There are two main aims of this module. First, it will introduce students to the sports policy landscape and consider the role of government in shaping the structure of, and managing, the wider sporting environment. This will involve an analysis of historical developments in sport policy as well as considering the current policy environment in the UK.
It will also introduce a number of theoretical perspectives through which sport policy can be analysed as well as consider the structure of sport through the various voluntary, public and private organisations and the role each performs. Students will be made aware of policy changes over the last thirty years and the increasing importance of sport to governments especially in relation to increasing participation, improving performance and promoting health as well as mobilizing sport in the service of international development.
The second aim of the module is to focus on the impact of sport policy on the organisational governance of sport organisations – the way that sport organisations are directed and controlled from a UK and international perspective. There has been an increased policy focus on governance, demonstrated by the launch of the Code for Sports Governance in 2016. Students will be made aware of the governance of sport organisations with a particular focus on the board and key aspects such as board structure, diversity, and culture.