster social inclusion, it must be realised that exclusion is both dynamic and relational. The best approach to bring about inclusion involves institutional changes and use of institutional processes. The development and empowerment of a SEPE network is a good starting point in the elimination of exclusion. A professional member of SEPE can work in various capacities to encourage inclusion using sport as a main instrument. Such a member instead of discriminating against the marginalised would attach value to diversity, equality, and flexibility, while also ensuring local control and steering the network towards sustainable development in all positive aspects (Sandford, Armour, and Warmington, 2006). Conclusion Sports, exercise and physical education are very important activities that contribute widely to the nation's cohesiveness, reduction of crime, improvement of well being as well as international relations. The current government policies on SEPE are greatly wanting and need to be reformulated if better performances have to be achieved. This can be corrected through the implementation of new policies and structured formulated by SEPE experts. References Flintoff A 2003 The School Sport Coordinator Programme Changing the Role of The P.E. Teacher Vol 8 No 2 pp 230-252 Frisby W and Miller S 2002 The actualities of doing community development to promote the inclusion of low income populations in local sport and recreation European sport Management Quarterly Vol 2 p 205-236 Girginov V 2008 Management of Sport Development London Butterworth Heinemann Hylton K and Bramham P 2008 Sports Development Policy Process and Practice 2nd ed London Routledge Lawson H 2005 Empowering people facilitating community development and contributing to sustainable development the social work of sport exercise and physical education programs sport education and society Vol 10 No 1 pp 134-168 McDonald I 2005 Theorising partnerships governance communicative action and sport policy journal of social policy Vol34 No 4 pp 573-605 Nicholson M and Hoye R 2008 Sport and Social Capital, Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann Mintzberg H Simons R and Basu K 2002 Beyond selfishness MIT sloan management review Fall Vol 44 No 1 pp 62-75 Nichols G 2004 Crime and Punishment and Sport Development Leisure Studies 23 pp 175-197 Thomas A 1999 www.informaworld.com/smpp/contentcontent=a713661051db=allorder=page Thomas A 1999 What makes good development management journal of international development Vol 8 No 1 pp 8-19 Sandford R Armour K and Warmington P 2006 Re-engaging disaffected youth through physical activity programmes British educational research journal vol. 32 No 2 pp 250-278 UK Sports department 2007 Ruff Guide to Sport and Government Policy http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/html/rg_policy.html Read More