Local Policymaking in Sport: Sport Managers’ Perspectives on Work Processes and Impact

Abstract

In this study we sought a better understanding of the development and functioning of local sport policy, from the perspective of local sport managers (LSMs). Local sport budgets in the Netherlands continue to be allocated mainly to sport facilities (85% of sport budgets), despite increasing interest in the instrumental value of sport, particularly to achieve health and welfare objectives. This seems to produce somewhat of a mismatch between wider policy discourse and local sport policy. We studied LSMs’ perspectives on recent changes in sport policy, and how these relate to changes in the environment (from a socio-ecological perspective), alongside LSMs’ actual practices, policy values and personal beliefs regarding effective sport policy and social impact. For this purpose we conducted nine semi-structured interviews with LSMs from different municipalities in the Netherlands. This was to illuminate ‘the walk’ in local sport policy, rather than only ‘the talk’ (i.e., the line set out in policy documents). We conclude that the day-to-day work of LSMs was indeed influenced by developments in the broader environment (particularly, austerity measures, organizational restructuring and changed national policies and related discourses). However, the focus of LSMs’ activities remained on ensuring a good sport facility infrastructure, as a necessary precondition to utilize the instrumental value of sport. The LSMs expressed a belief in the goodness of sport and tried to ‘sell’ this to other departments. Yet, they exhibited little critical reflection on (preconditions for) effective sport policy and the need for policy monitoring and evaluation.