Complex Dynamics
Social Media as a Way to Understand the Impact of Informal Sports on Communities: Case Study on the Expansion of Surfing in Maine, USA
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Tracy Michaud
Surf destinations have been mostly found in tropical locations in the past but are increasing in more extreme cold-water climates such as the Maine, USA coast in the North Atlantic. In order for sustainable management around informal sports like surfing to take place, understanding which places are impacted most by these new recreation pursuits, is a way to mitigate issues between communities hosting these activities and those visitors participating.in them. This analysis reviews the contributions social media VGI (Voluntary Geographic Information) mapping techniques in understanding the dynamic between locals and visitors as well as shows the changing density of surfing as it spreads over 20 years along the Maine Coast. It is suggested that this special geographic technique using big data sets can be of value especially for informal sports that don't have ticket sales or formal tracking of participation.
Sporting Dreams on Screen: The Role of Cricket Biopics in Shaping Youth Motivation and Identity
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Maheshwari Harikrishnan, Vijay Kumar Vijayan
The intersection of cinema and sports fandom in India has witnessed a surge in biographical films that celebrate cricketing legends. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016), Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017), and 800 (2023) narrate the lives of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, and Muttiah Muralitharan, respectively, portraying their struggles, triumphs, and contributions to the sport. These biopics play a crucial role in shaping aspirations among Indian youth, who often look to these figures for inspiration. This proposed study examines the impact of these popular films on youngsters in India by analysing how cinematic representations of real-life sporting achievements influence motivation, self-perception, resilience, perseverance, overcoming adversity, and achieving greatness against all odds. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and Social Learning Theory, this proposed research employs a qualitative approach, including focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews with youngsters, film buffs, budding cricketers, film critics, and sports media analysts. The study explores how these films contribute to the formation of personal identity, personality development and goal-related activities. The findings may highlight how sports narratives are localized to inspire youngsters and the role of media in socialization, offering cultural and psychological impact and youth engagement in India.
Why Did They Still Choose to Leave?: The Dilemma of Empowering Elite Women Coaches in post-Paris Era
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ava Xingmeng Huang
Paris 2024 achieved full gender equality on the field of play for the first time in the Olympic history. Gender equality as a global value has been given increasing importance to create a more equal, inclusive, and diverse elite sporting world. There is a question mark that whether the distribution of an equal number of quota places to female and male athletes truly represents gender equality in elite sport scenario. The fact that the number of women holding coaching positions remains remarkably low at the international level can be regarded as a breakthrough point for gender study in sport. This ongoing study is in nature, ontologically critical realist, and epistemologically interpretivist. On the basis of the preliminary findings which thoroughly reviewed the timeline and milestone of the key strategies and initiatives on gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in chronological order for the past three decades in sport world including the Olympics, this research additionally investigates the underlying reasons that why do elite women coaches with successful achievements choose to ‘drop out’ their beloved sporting career and ultimately develop a solid and marketable strategy for more transparent and inclusive policy making and implementation processes with a case study in the non-Western scenario, which is China. The utility is twofold, in practical terms refining gender equality policy and incorporating gender equality progress into an international blueprint, and in academic terms, providing a unique perspective in sport policy and gender research by bridging gender issues with elite sport development.
