Elite Sport and Sport-for-All

Sport is often perceived as being divided into two separate domains: mass participation and elite . In many countries, policy and funding in these two fields are managed by separate agencies, and investment is often seen as a choice between the two. Elite Sport and Sport-for-All explores the points of connection and sources of tension between elite and mass participation sport. The book's multi-disciplinary and international line-up of contributors seeks to define, examine, and develop solutions to this problematic relationship.

Drawing on research and case studies from around the world-with examples from Denmark, Canada, South Africa and Israel-the book explores key contemporary issues including:

does effective talent identification require depth of participation?

do elite performances inspire greater participation?

the role of the Paralympic movement in mass participation and elite sport;

and the economic aspects of their co-existence.


The first study of its kind, Elite Sport and Sport-for-All addresses a central dichotomy in sport policy and, as such, is important reading for all students, researchers, policy-makers or administrators working in sport development and policy.

Foreword 1. More Fulfilling Lives Through Sport: An Intersubjective Justification for Balancing Elite Sport and Sport for All 2. Elite sports: what is it good for: the case of EYOF Utrecht 2013 3. Arguments and evidence of bridging elite performance and mass participation sports from an economic perspective 4. The question of the trickle-down effect in Danish sport: Can a relationship between elite sport success and mass participation be identified? 5. Two Solitudes: Grassroots Sport and High Performance Sport in Canada 6. The Problem with the Pyramid: why most models of talent development are flawed 7. Opportunities for 'all' versus 'gold' for sport and country: a South African discourse 8. The Paralympic Movement and Sport for All: Elite, Recreational and Inclusive Sport for Development 9. Elite Sport and Sport-for-All: Tales of a Small Country 10. Sexual exploitation in women's sport: Can female athletes respond to it? 11. A Sporting Utopia: easing the essential tension in sport policy