The Politics of Sports Development: Development of Sport or Development Through Sport?

This important new text traces the evolution of sports development in the UK within the context of broader shifts in sport and social policy. It explores the emergence of sports development from the early years of public policy for sport in the 1960's to the present day. Incorporating original material from major case studies of four local authorities and the national governing bodies of hockey, rowing, rugby union and tennis, the book examines the reality of "doing sports development" within this changing social and political policy climate. By showing how sports development policy is made, remade and translated into practice, this book will be essential reading for any student of sport or leisure policy, and for all practicing sports development officers.