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Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall…
read moreAn RMIT leading expert in sports marketing, Associate Professor Con Stavros, highlights the importance of sport has been re-classified during the COVID-19 pandemic with its future uncertain.
Assoc Prof Stavros suggests that “sport may no longer be playing the important social function it has in the past and the future looks uncertain, at least for the time being.
“Sport isn’t fractured or bruised, it’s scarred. And while scars can heal, they can also fester and cause further damage. That is the crossroad of where sport is right now.
“Bill Shankly, a former Liverpool manager famously said ‘Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.’ Perhaps, when truly tested, we’ve discovered this isn’t the case.
“Routines and ritualistic practices are what drive fandom, and in turn sport. Once these rituals and routines evaporate – both at the elite and community level - the power of sport to culturally and socially intertwine itself in our lives dissipates.
“Bubbles might allow a sport to be played out, but they don’t bring fans along on the journey in the same way.
“The same goes for community sport where training nights and gameday weekends have been disrupted, forcing families to rethink priorities.
“Will people return at all? Perhaps from three sports a week it becomes one as new habits in family groups are formed.”
Assoc Prof Stavros adds “in many areas volunteers, the lifeblood of community sport, are exhausted from stop-starts and managing their own lives through the pandemic.
“One approach for community sport will be to transform seasons into small batches to provide the flexibility to move, stop, start and rearrange as may be needed.
“For emerging sports, such as the AFLW, the exciting growth of recent years is now under pressure.
“For Victoria, the pressure on sport has been especially intense given the protracted impact of government-imposed restrictions.
Assoc Prof Stavros advises that government will need to look ahead to its calendar of major events and assess which events can realistically proceed, and how adding “while most events can function under some realignment, an event such as the Australian Grand Prix must be under some pressure given its costs to stage and its reliance on interstate and international travel.”
Assoc Prof Stavros has published numerous books and articles on sport and is the editor of the international journal 'Sport, Business & Management'.
26th October 2020 - Consultation commences on Tasmanian Events Framework to support arts, events, sport and tourism sectors
23rd October 2020 - Tasmania’s Women in Sport Coaching Scholarship applications open
22nd October 2020 - Western Australian Government supports regional sporting events with $85,000 funding
20th October 2020 - New netball centre first facility completed at Gold Coast’s Pimpama Sports Hub
17th October 2020 - Darwin’s updated lighting project at Bagot Oval allows sport to be played in cooler evenings
16th October 2020 - Sunshine Coast community and sporting organisations receive financial boost
16th October 2020 - Mt Barker aquatic and sport facility gets extra $5 million in funds from Federal Budget
16th October 2020 - City of Whittlesea encourages women and girls to play sport
15th October 2020 - Sport administrators and elite level competitions receive support from Tasmanian Government
15th October 2020 - Fremantle Park Sport and Community Centre officially opens
14th October 2020 - Young athletes benefit from expanded Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program
8th October 2020 - Plans approved for $350 million sport, health and wellness tourism destination on Victoria’s Surf Coast
8th October 2020 - Global Wellness Institute reports Asia-Pacific having largest economic growth in fitness, sport and recreation sectors
7th October 2020 - Federal Budget includes ongoing commitment to Sporting Schools program
1st October 2020 - Global sports survey shows impact of COVID-19 pandemic
28th September 2020 - New Zealand welcomes return of international sporting events
28th September 2020 - New sports facilities to be constructed at Penrith’s Mark Leece Sportsground
27th September 2020 - Sport NZ encourages people to get out and exercise
24th September 2020 - Hawke’s Bay community anticipates economic gains from sport event hosting
18th September 2020 - Wyndham City Council announces plans for new elite training and community sports facility
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