tag:theconversation.com,2011:/us/topics/sports-funding-6587/articlesSports funding – The Conversation2023-08-23T00:34:01Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2119132023-08-23T00:34:01Z2023-08-23T00:34:01ZAlbanese has committed $200 million for women’s sport – but spending money on infrastructure won’t change systemic issues<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543873/original/file-20230822-19-m6ug49.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=35%2C8%2C5955%2C3979&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Jeffrey F Lin/Unsplash</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>In the wake of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the federal government has announced <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/19/albanese-government-to-pledge-200m-for-womens-sport-after-matildas-inspire-australia">A$200 million for women’s sport</a>. </p>
<p>The money will go towards improving sporting facilities and equipment for women, making women’s sport available on free-to-air television and supporting grassroots initiatives to recruit and retain women and girls in sport. </p>
<p>There is much to celebrate in funding commitments dedicated specifically to women and girl’s sport. Modernising facilities can provide a short-term excitement and uplift, but it’s their management over the long term that will influence whether women and girls participate.</p>
<p>The framework for distributing the $200 million has not yet been drawn up. While the government has indicated there will be grant opportunities for grassroots initiatives, we wonder how much money will be left – after facility builds and the free-to-air policy implementation – to deliver on such initiatives. </p>
<p>To achieve sustainable change and meaningful outcomes at the grassroots, government policy needs to encourage community sport clubs to look at what they have already got and think about doing sport differently to make facilities and club culture safe and inclusive for women and girls.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/just-the-beginning-7-ways-the-womens-world-cup-can-move-the-dial-on-womens-sport-forever-210550">Just the beginning: 7 ways the Women's World Cup can move the dial on women's sport forever</a>
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<h2>Barriers to participation</h2>
<p>Women and girls encounter a range of barriers to sport participation, <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780367854201-8/developing-sport-culturally-linguistically-diverse-women-girls-hazel-maxwell-megan-stronach">including</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li>lack of access to safe and convenient facilities </li>
<li>a poor perception of skill and fitness levels and experiences of enjoyment among adolescent girls</li>
<li>sporting codes and clubs not allowing culturally appropriate clothing </li>
<li>unsupportive community values and attitudes</li>
<li>lack of women-only environments for culturally and linguistically diverse women.</li>
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<p>Many girls drop out of sport <a href="https://www.sportaus.gov.au/youth_participation">during their teen years</a>. Building facilities and ensuring elite women’s sport is on free-to-air TV will go some way to normalising women in sport, but all of these barriers must be addressed to recruit and retain young and amateur female players. </p>
<p>Coaches and volunteers need to recognise the motivations of their players. They must also bring parents along on the journey. Some young women may be motivated by competitive sport, but others might be interested in the <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6136cb2287e8604b4c56c29b/t/639ba27cef9a2f0cd55cce69/1671144096928/MRFF+Final+151222.pdf">social aspects</a>. </p>
<p>Any new funding for women’s sports should embrace the teenage girls who are there for fun, as much as the teenagers who are interested in the competition.</p>
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<p>Social, flexible and fun sports offerings are the <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-15091-2">most effective</a> way to attract and engage women and girls. </p>
<p>One standout example is Football Victoria’s <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780367854201-4/developing-sport-mothers-dependent-children-clare-hanlon-tracy-taylor-wendy-brien">Go Soccer Mums</a>. Mothers are invited to an introductory football skills and fitness program running at the same time and place their children train. </p>
<p>The program builds confidence and social networks to re-engage women in sport. It provides a new pathway into sport and a foundation for women to transition into competitive offerings if they choose. </p>
<p>The mothers who progressed through Go Soccer Mums had an opportunity to take on leadership roles typically dominated by men. When more women are in leadership positions in grassroots sport, their interests are more likely to be <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-80043-206-220221013/full/html">reflected in decision-making</a>. </p>
<p>Policy and funding should be directed to encourage strong representation of women and girls in coaching, officiating and leadership roles in sport at the grassroots. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/for-postpartum-moms-playing-team-sports-boosted-well-being-and-helped-manage-unrealistic-expectations-of-motherhood-204239">For postpartum moms, playing team sports boosted well-being and helped manage unrealistic expectations of motherhood</a>
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<h2>Better access to existing facilities</h2>
<p>In traditionally male-dominated sports, there continues to be a gender bias. Boys’ and men’s participation is <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0193723520962955">privileged</a> over women’s and girls’. </p>
<p>Men dominate leadership positions. Men’s and boys’ fixtures often get scheduled first on preferred fields and with the top officials. There’s often an expectation women and girls take on organising and support roles. </p>
<p>In this, the issue is not about the provision of facilities but about <a href="https://changeourgame.vic.gov.au/leadership-centre/women-and-girls-participation-in-male-dominated-sports">lack of equitable use</a> of these facilities. </p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Women playing hockey." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=442&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543899/original/file-20230822-29-u4eay3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=555&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Women’s teams are often given the less desirable time slots at shared facilities.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">John Torcasio on Unsplash</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
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<p>These practices go unquestioned and unchallenged in many communities across Australia. </p>
<p>If clubs focused on equitable use of existing facilities – with shared access to facilities and time slots – then funding for women’s sport could be targeted at other areas of need.</p>
<p>The equitable use of facilities is a target area for the Victorian government under the <a href="https://changeourgame.vic.gov.au/leadership-centre/fair-access">Fair Access Policy Roadmap</a>. Under this policy, to access infrastructure funding, local councils and sport clubs will need to demonstrate their fair access plans for equitable use of facilities. </p>
<p>Implementing this nationally would ensure investment is going towards sport clubs making progress towards gender equity. </p>
<h2>Better coaching practices</h2>
<p><a href="https://changeourgame.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/199463/DJSIR0001_Change_Our_Game_Research_Summaries_MenAsAllies_v3-1.pdf">We also need</a> initiatives that upskill coaches, committee members and volunteers to support women and girls.</p>
<p>Women’s and girls’ sport is different to men’s and boys’ sport. These players sometimes need nuanced approaches to coaching to acknowledge and address those differences. </p>
<p>Many coach development courses are based on what we know from coaching men and boys. They often <a href="https://opal.latrobe.edu.au/articles/conference_contribution/Female_athlete_considerations_Improving_coach_knowledge_and_confidence_via_an_online_short_course/23075957">overlook</a> the need for awareness and recognition of female-specific considerations when coaching and training athletes. </p>
<p>A key success factor in coaching women is the ability for coaches to empower and support female athletes. However, many coaches – who are often men – have reported <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1469029219305102#sec4">not feeling confident</a> to address things such as body image concerns. </p>
<p>Updating coaching courses to integrate specific training for supporting female athletes is an important area the federal government funding should target.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/breast-injuries-are-common-for-female-athletes-heres-why-better-awareness-and-reporting-are-needed-208369">Breast injuries are common for female athletes. Here's why better awareness and reporting are needed</a>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alana Thomson has been providing in-kind advice to Football Victoria to assist local clubs secure participation legacies as a result of the recent FIFA Women's World Cup. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Meghan Casey has been a member of a working party to improve women and girls' participation in a soccer association and has previously received research funds to explore women and girls' sport participation. </span></em></p>Modernising facilities can provide a short-term excitement, but it’s their management over the long term that will influence whether women and girls participate.Alana Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Sport Management, La Trobe UniversityMeghan Casey, Senior Lecturer, Exercise Sport Sciences, Federation University AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1648872021-09-17T11:23:52Z2021-09-17T11:23:52ZInvesting in sport is still good business for big companies (and vital for fans too)<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/420230/original/file-20210909-19-k0g7os.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C17%2C6000%2C3341&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/stadium-lights-flashes-3d-763077928">Shutterstock/winui</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The pandemic has placed enormous pressure on sport. Major competitions and events have taken place without supporters and fans, and vital sponsorship budgets have been drastically cut. </p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/marketing/how-sports-sponsorship-is-upping-its-game-for-a-post-covid-world/655182.article">one report</a> the value of sponsorship across all sports went down from US$22 billion (£16 billion) in 2019 to US$12.9 billion (£9.4 billion) in 2020. </p>
<p>As one of the most important sources of income for sports organisations, such cuts could have severe consequences for the industry. Fans (and athletes) may well worry about the damage this could inflict on the future of their cherished teams and events. </p>
<p>But the game is not over for sport sponsorship. In fact, <a href="https://cdn.whu.edu/fileadmin/Faculty/Centers/Center_for_Sports_and_Management/20210712_WHU_Research_Report_Sportsponsoring_im_Wandel.pdf">our study</a> indicates it could have a bright and lucrative future. </p>
<p>We found that this is partly down to technology, which has already transformed the way sports are performed (changing the design and performance of running shoes or bikes for example) and the observance of rules (as with Hawk-Eye in tennis, or the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football). </p>
<p>Technology has also provided new channels and formats which have significantly changed the way fans get involved with live sports. Through social media, for example, brands have been able to drastically increase their reach and boost their global image. </p>
<p>And the trend is not over yet. <a href="https://burkhartmarketing.com/sports-marketing-changed-by-virtual-and-augmented-reality/">New developments</a> for sports fans include virtual reality goggles, augmented reality apps and digital advertising boards. All present opportunities for potential income streams for major sports organisations. There are entirely new markets emerging too. The <a href="https://theconversation.com/esports-is-the-future-of-all-sports-heres-why-121335">eSports market</a>, for instance, is still growing and provides huge potential to reach both new customers and sponsors. </p>
<h2>Emotional involvement</h2>
<p>Businesses also need to remember that even when stadiums are empty, emotions are still being generated through sport – just somewhere else. And the appetite of fans to be entertained by athletic endeavour is undiminished.</p>
<p>The pandemic has been a test for all kinds of business activity. Yet at a time of huge economic uncertainty, some companies decided to increase their sponsorship activity. For example, Just Eat Takeaway became an official partner for Euro 2020 and has <a href="https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/06/09/how-the-euro-2020-delay-helped-just-eat-takeawaycom-cook-up-better-sponsorship">since signed up</a> with Uefa’s football competitions. And PepsiCo’s crisp brand Lay’s launched a <a href="https://www.sportspromedia.com/opinion/sponsorship-marketing-newsletter-18-02-lays-champions-league-campaign">major campaign</a> at the restart of the Champions’ League in February 2021. </p>
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<img alt="Bottle of beer and pizza on table in front of TV showing football game." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/420231/original/file-20210909-27-c28qnz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/420231/original/file-20210909-27-c28qnz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/420231/original/file-20210909-27-c28qnz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/420231/original/file-20210909-27-c28qnz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/420231/original/file-20210909-27-c28qnz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=417&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/420231/original/file-20210909-27-c28qnz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=417&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/420231/original/file-20210909-27-c28qnz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=417&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">A commercial combo?</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/tv-football-game-home-3d-cgi-1790242802">Shutterstock/TheVisualsYouNeed</a></span>
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<p>A key element of this kind of successful sponsorship is the ability to adapt swiftly to changes and to be close to the consumer and their emotions – wherever that may be.</p>
<p>Businesses can also benefit from the important role of sport in society that goes beyond winning or losing on the pitch. </p>
<p>Fairness and equality are values that the world of sport is expected to reflect. So backing a team or an event is a powerful way for a firm to represent its own approach to social responsibility, as McDonald’s have shown in its <a href="https://www.thefa.com/news/2018/aug/06/mcdonalds-sponsorship-renewal-020818">support for grassroots football</a> in partnership with the English Football Association. </p>
<p>This kind of approach can connect businesses to fans, and fans to sport. After all, without the money sponsorship provides, who pays for expensive events like Wimbledon or the Olympics?</p>
<p>The pandemic has also <a href="https://johancruyffinstitute.com/en/blog-en/sport-marketing/covid-19s-impact-on-the-sport-sponsorship-industry/">shown</a> the important social role that sport and funding sport can play in difficult times. Even with marketing budgets under pressure, the gradual return of sport was surely one of the most celebrated returns to normality – an outlet and focus for emotion and passion.</p>
<p>According to our study, at its best, the financial backing of sports sponsorship leads to stability, communication and entertainment, and the continued turning of the wheels of sports which are loved around the world. New players, markets and partnerships may change over the coming years – but it will stay relevant and vital, both to companies who invest in it, and the fans who appreciate the results.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/164887/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The publicy available study has been commissioned by the industry association 'Vereinigung Sportsponsoring-Anbieter (VSA)'.
Lorenzo Kurras does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sascha L. Schmidt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Sponsorship is key to holding some of the most popular events in the world.Lorenzo Kurras, PhD Candidate, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of ManagementSascha L. Schmidt, Professor and Director, Center for Sports and Management, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of ManagementLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1395822020-06-15T13:41:45Z2020-06-15T13:41:45ZCoronavirus: the future of women’s football is under threat<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/341806/original/file-20200615-65942-1hl134r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=161%2C41%2C3832%2C2616&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">England's Nikita Parris and US's Crystal Dunn at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Semi Final match in France. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/nikita-parris-crystal-dunn-nc-courage-1442658437">Jose Breton- Pics Action/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Women’s football has made great strides in recent years. Attendances at the women’s FA Cup final continue to <a href="http://www.thefa.com/news/2019/may/04/fa-cup-final-crowd-kelly-simmons-040519">set new records</a>. One <a href="https://home.barclays/news/press-releases/2019/09/third-of-brits-now-fans-of-women-s-football/">survey suggested</a> that one-third of adults are interested in the women’s game and 69% of those believe it deserves the same profile as men’s football. </p>
<p>However, the coronavirus pandemic has left the game in a precarious position. Although the suspension of elite football in England was initially applied evenly to both men’s and women’s competitions, there will be deeper and more far-reaching consequences for the women’s game.</p>
<p>The Football Association’s (FA) 2017 <a href="http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/mar/13/fa-womens-football-strategy-gameplan-for-growth-double-participation-130317">Game Plan for Growth</a>, which included doubling the number of women and girls taking part in football by 2020 and improving commercial prospects, has largely been left unfulfilled. Such promises of equality (football for all) by the FA are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/may/23/hollow-promises-of-equality-are-to-blame-if-womens-super-league-is-cancelled">starting to sound hollow</a>. The Women’s Super League (WSL) and Championship seasons have now been cancelled. In contrast, plans to resume the men’s Premier League and Championship advance at pace.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/there-are-plenty-of-female-superstars-in-football-but-very-few-women-coaches-heres-why-126139">There are plenty of female superstars in football, but very few women coaches – here's why</a>
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<p>In our recently published research – <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23750472.2020.1766377">the first academic study on this topic</a> – we have highlighted why the pandemic is impacting men’s and women’s football differently. </p>
<h2>Significant challenges</h2>
<p>Prior to the pandemic, elite women’s football was already facing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/feb/12/why-wont-clubs-invest-properly-in-their-womens-super-league-teams">poor pitches, lower wages and prize money and conditions</a> far behind men’s clubs. The biggest challenge for women’s football is that elite women’s teams rely on sponsorship for income. For example, <a href="https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2020/04/09/womens-football/1018961-manchester-city-women-201819-financial-review.html">80% of Manchester City Women’s turnover</a> is from commercial activity, most of which is sponsorship. </p>
<p>Women’s sport is also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/may/09/i-thought-the-main-issue-in-womens-sports-was-equal-pay-i-was-wrong">underfunded</a> when compared to men’s in terms of things like marketing and prize money – see the tweet below. COVID-19 is also likely to hit many businesses’ profits hard, leaving companies who previously wanted to invest in women’s football unable to. If this causes the pool of sponsors to shrink - a pool that is already small - the future of women’s football will be under financial threat. </p>
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<p>At the same time, financial strain on men’s football means women’s football could be one of the casualties. The majority of elite women’s teams are secondary sides under the umbrella of the professional men’s club. There are numerous examples in recent history where relegation or financial hardship for the men’s club has resulted in cutting ties with the women’s team. </p>
<p>For example, when the men’s club withdrew their financial support in 2017, Notts County women’s club collapsed the day before the new season, leaving their players <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/21/notts-county-ladies-fold-two-days-before-season">jobless and, in some cases, homeless</a>. When men’s teams cut their ties like this, women’s teams can be left with no choice but to fold.</p>
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<p>Finally, elite women’s football is partially funded by the FA. The association has put significant investment into the women’s sport since <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45355268">professionalisation occurred</a> in 2018, but historically, women’s football has been undervalued by the FA. It <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vQPfAQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&ots=y243p3b05O&sig=O607W5Yhf2cr7tMoOF-bez8Mq1E&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false">banned women’s matches</a> from the grounds of FA-affiliated clubs between 1921 and 1971. And during earlier periods of financial insecurity, clubs and the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17430437.2018.1548612">FA cut investment to the women’s game</a>. </p>
<p>Worryingly, the governing body has predicted a <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/sport-football-basketball-rugby-olympics-cancelled-coronavirus-impact-around-the-world-a9398186.html">loss in excess of £100 million</a> as a consequence of COVID-19. Grassroots and women’s football are not areas likely to be axed, but at present, there is no clear message that women’s football will continue to be invested in.</p>
<h2>Steps to save the game?</h2>
<p>Women’s football has gone through tough times before. It is resilient. So, COVID-19 may not be a fatal blow. However, swift and decisive action is needed to protect the recent momentum and growth of women’s football in England. Our recommendations are:</p>
<p>1) Clubs must shift their perspective so that women’s football is viewed as a core business and not as a goodwill gesture to the community.</p>
<p>2) Clubs should be entrepreneurial and innovative in their approaches to generating revenue for the women’s game, such as crowdfunding.</p>
<p>3) Women footballers are often on short-term contracts and juggle other jobs and family responsibilities alongside football careers. Issues surrounding wellbeing might be felt more acutely in women’s football. Clubs must work to actively support players. </p>
<p>4) The 12-month delay to the Women’s European Championship, <a href="https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/news/025c-0f3d8be5c46b-a606252552ee-1000--women-s-euro-moved-to-july-2022/">now due to be held in England in 2022</a>, should be seen as an opportunity. Leveraging mainstream interest in the Men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup, a “<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23750472.2020.1766377">festival of football</a>” could be created to attract fan interest in the women’s game.</p>
<p>5) When the game restarts, women’s football supporters must remain faithful in their support of the game. Visible advocates will show the governing body and clubs that there is a sustained demand for women’s football. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/sing-when-youre-women-why-its-time-to-take-female-sports-fans-seriously-80915">Sing when you're women: why it's time to take female sports fans seriously</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>If we are to continue advancing a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0038038518797505">“new age” of women’s football</a>, it is important that the women’s game is part of the conversation about football’s return. Without a clearly communicated strategy for the women’s game, the future of clubs and players’ health and wellbeing remain at risk.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/139582/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Stacey Pope receives funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alex Culvin, Beth Clarkson, and Keith Parry do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Could the pandemic be the end of the women’s game? Action must be taken to safeguard it.Beth Clarkson, Senior Lecturer in Sports Management, University of PortsmouthAlex Culvin, Postdoctoral Researcher in Professional Women’s Football, Durham UniversityKeith Parry, Deputy Head Of Department in Department of Sport & Events Management, Bournemouth UniversityStacey Pope, Associate Professor in the Sociology of Sport, Durham UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1021602018-09-03T13:52:35Z2018-09-03T13:52:35ZOffside: The secret deals involving public money for sports stadiums<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/234351/original/file-20180830-195316-zsresl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Edmonton's new NHL arena opened in 2016 and was partially funded by $226 million from the City of Edmonton.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The new hockey season is almost here. As training camps open and players return to the ice, another great sports tradition is back in full swing: the debate over whether professional teams should receive public funds to build new arenas and stadiums.</p>
<p>The Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators are the latest teams working on this power play.</p>
<p>The Flames want to replace <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-saddledome-nhl-arenas-1.4284445">the 35-year-old Saddledome</a>. Billionaire Murray Edwards, one of the wealthiest Canadians and the owner of the Flames, is <a href="https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/calgary-flames-owner-eyes-more-than-just-a-new-arena/article36521316/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&utm_medium=Referrer:+Social+Network+/+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links">looking for public money for his team’s new home</a>.</p>
<p>The Senators want to move out of the Ottawa suburb of Kanata into a new downtown location. Billionaire Eugene Melnyk, the owner of the Senators, <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/melnyk-senators-staying-ottawa-long-time/">is not looking for public money for his new arena</a> but is still negotiating terms to build on federally owned land near the Canadian War Museum.</p>
<p>Both of these negotiations are taking place <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-s-new-world-class-arena-rogers-place-opens-its-doors-1.3753743">under the shadow of Edmonton’s new arena</a>. Opened in 2016, Rogers Place cost <a href="https://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_events/rogers_place/the-agreement.aspx">$483.5 million</a> to build. The Edmonton Oilers paid $132.5 million, the City of Edmonton kicked in $226 million through a combination of city funds and a new local property tax, and fans will hand over $125 million through a ticket tax. Edmonton’s arena has set a precedent in Canada.</p>
<h2>Poor investments for cities</h2>
<p>Using public money has been a feature of sports in the United States since the 1950s, even though economists are almost unanimous in finding that <a href="https://econjwatch.org/articles/do-economists-reach-a-conclusion-on-subsidies-for-sports-franchises-stadiums-and-mega-events">cities receive little economic benefit from stadiums</a>.</p>
<p>New jobs created by a stadium are part-time and low-wage, such as ushers or concession workers. Without a new stadium, construction <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/calgary-saddledome-arena-ken-king-naheed-nenshi/">workers would simply build other things</a>. Local businesses <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1527002516641168">might benefit a bit from a new stadium</a>, but it’s unclear. If cities are building stadiums to stimulate the economy, they would be better off having the <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/why-do-mayors-love-sports-stadiums/">mayor throw money out of a helicopter</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/234352/original/file-20180830-195331-cwv92s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/234352/original/file-20180830-195331-cwv92s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=388&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234352/original/file-20180830-195331-cwv92s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=388&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234352/original/file-20180830-195331-cwv92s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=388&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234352/original/file-20180830-195331-cwv92s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=487&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234352/original/file-20180830-195331-cwv92s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=487&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234352/original/file-20180830-195331-cwv92s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=487&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The Calgary Flames are asking for public funding to build a new arena to replace the Saddledome, built in the 1980s.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>But the gravy train won’t stop. Between 2005 and 2017, <a href="https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/jsm.2012-0210">39 stadiums in North America were approved</a> to be built with public subsidies. It seems that nothing will stop politicians from handing over public dollars to professional sports teams. The state of <a href="http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/detroit-billionaires-get-us450m-hockey-arena-as-city-suffers-under-bankruptcy">Michigan granted permission for Detroit to sell $450 million in bonds</a> to finance a new hockey arena only six days after Detroit claimed bankruptcy.</p>
<h2>Undemocratic deals</h2>
<p>Compounding the poor economic outcomes is the undemocratic nature of many stadium deals. Politicians are unlikely to risk the public vote on stadium funding. Instead, city councils vote on the deals that they negotiate with the teams.</p>
<p>These negotiations are increasingly being done behind closed doors.</p>
<p>A deal to build a new stadium for the Atlanta Braves in Cobb Country, Ga., wasn’t revealed to the public until after the fact. Team president John Schurerholz was <a href="https://www.11alive.com/article/sports/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-president-cobb-deal-had-to-be-kept-under-wraps/253151902">unapologetic for the secrecy</a>.</p>
<p>“If it had leaked out, this deal would not have gotten done…people would have started taking the position of ‘We don’t want that to happen. We want to see how viable this was going to be,’ ” said Schurerholz.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/234353/original/file-20180830-195319-5gsbzm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/234353/original/file-20180830-195319-5gsbzm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234353/original/file-20180830-195319-5gsbzm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234353/original/file-20180830-195319-5gsbzm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234353/original/file-20180830-195319-5gsbzm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234353/original/file-20180830-195319-5gsbzm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/234353/original/file-20180830-195319-5gsbzm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Fireworks go off over SunTrust Park after the Atlanta Braves played their first game in the new stadium in 2017. More than $300 million in public funds went toward the stadium’s construction, but the public wasn’t told about the deal until after the fact.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/David Goldman)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When the Cobb County Board of Commissioners finally held a public hearing before approving over $300 million in subsidies, only 12 people were allowed to speak. Others who requested time to speak were <a href="http://www.myajc.com/news/cobb-approves-major-braves-stadium-agreements/VlgOPijPkz6hyKurCvZ9dL/#c4182e7d.3533006.73538">“escorted from the room.”</a></p>
<p>The removal of transparency and public participation is not just an American problem. The Calgary Flames recently said they would only resume negotiations for a new arena <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-city-council-arena-flames-1.4713493">if the media and public are not informed</a> until an agreement is reached.</p>
<p>Without public involvement, team owners only need to cozy up to city council, rather than make their pitch to hundreds of thousands of citizens. This situation increases the risk that a deal will not consider the benefit to the public, and also runs the risk of outright corruption.</p>
<p>What happens after the stadium is built, and promises about jobs and economic benefits aren’t kept by the team? Probably nothing. In Edmonton, promises to hire people from low-income neighbourhoods around the arena were only <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-s-rogers-place-community-benefits-don-t-stack-up-to-projects-in-other-cities-critics-1.3738014">partially kept</a>.</p>
<p>In Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/auditor-general-investors-group-field-report-1.4767185">recently wrote off $118 million</a> owed on Investors Group Field, a new football stadium that opened in 2013. The former politicians involved in making that deal <a href="https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/silence-is-deafening-on-stadium-debt-489482241.html">have been silent</a>. That’s not unusual: once a team begins playing in a new stadium, it seems only the on-field performance matters anymore.</p>
<p>The lack of democracy, transparency and accountability matters for stadiums — and also for hosting major sporting events.</p>
<p>As Calgary works on <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Calgary-2026-Olympic-bid/Olympics-Bid-2026.aspx">a bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics</a>, and Canada prepares to <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/4271236/2026-fifa-world-cup-canada-venues-stadiums/">co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup</a>, more calls for building sporting infrastructure with public money will come.</p>
<p>While new stadiums and sport infrastructure can have some benefits — the 2010 Winter Olympics were <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-olympics-worth-the-7-billion-price-tag-study-says/article15036916/">considered a success</a> — the risk of a fiasco like <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jul/06/40-year-hangover-1976-olympic-games-broke-montreal-canada">Montréal’s billion-dollar deficit and a new “Big Owe”</a> is always lurking.</p>
<p>What can citizens do? They can demand that politicians and builders of stadiums be held accountable for the stadiums they build. They can demand that promises of community benefits are made concrete — and in writing. Construction and operation of a stadium should be overseen by an independent watchdog. Finally, there should be consequences for those who do not live up to their promises and who engage in corruption or other financial malfeasance.</p>
<p>As the old saying goes, you get rich by spending other people’s money. This won’t stop team owners and politicians from spending money on stadiums. But we can at least demand that these stadiums benefit the public whose money is being spent.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102160/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ryan Gauthier received funding from the Thompson Rivers University Internal Research Fund to support this research. </span></em></p>The Calgary Flames are the latest pro sports team asking for public funds for a new arena. Cities across North America help fund sports facilities, but with little transparency and accountabilityRyan Gauthier, Assistant Professor of Law, Thompson Rivers UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/921792018-02-26T01:21:34Z2018-02-26T01:21:34ZAustralia’s Winter Olympics results suggest we might need a new measure of success<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/207778/original/file-20180226-140194-1en1sfw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The Australian team finished 23rd on the medal tally in Pyeongchang.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">EPA/Vassil Donev</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>As the Winter Olympic Games wrap up for another four years, questions will be raised about the Australian team’s performance, the significance of winter sports in our sporting landscape, and the amount of taxpayer funding they receive.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/australias_winning_edge">Winning Edge strategy</a> was introduced in late 2012 as a way of allocating funding based on performance (especially international medals). After <a href="https://theconversation.com/winning-edge-fails-to-deliver-so-what-now-for-australias-olympic-hopes-64051">much controversy</a>, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) announced late last year it will no longer use the name Winning Edge; it has replaced it with values that promote sport success as influential on national pride and inspiration.</p>
<p>However, measuring the success of the Australian team in Pyeongchang – and the investment of <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/games/pyeongchang2018/games_news/story_667679_australias_winter_olympians_show_steely_resolve">A$16 million</a> to support it – may still be aligned to the ambitious Winning Edge targets. The target was to finish in the top 15 on the medal table. So, how will the AIS measure the success (or otherwise) of Pyeongchang?</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/will-a-controversial-sports-funding-strategy-give-australias-winter-olympians-the-winning-edge-90854">Will a controversial sports funding strategy give Australia's Winter Olympians the winning edge?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Did the Australian team disappoint?</h2>
<p>The Australian team finished 23rd on the medal table in Pyeongchang, with two silver medals and one bronze medal. While this is the same number of medals it won at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, this team was expected to perform better. <a href="http://pyeongchang2018.olympics.com.au/news/australian-olympic-team-selected-for-pyeongchang-2018">Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman</a> said before the Games:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is the best-performed team that we’ve taken to an Olympic Games with a large number of athletes who have established that they are among the very best in their sports globally.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Medal favourites and Olympic veterans David Morris and Lydia Lassila had high expectations, but were unable to achieve back-to-back Olympic medal wins. As a result, Australia failed to win a medal in the Winter Olympic sport it has been most successful in: aerial skiing. It was the first time in <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/sport/olympics/20year-first-as-no-olympic-medals-for-australian-aerials-women-20180216-h0w8jl.html">20 years</a> the Australian women’s aerial skiing team has not won a medal. </p>
<p>The three <a href="http://pyeongchang2018.olympics.com.au/medal-tally/aus-medallists">Australian medals</a> were won by young athletes competing in the moguls, snowboard cross, and halfpipe events.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-winning-mogul-skier-like-matt-graham-91743">What makes a winning mogul skier like Matt Graham?</a>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-winning-halfpipe-snowboarder-like-scotty-james-91833">What makes a winning halfpipe snowboarder like Scotty James?</a>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-winning-snowboard-cross-athlete-like-jarryd-hughes-91927">What makes a winning snowboard cross athlete like Jarryd Hughes?</a>
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<p>While unexpected medals are always the highlight of any Olympics, it does raise questions about Winning Edge. Funding leading into these Olympics was allocated based on Winning Edge, which directed financial support to athletes with the most potential to win a medal.</p>
<h2>Where to for funding of high-performance sport?</h2>
<p>The federal government has made no announcement on the direction or focus of high-performance sport and its funding priorities.</p>
<p>While Winning Edge published clear guidelines on performance expectations and funding allocations, it is unclear how the success of Australia’s Pyeongchang Olympic team – and, very soon, its Commonwealth Games team – will be measured in terms of government policy and spending.</p>
<p>The performance targets and funding allocations for Winter Olympic athletes as they prepare for Beijing in 2022 are similarly unknown.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/australias_winning_edge">message from the AIS</a> is that high-performance sport is about:</p>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li><p>consistent and sustainable success for Australian athletes and teams on the world stage</p></li>
<li><p>greater levels of accountability for performance results</p></li>
<li><p>improved governance structures and contemporary reporting and monitoring of performance</p></li>
<li><p>engaging, uniting, inspiring and motivating all Australians.</p></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>While these key areas are very closely aligned to Winning Edge, the ambitious targets and linking funding to podium success may be under review. </p>
<p>AIS director Peter Conde <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/olympics/no-more-winning-edge-for-high-performance-funding-system/news-story/8e2e6363eec27ef13c5f3f6dc3c6747c">explained his vision</a> for high-performance sport policy:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It is about national pride and inspiration through sporting success, and that comes from more than a medal count. We want a real focus on the value that athletes bring to the community.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Are Australians interested in the Winter Olympics?</h2>
<p>Despite questions over Australians’ level of interest in the Winter Olympics, viewer statistics suggest they were interested. The ratings for the first week of the Games were strong: broadcaster Channel Seven attracted close to 1 million viewers nationwide per night. Overall, Australians spent 43 million minutes over the first week <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/australians-spent-43-million-minutes-watching-the-winter-olympics-last-week-20180216-h0w83o.html">watching the Olympics</a>.</p>
<p>Many younger viewers streamed coverage to personal devices. This demonstrates the appeal the Winter Olympics have for younger people – who, according to the <a href="https://www.olympic.org/olympic-agenda-2020">International Olympic Committee</a>, have generally lost interest in watching them. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/live-from-pyeongchang-how-an-olympic-broadcast-works-91238">Live from Pyeongchang: how an Olympic broadcast works</a>
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<p>So, perhaps the AIS leaders are considering the value Australian athletes bring to the community when competing on the world stage. Do their performances inspire and excite the nation? Does our participation – as an island nation, with minimal snow or ice – bring about feelings of national pride? </p>
<p>While the jury may be still be out on these questions, there is no doubt many Australians thoroughly enjoyed the Winter Olympics and felt pride and admiration for our courageous athletes – regardless of the number of medals they brought home.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/92179/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lisa Gowthorp does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Measuring the success of the Australian team at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang may still be aligned to the ambitious Winning Edge targets.Lisa Gowthorp, Assistant Professor of Sport Management, Bond Business School, Bond UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/908542018-02-06T01:07:34Z2018-02-06T01:07:34ZWill a controversial sports funding strategy give Australia’s Winter Olympians the winning edge?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/204504/original/file-20180202-123833-qq6icx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Snowboarding is one of just two Winter Olympic sports to receive funding under Winning Edge.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP/Andy Green</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Australia will send <a href="http://pyeongchang2018.olympics.com.au/team">51 athletes</a> to this month’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang to compete across 11 disciplines. Freestyle skiing and snowboarding are the most popular sports; 28 athletes will represent Australia in these disciplines.</p>
<p>National sporting organisations and individual athletes have applied for funding and support ahead of the Olympics under the controversial Winning Edge strategy. The strategy prioritises funding for sports that have the greatest chance of success or that can demonstrate a capability to deliver results. </p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/australias_winning_edge/our_game_plan/performance_targets">Winning Edge targets</a>, Australia’s team in Pyeongchang is expected to finish in the top 15 on the medal table.</p>
<h2>How Winning Edge works</h2>
<p>At the <a href="http://corporate.olympics.com.au/games/sochi-2014">2014 Sochi Olympics</a>, Australia finished 24th on the medal table, with no gold medals. But at the <a href="http://corporate.olympics.com.au/games/vancouver-2010">2010 Vancouver Games</a> Australia finished 13th, winning two gold medals. </p>
<p>So, it is not out of reach for the Australian team to meet the Winning Edge targets. However, medal expectations lie with the sports funded by the strategy – namely skiing and snowboard. </p>
<p>In 2017, both the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) had significant changes in leadership. As a result, the AIS <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/australias_winning_edge">announced</a> it will no longer use the Winning Edge brand name. The new AIS director, Peter Conde, <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/olympics/no-more-winning-edge-for-high-performance-funding-system/news-story/8e2e6363eec27ef13c5f3f6dc3c6747c">explained</a>: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>I don’t think it’s a brand that’s useful in the future.</p>
<p>For elite sport this is about national pride and inspiration through sporting success, and that comes from more than a medal count. We want a real focus on the value that athletes bring to the community.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While change is on the way, the athletes have prepared for PyeongChang under the Winning Edge principles. Winning Edge outlines <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/australias_winning_edge/our_game_plan/high_performance_investment_principles">investment principles</a> that determine what sports – and athletes – will be funded and for how much. The bottom line is that sports must contribute to Winning Edge targets to receive long-term funding.</p>
<p>Winning Edge has <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/australias_winning_edge/sport_categorisation">categorised</a> all Australian sports on their ability to contribute to the Winning Edge targets. Skiing and snowboarding are “foundation sports”, due to past medal success, and therefore receive funding under Winning Edge. No other winter sport qualified for funding under Winning Edge. </p>
<p>Unlike summer Olympic sports, which work closely with the AIS, skiing and snowboarding work with the <a href="http://www.owia.org/owia-about.html">Olympic Winter Institute</a>. The institute receives funding from the <a href="http://corporate.olympics.com.au/the-aoc/programs-and-funding/funding-winter/2018-winter-olympic-games-pyeongchang/aoc-funding-winter-sports/flushcache/1/showdraft/1">Australian Olympic Committee</a> (A$1 million per year from 2015 to 2018) and the ASC.</p>
<p>The Olympic Winter Institute’s <a href="http://www.owia.org/policies--documents.html">Winter Sports Winning Edge guideline</a> highlights the requirements of winter national sporting organisations or individual athletes hoping to receive financial support. Athletes must demonstrate a podium or top-eight finish at benchmark events if they are to be considered for funding.</p>
<p>So, for the smaller winter Olympic sports, performance is required before funding is received. But how can athletes improve their performance without funding or support? </p>
<p>Many athletes from the smaller winter sports (like bobsleigh, skeleton, luge and skating) source corporate funding and rely on the generosity of international teams to assist with coaching, training and accommodation while competing overseas. Many athletes in these smaller sports are self-funded in an attempt to make the Olympic team. </p>
<p>The Australian Olympic Committee does provide <a href="http://corporate.olympics.com.au/the-aoc/programs-and-funding/funding-winter/2018-winter-olympic-games-pyeongchang/aoc-funding-winter-sports/flushcache/1/showdraft/1">additional support</a> to national sporting organisations and/or athletes who do not receive funding from the Australian Sports Commission. These contributions are up to $50,000 to sports such as biathlon, skating, bobsleigh, skeleton and luge.</p>
<h2>The future beyond Winning Edge</h2>
<p>The future, according to Conde, is what “value athletes bring to the community”. But what does this actually mean? </p>
<p>The Australian Sports Commission sought public engagement in the first half of 2017 to contribute towards the development of a <a href="https://www.greghunt.com.au/Home/LatestNews/tabid/133/ID/4261/National-Plan-for-elite-sport-and-participation.aspx">National Sport Plan</a>. The plan <a href="https://www.ausport.gov.au/nationalsportsplan">seeks to</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>… understand Australia’s expectations of the sport sector, including our shared goals for high-performance sport.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But will Australians value winter sports and value the effort and dedication of those athletes competing at the Winter Olympics? </p>
<p>If an athlete’s role is to bring value to the community, surely the heroic efforts of our winter sport athletes bring inspiration, national pride and unity to many communities across Australia. Let’s hope all will be clear once the National Sport Plan – which includes the direction for high-performance sport – is released by the Australian Sports Commission later this year.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/90854/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lisa Gowthorp is on the Board of Directors for Sliding Sports Australia (Bobsleigh & Skeleton).
</span></em></p>It’s not out of reach for the Australian Winter Olympic team to meet the Winning Edge targets of a top-15 finish on the medal tally.Lisa Gowthorp, Assistant Professor of Sport Management, Bond Business School, Bond UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/694752016-11-29T00:08:02Z2016-11-29T00:08:02ZWill a UK-style lottery system really take Australia back to its Olympic glory days?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/147826/original/image-20161128-22732-1nb3oyo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The Australian Sports Commission's John Wylie has reignited discussions about a UK-style lottery system to fund sport in Australia.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP/Julian Smith</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Australia recorded its lowest medal tally in 24 years at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This prompted calls to examine the current funding model and seek alternative revenue streams.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/50m-lottery-our-last-hope-of-remaining-olympic-power-sports-chief/news-story/cdfa99986a85813428092d5ab8a235b6">Reports</a> suggest Australian high-performance sport is being outspent two to one by Britain. And many believe this <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/rio-olympics-lack-of-funding-key-to-poor-games-outcome/news-story/5bc4923aa2031ed4fc82ee662f246025">lack of funding</a> is to blame for Australia’s poor performance in Rio. So, what are the solutions?</p>
<h2>State of play</h2>
<p>The Australian Sports Commission’s contentious <a href="http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/australias_winning_edge">Winning Edge</a> strategy, released in late 2012 after the London Olympics, set ambitious performance targets for the Olympic team.</p>
<p>Under Winning Edge, Australia was expected to finish in the top five on the medal table at Rio. The high-performance strategy directed taxpayer funding toward proven successful sports, and sports chiefs were confident of <a href="http://www.afr.com/business/sport/ais-confident-funding-changes-will-lead-to-better-results-at-rio-olympics-20160512-gote1b">achieving better results</a> than in London.</p>
<p>However, Australia finished tenth on the Rio medal table. </p>
<p>The expectation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo remains for Australia to finish in the top five. However, the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) acting chief executive, Matt Favier, <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/olympic-funding-fewer-sports-or-drop-down-the-medal-table/news-story/b74d89cb01cddba364dd27ae10f3e895">recently admitted</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If you want to pursue top five with a declining funding pool, you either fund fewer sports or you rethink if top five is achievable because it’s so much harder without the appropriate funding.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Following below-expectations performances at Rio, many sports lost up to 10% of their annual government funding. The <a href="http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/653449/ASC_Investment_allocation_2016-17.pdf">investment allocation for 2016-17</a> was determined on criteria that took into account Rio performances and future contributions to Winning Edge priorities. The biggest losers were:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>canoeing (-A$235,000); </p></li>
<li><p>cycling (-$391,500);</p></li>
<li><p>hockey (-$292,000); and</p></li>
<li><p>water polo (-$169,250). </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Modern pentathlon was the only sport to receive a significant funding increase. It added $70,000 to its budget of $95,000.</p>
<h2>Now what?</h2>
<p>On Monday, ASC chairman John Wylie reignited discussions about implementing a <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/sport/olympics/rio-2016/ukstyle-lottery-funding-system-proposed-after-rio-olympics-20160901-gr6c3y.html">UK-style lottery system</a> in Australia. <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/50m-lottery-our-last-hope-of-remaining-olympic-power-sports-chief/news-story/cdfa99986a85813428092d5ab8a235b6">Wylie said</a> this lottery would need to be in place by the end of 2017 to have an impact on Australia’s performances at the 2020 Olympics. </p>
<p>Proposals to introduce a national sport lottery system in Australia are not new. A commercial group proposed such a scheme in 1979, but the government took no action at the time.</p>
<p>Later, the <a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/2012-2013/SportFunding">House of Representatives Standing Committee on Expenditure</a> discussed the topic in 1983. It conceded the idea had some support, but the states were:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>… unenthusiastic as they considered it would inevitably erode their own lottery revenue bases. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>In 1995, a proposal was again floated for a national sport lottery to assist the staging of the Sydney Olympics in 2000. However, similar concerns about state co-operation were highlighted as a barrier. The committee also concluded that people had enough opportunities to engage in gambling in Australia, and therefore a sport lottery was not warranted. </p>
<p>Twenty years on, the Australian Sports Commission is now seeking federal government legislation to approve an online national lottery system. Wylie <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/50m-lottery-our-last-hope-of-remaining-olympic-power-sports-chief/news-story/cdfa99986a85813428092d5ab8a235b6">said</a> the proposed online lottery would not clash with traditional lottery licences held by the states – a concern that has thwarted previous attempts. </p>
<h2>Strengths and weaknesses of a lottery system</h2>
<p>A national lottery system would potentially raise between $30 million and $50 million per year. The funds would then be allocated across high-performance and community sport. </p>
<p>Under the <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/olympics-2016/national-lottery-scheme-needed-to-boost-australias-olympic-funding-before-tokyo-2020/news-story/4dd57a5bcac26701103b65b2681f9ee1">UK’s lottery system</a>, 50% of returns goes back into the prize pool, 28% goes to “good causes” (such as sport) and 12% goes to the government. It <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/50m-lottery-our-last-hope-of-remaining-olympic-power-sports-chief/news-story/cdfa99986a85813428092d5ab8a235b6">began in 1994</a>, two years before British sport bottomed out at the Atlanta Olympics – where it won just one gold medal.</p>
<p>Despite Wylie <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/sport/asc-boss-john-wylie-pushes-responsible-lottery-to-fund-olympic-success-20161127-gsytq0.html">claiming</a> the management of the lottery would be outsourced, concerns about allocation and distribution remain. Former Australian hockey coach Ric Charlesworth has <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/olympic-dream-a-nightmare-without-a-big-boost-in-funds-charlesworth/news-story/6754ccdd698c4bd72a34c32b421d0182">previously argued</a> that sports funding has to be separated from the whims of politics, which often leave national sports organisations unable to make long-term plans. </p>
<p>Government funding through Winning Edge has been criticised for its allocation of money to sports with the best medal chances. So, under a lottery system, who would determine priorities in Olympic and community sport? And would an increase in external funding to sport potentially lead to a decrease in the government allocation to sport?</p>
<p>While there are many questions to be answered, the chances of passing legalisation for a national sport lottery in time to have any impact on athletes participating at the 2020 Olympics are slim. And co-operation and co-ordination with state governments will be a significant challenge, especially if current state lottery revenues are threatened. </p>
<p>More funding is definitely needed for Australia’s Olympic and community sports. But our sport system has greater issues that need to be tackled if we are to return to our former Olympic glory.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>Below is an interactive comparing money spent to medals won at the 2016 Olympics.</em></p>
<p><iframe id="tc-infographic-214" class="tc-infographic" height="5000" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/214/b2ec79939c9a84957c6d07a0334e20989cc8b159/site/index.html" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><em>Note: The weighted medal cost is determined by weighting the medals won (where a bronze medal has a value of one, silver a value of two and gold a value of three), then dividing the total amount spent by the total weighted value of the medals.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/69475/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lisa Gowthorp does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Proposals to introduce a national sport lottery system in Australia are not new.Lisa Gowthorp, Assistant Professor of Sport Management, Bond UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/643472016-08-24T19:51:13Z2016-08-24T19:51:13ZAdministrative ineptitude threatens to hobble Kenya’s track and field athletes<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/135303/original/image-20160824-30222-1bjpr5g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Kenyan-born Ruth Jebet, just 19, waves the Bahraini flag after winning gold over Kenyan competitors at the Rio Olympics. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Reuters/Dominic Ebenbichler</span></span></figcaption></figure><p><em>Kenya emerged as the <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=rio%20olympics%20final%20medals%20table&mie=oly%2C%5B%22%2Fm%2F03tnk7%22%2C1%2C%22m%22%2C1%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C0%5D">top African nation</a> on the Rio Olympics medal table thanks to its track and field team. But the country’s continued international success has masked <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/35551486">serious management lapses</a>. Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu explains that these are to blame for the steady exodus of athletes to other countries.</em></p>
<p><strong>What ails track and field management in Kenya?</strong></p>
<p>Track and field as a sport has contributed most to the positive global image of Kenya as a sporting super power. This was quite evident in the World Athletics Championships in 2015 when against all odds, Kenya emerged as the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34102562">number one nation</a> ahead of the US, Jamaica, Great Britain, Germany and Russia, among others. </p>
<p>At the Rio Olympics Kenya came second only to the US in track and field medal rankings. In fact, it was only track and field athletes who contributed to Kenya’s medal haul and its 15th place overall on the rankings table.</p>
<p>But this success hides inefficiencies and errors – both of omission and commission – by the administrators who run Kenya’s track and field programmes. </p>
<p>These include:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>a poor leadership structure that sees the same people retain a grip on their positions. This cuts out new and fresh ideas to propel the sport forward;</p></li>
<li><p>a growing prevalence of accusations of corruption in selecting athletes for international assignments; </p></li>
<li><p>a lack of proactive action on <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/35551486">doping control</a> and education. This has seen many athletes failing drug tests or failing to appear for testing; </p></li>
<li><p>the absence of a proper monetary compensation structure for athletes who represent the country in international competitions; </p></li>
<li><p>instability at the secretariat, which is the nerve centre for any successful organisation; and,</p></li>
<li><p>poor management of sponsorship contracts and the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/world/africa/nike-under-scrutiny-as-payments-for-kenya-runners-are-drained.html?_r=0">resources</a> meant for developing the sport. There’s also a lack of support for the other organisations that identify, nurture and provide the young talent such as schools, colleges and universities. </p></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Is Kenya in danger of losing its reputation for talent and hard work?</strong></p>
<p>It is not easy for Kenya to completely lose its reputation as the source of athletic talent. Given the rewards that the emerging athletes earn from their effort, the pipeline of talent will continue. The biggest threat to Kenya’s reputation is the desire to use drugs in an atmosphere of fierce internal competitiveness. The federation has to be extremely diligent in handling doping tests. This must go hand in hand with education.</p>
<p>The consequences of not doing so are severe: Kenya could, in future, find itself suspended from international competitions. This would not be without precedent given Russia’s ongoing <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-russia-klishina-idUSKCN10O0QV">tribulations</a>. </p>
<p><strong>What should be done to prevent further damage to Kenya’s image?</strong></p>
<p>The good performance at the Rio Olympics has made up for the negative publicity over doping control procedures and the absence of the required law. All efforts should be geared to avoid crossing swords with the world anti-doping agency.</p>
<p><strong>Is poor management partly to blame for the exodus of athletes from Kenya to other countries?</strong></p>
<p>Certainly, and the greatest obstacle is poor administration. Poor and potentially embarrassing administrative lapses were evident before and during the Rio Olympics:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>two track and field officials were expelled from the Games over claims of <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/second-kenyan-official-expelled-from-olympics-over-drug-scandal-10532420">doping</a>; </p></li>
<li><p>an administrative <a href="https://tuko.co.ke/154467-drama-jkia-julius-yegos-ticket-rio-olympics-goes-missing.html">lapse</a> saw the world javelin champion without an air ticket to the Games – where he eventually won a silver medal; </p></li>
<li><p>a sprinter with dual citizenship was <a href="http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/article/2000212654/how-noc-k-bungled-entry-bids-for-sprint-star-and-high-jumper">almost disqualified</a> for initially being accredited using a US passport rather than a Kenyan one, and; </p></li>
<li><p>part of the official <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/news/The-scandal-of-Kenya-s-Rio-Olympics/1056-3343980-kvao27z/">kit went missing</a> and athletes had to do with the bare minimum. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>All these lapses and the shenanigans that occur during team selection for international competitions are quite <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/nov/23/athletes-storm-athletics-kenya-protest">frustrating</a>, especially for up and coming athletes. </p>
<p>The principal avenue for a young athlete to make a breakthrough is by winning selection to the national team or getting a ticket to an international meeting. When these opportunities are <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/athletics/Why-athletes-are-switching-allegiance/1100-3348520-15bp7myz/">uncertain</a>, some athletes have turned to looking for <a href="http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2000212161/over-30-athletics-exports-return-to-haunt-kenya-in-rio-olympics">alternative nations</a> desperate for the global recognition sports champions bring.</p>
<p>The other push factor for Kenyan athletes is the sheer number of talented runners jostling for limited opportunities at home. Rules restrict the number of entrants to compete for a nation at most international events, normally to a maximum of three. Such restrictions offer only the best a guarantee of making it into the team. </p>
<p>These factors have contributed to some athletes choosing to run for other countries. </p>
<p><strong>What are some of the other factors attracting Kenyan athletes away from the country?</strong></p>
<p>I discuss these other factors in detail in <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14927713.2012.729787">my research</a>. Certainly, the countries they move to offer better <a href="http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/athletics/Why-athletes-are-switching-allegiance/1100-3348520-15bp7myz/">monetary compensation</a>. These include Bahrain, Qatar, the US, France and the Netherlands. For athletes, whose work-life span is very short, generous compensations outweigh any risks of moving abroad.</p>
<p>Also the right to dual citizenship allows an athlete to run for another country and still have access to all the privileges of being a Kenyan citizen. Most runners who end up in the Middle East do it for <a href="http://deadspin.com/if-youre-a-small-rich-country-you-can-buy-an-olympic-1785302021">short-term monetary benefit</a>.</p>
<p>But those who seek opportunities in Western countries such as the US, France, and the Netherlands do it for <a href="http://www.usatf.org/athlete-bios/bernard-lagat.aspx">longer term goals</a> such as uplifting their families. </p>
<p>Other benefits, attractive especially for young athletes, include the ease with which they are selected to run in global competitions. This translates to guaranteed monetary rewards. Many get more freedom to choose where to train and live. They therefore end up running for a foreign country but continue to live, train and invest in Kenya.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/64347/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Kenya’s international success in track and field hides management inefficiencies and corruption that have frustrated athletes and fed a pipeline of runners willing to ditch the national flagWycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, Professor, Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at TylerLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/352412014-12-12T11:35:28Z2014-12-12T11:35:28ZWho actually funds intercollegiate athletic programs?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/67010/original/image-20141211-6051-2djk54.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Even at major NCAA Division I schools like Alabama, whether or not their athletic programs turn a profit varies by year.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tmurphy0828/15025227428/in/photolist-p7RbYu-oQoU74-oQoTv5-dAd4Q-p5R4zf-oQoSDz-7BaTY1-pMgDke-q2xkPq-oTJfjx-p9bt6N-oTJdDj-pbdsU8-9jYxx-4benRY-oTHzWy-4bamQv-7Uab3u-9jYT4-4bemgN-oqAUh-9jZwc-9jZy3-87CcCP-nZdZpx-oirXMg-ogpmcH-ogv2XN-nZcVZv-ogFJnM-ogv5Km-nZdtyv-ogGdX2-nZcn3P-oisqdc-oeDKdw-nZcr9W-nZcNSd-nZcA3r-oeEceE-ogpLU8-nZdvVe-nZcwiJ-ogpK9K-oistfV-nZcs2q-oeDX2b-nMwA6k-pHEfYZ-oVvaA">Tim Murphy/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Parents, government officials, and tuition-paying students are all seeking solutions to the skyrocketing costs of higher education and the burden of student debt. </p>
<p>Currently, public universities in America are funded in a number of ways: government subsidies, research grants, donations, sponsorships, and, of course, tuition and fee payments. When debating cost-cutting measures, many propose lowering tuition. Typically, ancillary costs – such as the amount of fees students must pay on top of tuition – are ignored. </p>
<p>But according to the Center for College Affordability and Productivity these fees are <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/ccap/2014/11/20/athletic-spending-alert-how-students-are-subsidizing-wannabe-power-house-schools/2/">increasing at rate 13% higher than tuition</a>. </p>
<p>Often the breakdown of these fees (which, at public institutions, can run, on average, an extra $2,000-5,000 per year), is not specific or transparent to the student. Factor in future interest payments for students who are using loans to pay for college, and the costs of these fees to the student can be much higher. </p>
<p>What do these fees fund? Generally, they’re allocated to eight specific areas: health services, student social centers, debt service on student administration and social centers (such as a student union), student government and publications, recreation, cultural programs, and intercollegiate athletics. </p>
<p>By far, the largest student fee is the last – the intercollegiate athletic fee – which can be <a href="http://centerforcollegeaffordability.org/2011/02/04/ignorance-is-not-bliss-regarding-spending-on-athletics/">upwards of 80% of the total fee amount</a> <a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/2010-09-21-student-fees-boost-college-sports_N.htm">at many institutions not in Power Five conferences</a>.</p>
<p>Conventional wisdom says that intercollegiate athletics is a boon to colleges and universities; that it’s wildly profitable; attracts new students; enhances fundraising; and, boosts the university’s profile. Yet these are myths, often perpetuated by the media – and by the universities themselves. </p>
<p>The truth is that very few college athletic programs make a profit; instead, most are heavily subsidized by student fees and other institutional subsidies. Furthermore, these fee amounts aren’t static. They’re <a href="http://centerforcollegeaffordability.org/25-ways/use-fewer-resources/end-athletics-arms-race/">increasing annually</a>. </p>
<p>The costs of maintaining an intercollegiate athletics program at the Division I for-profit level are immense. There’s a vigorous off-the-field arms race for the building the most attractive facilities and bringing in big-name coaches. Then there are travel and recruiting budgets, along with scholarships. These are only a few of the high end costs, and schools like the University of Texas – with outside money flowing in from huge TV contracts, sponsorships, and boosters – can afford to do these things because they have an overall athletic budget in excess of $150 million.</p>
<p>Most MAC schools have athletic budgets barely approaching $20 million and no access to the TV revenue of the major schools – yet are desperately trying to keep up by <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/schools/finances/">charging subsidies</a>. </p>
<p>In addition there is ample empirical research – from the prestigious Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and even from the <a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/empirical_effects_of_collegiate_athletics_interim_report.pdf">NCAA</a> – that challenges the claim that a university’s athletic program is a significant indicator of its worth, profile, or marketability. While there certainly have been tangible and intangible benefits for major NCAA Division I schools like Ohio State and Alabama, whether or not they turn a profit varies by year. Meanwhile, athletic powerhouses like Oregon and Florida State University require institutional subsidies to balance the books and fund their programs.</p>
<p>I recently completed an empirical research study with co-authors Jeff Smith, of the University of South Carolina-Upstate and two Duke University Graduate Students, Jonathan Robe and Dan Garrett. We researched student perceptions of the athletic fee in the Mid American conference (MAC), one of the most highly-subsidized Division I conferences in the NCAA. </p>
<p>The study, due to come out in the January issue of The Journal of Sport, showed that students were largely unaware of these fee amounts, and how much it was allocated for intercollegiate athletics. </p>
<p>The athletic fee wasn’t obvious (in fact, it wasn’t even itemized) on university bills. Furthermore, getting the exact number from MAC institutions proved exasperating. </p>
<p>Considering the total fees assessed to fund athletics at MAC institutions, it’s clear why schools weren’t exactly transparent about the fee. Once the actual fee amount was detailed to the surveyed population of students, over 90% were either against the athletic fee or wanted it substantially lowered.</p>
<p>The University of Alabama at Birmingham recently <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11967626/uab-blazers-shut-football-program">announced</a> that it was going to shut down its Division I football program. In its explanation, the administration outlined the future costs that the university and its students would have to bear just to keep football afloat. </p>
<p>UAB, like a number of schools in the MAC, is never going to be an athletic powerhouse, like its larger sister school, Alabama (in Tuscaloosa). It was going to continue to be an annual, multi-million dollar charge to the school – with its students footing the most of the bill.</p>
<p>While it might be surprising to the college sports fan that college sports is mostly a money losing operation, it’s time to reassess where intercollegiate athletics fits within the skyrocketing costs of higher education. </p>
<p>Is it something that institutions – and more importantly, their tuition-and- fee-paying, debt-incurring students – can afford?</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/35241/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>David Ridpath is affiliated with The Drake Group a non profit organization committed to academic integrity in intercollegiate athletics. <a href="http://www.thedrakegroup.org">www.thedrakegroup.org</a> </span></em></p>Parents, government officials, and tuition-paying students are all seeking solutions to the skyrocketing costs of higher education and the burden of student debt. Currently, public universities in America…David Ridpath, Associate Professor and Kahandas Nandola Professor of Sports Administration, Ohio UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/166092013-08-02T22:19:46Z2013-08-02T22:19:46ZHow much are we prepared to pay for international sporting success?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/28537/original/bt58rsfh-1375413739.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Despite once being seen as an innovative nation in sport and athlete development, Australia has fallen behind the pack in recent times. How can we improve?</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP/Alan Porritt</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The debate surrounding elite sport funding intensified again this week when newly appointed Minister for Sport, Senator Don Farrell, sent a <a href="http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/no-more-blank-cheques-says-minister/story-e6frfkp9-1226688372700">hard and direct message</a> to sport: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>…you have to perform or lose it. The winning-edge concept is real. If you are asking for taxpayers’ money then there has to be an obligation to perform.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Of course, when national sporting organisations receive money for elite sport development, this doesn’t automatically translate into success. So what actually drives success?</p>
<p>One of the major findings of a 16 country international elite sport policy study (<a href="http://www.vub.ac.be/SBMA/sites/default/files/file/Docs%20SBMA/About%20SPLISS.pdf">SPLISS</a> – sport policy factors leading to international sporting success) is that the absolute, not relative, amount of money spent on elite sport by a national government determines the success of nations. </p>
<p>Korea, Japan and France spend more than 200 million euros annually on their national elite sport system. This is followed by Australia in the mid-100 million range. The top four spending nations in the sample of 16 are also the top four performing nations. Yet despite our massive levels of investment, Australia’s performance at the summer Olympic Games has been on a downward slope since a <a href="http://www.topendsports.com/world/countries/australia/sport/events/olympics/medals.htm">record medal haul</a> at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.</p>
<h2>What’s changed since Sydney 2000?</h2>
<p>For the past 30 years, elite (Olympic) sport in Australia has been largely institutionalised. Australia’s poor performance at the 1976 Montreal Olympics was the <a href="http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/about/history">impetus</a> for establishing the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1981. This provided a centralised facility for multi-sport training, expert coaching and streamlined medical and sports science support to athletes. </p>
<p>The success of the institute model resulted in the eight state and territory governments establishing their own high performance institutes and academies of sport between 1989 and 1996.</p>
<p>At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Australia reaped the rewards of its innovative high performance model, by then the envy of many competitor countries. Riding the high from Sydney, the timing seemed right to start transitioning elite sport development back to sport rather than a centralised Canberra-based approach. </p>
<p>Since 2001, the mantra of “sport runs sport” has been integral to government policy and funding. But a lingering question has remained - if government is going to pass the “accountability baton” to sports, how does it ensure they have the capability and capacity to deliver the required performance outcomes?</p>
<h2>So what is the plan?</h2>
<p>A major problem has been that although the Australian government has been providing appropriated funds to elite sport over the last decade, Australia has not been operating a truly nationally aligned elite sport system. It was not until the <a href="http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/1DDA76A44E5F4DD4CA257671000E4C45/$File/Crawford_Report.pdf">2009 Crawford Report</a> that the major system flaws were clearly brought to light. It stated that Australia needed to strengthen its national network and that the role of government was to deliver more effective leadership in elite sport.</p>
<p>It was finally clear that what had worked for Australia in the past (creating state-based institutes of sport) was starting to work against Australia as it spurred duplication and economic inefficiency. With absolute amounts of funding driving success, system efficiency becomes a key driver of future elite success.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/28539/original/y43snw9b-1375415406.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/28539/original/y43snw9b-1375415406.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/28539/original/y43snw9b-1375415406.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/28539/original/y43snw9b-1375415406.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/28539/original/y43snw9b-1375415406.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/28539/original/y43snw9b-1375415406.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/28539/original/y43snw9b-1375415406.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Could the sporting initiatives that once gave Australia so much success now be our Achilles’ heel?</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP/Dean Lewins</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While Australia has had numerous national sport policies relating to “whole of sport” - grassroots to elite - it was not until December 2012 that the first national policy for elite sport <a href="http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/509852/Australias_Winning_Edge.pdf">was created</a>. Australia’s Winning Edge describes a national plan that puts greater onus on national sporting organisations to “get their house in order”. These sporting organisations have greater accountability and responsibility for elite performance. This in turn will be linked to Commonwealth funding as implied by Don Farrell.</p>
<p>While the new Winning Edge plan is about doing things smarter, there is a “bottom line” when it comes to funding ambitious performance targets. For 2012-2022 Australia aims to be in the top five rankings of the Summer Olympics/Paralympics, top 15 in the Winter Olympics/Paralympics, ranked first at the Commonwealth Games, and produce over 20 world champions annually.</p>
<h2>What does it take for Australia to remain competitive?</h2>
<p>In 2008, leading sports policy researcher Veerle De Bosscher and colleagues <a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/sports-policy-factors-leading-to-international-sporting-success-veerle-de-bosscher/prod9781841262284.html">reported</a> on the escalating “global sporting arms race”. Since then, more countries have entered the race and those already competing at the top of the rankings have increased their spending. The net result, according to De Bosscher, is that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>…nations will be required to invest even more just to maintain their success, and standing still means, in effect, going backwards because international success increasingly depends on the actions of rival nations. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>In particular, the BRIC economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China) all have talent pools much bigger than Australia. Russia, the “smallest”, has just over 140 million citizens - nearly seven times the Australian population. </p>
<p>Based on such numbers, Australia should not be a top 10 medal winning nation at the Olympics. But it still is because it had a first mover advantage in focused elite sport systems development. Yet that advantage is quickly evaporating because other nations have copied, pasted and improved on Australia’s example.</p>
<p>Preliminary results from the most recent SPLISS study show that only when small nations like Australia do things more economically and efficiently can success be sustained over time. In Australia’s case this means that talent identification and development, sport systems, technology innovation, sport science, and sport policy research are the keys to ongoing success.</p>
<p>Delivering these key success factors within a unified national elite sports system is the immediate challenge for Australia. But quality forward planning will see Australia once again take the lead in the next cycle of elite sport innovation.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/16609/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Camilla Brockett received funding from the Australian Sports Commission to conduct elite sport policy research.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Hans Westerbeek receives funding from the Australian Sports Commission.</span></em></p>The debate surrounding elite sport funding intensified again this week when newly appointed Minister for Sport, Senator Don Farrell, sent a hard and direct message to sport: …you have to perform or lose…Camilla Brockett, Senior Research Fellow, ISEAL, Victoria UniversityHans Westerbeek, Dean, College of Sport and Exercise Science and Institute of Sport, Exercise, Active Living, Victoria UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.