Evolution of sports

Evolution of Sports

Sport does not only serve as an instrument meant to provide individuals with leisure, entertainment, and a healthy physical shape. At certain moments in time, people saw the opportunity to use sport with the purpose of drawing supporters, given the fact that the masses are well aware of the benefits brought by sport in general. England appeared to be directing its attention towards matters other than sports in the 1970s, especially with the election of Margret Thatcher as British Prime Minister in 1975. In spite of the fact that the British Empire is mainly interested in promoting elite sports, sport has come to be a central activity for the people in it.

England has kept a tradition in displaying reluctance in investing funds in sport oriented programs that do not involve elite sports. The second half of the twentieth century appeared to bring little changes in its first decades, considering that the Conservatives dominated the political scene.

English leaders virtually preferred to invest into programs that would generate finances faster and considered that sport was not among them. However, the public's influence grew and people started to show unwillingness to accept that sport was not a priority for their government. Despite being continuously under attack by government programs, sport development experienced a constant growth in the 80s and 90s.

All across the first two decades of the second half of the twentieth century English citizens believed that it was their government's job to provide them with improved living standards. Even with the fact that the public was particularly interested in sports development, they had little success in increasing its sphere of influence and most of the individuals engaged in the domain were volunteers.

The answer to the prayers of sport fans seemed to have come in 1982, with the implementation of the Action Sport program. It stood as the first official proposal related to sports development in the country. The program brought significant improvements to the sports scene in England and in several other countries neighboring it, considering that it made it possible for numerous people to get jobs and for more professionals to get actively involved in promoting sports.

The Sports Development Continuum plan came as a method to elaborate the concept of sports development. Derek Casey introduced theories relating to Foundation, Participation, Performance, and Excellence, influencing individuals engaged in sports to gain a better understanding of what sport development meant. The plan was later modified so as for people to comprehend the level to which they could participate and assist the domain. It became obvious that none of the principles put across by Casey would have any effectiveness if it were not for the others.