A Cross-National Comparative Perspective on Sport Clubs in Europe

Abstract

This book presents an up-to-date portrait of the characteristics of sport clubs in various European countries and their role in society and the national sport system. Furthermore, it offers a cross-national comparative perspective of sport clubs in twenty European countries. Containing both empirical data and information on the political and historical backgrounds of sport clubs, the book is organized in three parts. First, the authors provide an overview of the theoretical approach of the book and a description of the framework used for the country chapters. Second, the country chapters, written by experts within the field, provide a systematic overview of the available information on sport clubs in each country. These chapters are structured to answer the following questions: (1) What is the position of sport clubs within the national sport structure? (2) Which role do they fulfil in policy and society? (3) What are their basic characteristics and what factors influence the development of sport clubs? The book is concluded with a systematic comparison of the participating countries with the purpose of forging a clear link between the functioning of policy systems, observed problems, and possible solutions, and with a future research agenda on sport clubs. In an era of increased collaboration between European states, sport provides a natural vehicle through which to compare changes in culture, economics, and policy across nations. Sport Clubs in Europe will appeal to scholars of nonprofit management, sports management and sports sociology as well as administrators and policy makers in the international sports community. Preface; Acknowledgement; Contents; Chapter 1: Introduction; 1.1 Sport Clubs in a Changing Europe; 1.2 Aim of the Book; 1.3 Framework for an International Comparison; 1.4 Structure of the Book; References; Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Historical Roots: Characteristics of Sport Clubs as Voluntary Organisations; 2.3 Sports and Sport Clubs in Transition; 2.3.1 A Changing Social Role for Sports: Increasing Expectations of Sport Clubs; 2.3.2 Sport Clubs Between Tradition and Ambition: Research Topics; 2.4 Sport Clubs and Society: Research Approaches. 2.4.1 Sociological Approaches; 2.4.1.1 Sport Clubs as Social Systems; 2.4.1.2 Sport Clubs as Corporative Actors and a Multilevel Framework; 2.4.1.3 Sport Clubs as Organisations of the Third Sector; 2.4.2 Economic Approaches; 2.4.2.1 Sport Clubs from an Economic Perspective; 2.4.2.2 Sport Clubs from a Financial Perspective; 2.5 Towards a Multilevel Framework for the Comparison of Sport Clubs in Different Countries; References; Chapter 3: Sport Clubs in Austria; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 History and Context; 3.2.1 Umbrella Sport Associations. 3.2.2 Sport Clubs Within the National Sport Structure in Austria; 3.3 Role of Sport Clubs in Policy and Society; 3.3.1 Number of Sport Clubs and Club Members; 3.3.2 Socio-Demographic Features of Members of Sport Clubs; 3.3.3 Social Significance of Sport Clubs; 3.3.4 Finance; 3.4 Characteristics of Sport Clubs; 3.4.1 Size; 3.4.2 Activities; 3.4.3 Finance; 3.4.4 Professionalisation; 3.4.5 Bottlenecks and Challenges; 3.5 Consensual Sport Organisation in Austria; 3.6 Conclusion; References; Chapter 4: Sport Clubs in Belgium; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 History and Context. 4.3 Role and Position of Sport Clubs in Policy and Society; 4.4 Characteristics of Sport Clubs; 4.4.1 Structural Characteristics; 4.4.2 Sport Provision; 4.4.3 Members; 4.4.4 Staff and Volunteers; 4.4.5 Financial Situation; 4.4.6 Role and Perceived Responsibilities of Sport Clubs; 4.5 Sport Clubs as Future Health Promoters; 4.6 Conclusion; References; Chapter 5: Sport Clubs in the Czech Republic; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 History and Context; 5.3 Origin of Sports Clubs; 5.4 Role of Sport Clubs in Policy and Society; 5.4.1 Troubles with the Registration of Members and Clubs. 5.4.2 National Data on Sport Club Participation (by Age Group, Sex, et cetera); 5.5 Societal, Political Embedding; 5.5.1 Revenue Structure of the Clubs' Budgets; 5.5.2 Cooperation with Municipality; 5.6 Conclusion; References; Chapter 6: Sport Clubs in Denmark; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 History and Context; 6.3 Role of Sport Clubs in Policy and Society; 6.3.1 Societal, Political Embedding; 6.4 Characteristics of Sport Clubs; 6.5 Specific Topic: Social Capital; 6.6 Conclusion; References; Chapter 7: Sport Clubs in England; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 History and Context; 7.2.1 Origin of Sport Clubs.