(From E
book – Hoye, R., Nivholson, M., Westerbeek, H., Smith, A.,Stewart, B. (May 23, 2012,
Sport Management; Taylor & Francis, Hoboken, ISBN: 9780080943206)
· Sports management is a broad
term. It encompasses similar management techniques, theories, strategies as
other business organisations but is different in nature due to the unique
features of sport itself. Sports Managers need business skills and industry
specific knowledge and experience (Hoye et al, 2012).
· Stewart & Smith (1999) listed
10 unique features of sport management, including the irrational passion
that can surround sport, conservative nature and traditions in sport, as well
as the competitive balance required to sustain sporting enterprise.
· There are 3 different sectors
involved with sport in Australia. (1) Government/state or Public (2) Non-Profit
Organisations or specialists (3) Professional or commercial. There is
significant overlap amongst these areas. (Hoye et al, 2012).
· Governments have a major
role/impact/influence on the way sport is produced, consumed and managed.
Sports is a vehicle for nationalism, economic and social development. (Hoye et
al, 2012).
· There is increasing professionalization
of sport; sport management is now seen as both an academic discipline as well
as a professional career. (Hoye et al, 2012).
KEY IDEA:
Overlap amongst the 3 sectors of sport management:
Looking
specifically at the game of Squash is one way of examining how the 3 sectors of
sport management (Government, Non-profit and Professional organisations) are intertwined.
The government organisation, Australian Sports
Commission, provides financial support and other assistance to Non-profit
organisations like Squash Australia and other affiliated State
organisations such as Q Squash. The 2011 Squash Annual Report
concludes that the Australian government is investing $300 million to support
the full spectrum of sports from beginners to elite athletes in 2011-2012. “Squash is now
recognised as
a ‘Priority’
sport by the Australian Government…” (O’Donnell, 2011, p.11). This course of action has provided non-profit
organisations like Squash Australia
and Q Squash the ability to increase
production of player squads, elite coaching staff, and a state of the art
facility at University of Queensland, St Lucia.
