MGT2SPF Government Sport Policy Analysis - Assignment Solution

Policy Area 1 - Elite Sport & Sport Pathways

Talent identification and programs are essential for development of elite sports persons (Bosscher, Shibli, Westerbeek & Bottenburg, 2016). The policy problem in Elite Sport and Sport pathways was that it was a systematic talent identification system, which selected and developed the individuals and focused only on producing winning elite sports persons through intensive training, facilities and sports science programs and talent identification (Sotiriadou & Shilbury, 2009). This policy affected range of sports enthusiasts, parents and the community as only few best individuals who were very good at sports got the opportunity to get trained and play at Olympics and the focus was only on gaining more medals (Bosscher et al., 2016). The Federal government and the community sport association  believed that elite sport system can prosper only when there is a strong talent base that is built from a younger age. The policy that was implemented to address the policy problem included involving junior and community sport in identifying talent and training them to increase the pool from which the elite athletes or sports persons can be drawn (Sotiriadou & Shilbury, 2009). The policy emphasizes on expanding the focus and recognizing everyone’s involvement  in the physical activities, which provides many kinds of rewards besides winning medals. The policy was implemented through the resources and skills of policy developers. In the elite sports, community participation was introduced as it meets many objectives rather than just gaining medals such as developing basic skills and healthy discipline in young children, contributing to better health and prevention of chronic disease across all segments and promoting inclusive and engaged community. 

Policy Area 2 – Sport Participation & Junior Sport

In junior sports, there are two forms of junior sport, which are informal, player-controlled spot and the other one is formal and adult controlled (Australian Government, 2010). The policy of organized junior sport had a financial component, which required families and communities to pay for clothing, fees, insurance, registration and travel (Shilbury, Sotiriadou & Green, 2008). The competitive opportunities ranged through local club competitions opportunities through state, national and international have to be financed by parents. Financing became the responsibility of families along with increased need of parental involvement (Government of Western Australia, 2019). This led to reduction in participation in junior sports and participation increased in non-traditional activities, such as skateboarding, skating, BMX riding and snowboarding. This affected the children, parents, sports organizations ad it provided reduced opportunity to develop future sports enthusiast from grass root level and developing the skills at later stage became difficult (Shilbury et al., 2008). Local governments are introducing policy that ensure junior sporting teams are provided the access to active recreation areas without any charge, recognition and support for junior athletes and sporting clubs (Government of Western Australia, 2019). The governments have implemented policy to provide small grants to individual players who are selected in state of national teams (Australian Government, 2010). The policy also involves community fund establishment that provides one-off grants for equipment and any initial costs for junior sport groups to enhance the participation among juniors (Nicholson, Hoye & Houlihan, 2011). The resource and skills used to implement policy was effective engagement with the community and allocating more funds to encourage juniors to participate in mainstream sports (Government of Western Australia, 2019). The factors that policy has addressed helps in overcoming the problem of financial constraint and need for parental involvement.