In sports, several practices are observed to ensure successful sports development. The practices in question are the strategies laid to achieve the various objectives, the means to use in the application of the strategies and finally the course to be taken in realising the set goal of developing sports. Strategies, therefore, determine the development of sports since it is a practice which determines the process of gaining something, how to achieve it and when it should be achieved (Bucher, 1983). The topic of the discussion, therefore, supports that sports facilities are the major concern in sports development though to some extent there are other factors which can create an effect on sports development even if the facilities are of high standards and readily available.
Sports facilities are a key driving factor in sports development since they play a major role in the development of player programs. This is because, without the availability of resources, there would be no participation or competitions that can take place. Therefore, for sports to develop, there should be continuous development and provision of both indoor and outdoor facilities for players to access them easily and utilise them in the various levels of participation. Through the provision of tennis facilities in Australia, players in the country are therefore able to develop their skills in tennis and at the same time hold tournaments within their country. There is also room for recreation since the facilities are readily available for the players (Cashman, Jobling, Moore, O’Hara, and Vamplew, 1994).
Facilities enable players to train fully in their different levels of participation and at the same time, act as a source of recreation for them. The Squash players of Australia regard the availability of facilities as being useful for them since they are able to participate in the game and attain the desired satisfaction. Other players like those participating in Basketball are able to acquire maximum training since they can access the facilities hence being in a position to represent Australia during the Olympics. Provision of standard facilities contributes to the participation growth of members since many players are always willing to join and participate. These recreational and training facilities, therefore, assist in accomplishing the objectives set in the player development programs (Ryan, 2002).
Technological facilities play a great role in the development of sports since they have contributed to the spectator comfort. An example is when making competition judgements and compilation of results. These kinds of facilities like the photo finish timing machine give accurate results hence deriving satisfaction to both the team players as well as the spectators (Chalip, 1995).
The availability of standard facilities has, therefore, resulted in safer grounds of participation in the various levels of sports. For the players to participate effectively, they need protection gears. This is important, especially for those participating in bike races where they require helmets for protection. Other personal gears for sports, like clothes and shoes, are also essential in sports participation (Bucher, 1983).
Other facilities like venues where competitions take place are another concern in the development of sports. Continued development of venues, therefore, offers players a better position for participating in sports. For instance, the athletes in Australia recommend that the development of athletic facilities to the south within the state has offered them excellent options in future competitions (Ryan, 2002). Those participating in swimming in Australia maintain the view that when participants are offered with an excellent venue for the competition, there is a higher possibility for them to perform successfully (Diving Australia, 2000). The federation of gymnastics in Australia also supports that the venue contributes a lot to the success of the participants. They, therefore, support their view by saying that the facility, which was built for the travelling team was excellent in that it provided supportive services and an outstanding environment for the Gymnastic members (Gymnastics Australia, 2001).
Developed facilities like venues also act as a source of income to the club. Through the well-developed and standardized venue, the attendance of spectators is likely to increase hence increase in the revenue collected. This is illustrated through the club of Squash in Australia where the view is that when they licensed their property due to its growth, they were able to increase their source of revenue to the club (Cashman et al., 1994).
On the contrary, facilities alone are not a major issue in sports development. There are other factors to consider, like coaching programs. Even if there is the provision of facilities without proper coaching, there would be no successful training for the participants because they would not have the necessary skills and this can result to poor performance during competitions hence failure of development in sports. For instance, in Australia, the cricket team cannot survive in the competition without professional coaches and umpires since the environment of cricket is more of a profession than just having the facilities alone (Chalip 1995). The hockey team for women also had the same stand since they argue that junior but professional umpires are boosting the hockey games in performance.
Administration and management of the team contribute greatly to the development of sports. The successful performance of participant in sports does not result from facilities alone but also from proper administration and management of coaches, participants and the facilities. Successful management therefore ensures that there is smooth running of the organizations as well as developed programs to facilitate competitions (Chalip, 1995). The gymnastic club of Australia points out that their success majorly depends on the management of the club, which plays a critical role in coordinating the coaches, judges and the gymnasts (Gymnastics Australia, 2001). The diving group of Australia acknowledges the fact that well run programs for competitions create a better environment for participation hence excellent results (Diving Australia, 2000).
Player development is another practice that helps in the development of sports. The program of identifying talents among participants in the various categories of sports and the program of developing the needs of the members play key roles in the development of sports. The development of members’ needs contribute to the growth of the participants through their increased numbers. Proper identification of talents, contributes to the successful and continuous growth in the participants’ talents hence able to participate in competitions of higher profiles (Cashman et al, 1994). Through successful development of programs catering the issues of players, many people have developed interests in sports hence increased growth in the sports industry (Australian Weightlifting federation, 2000). The benefits that are achieved from these kinds of programs have impact on the development of sports both in Australia as well as in other countries.
The availability of facilities creates the foundation in sports. Through the availability of resources, members are motivated to join the clubs to enjoy the use of the facilities hence growth of membership. Couches are also able to train the participants since they have standard facilities for the trainees to acquire the necessary skills.
References
Australian Weightlifting federation. (2000). Annual report. Hawthorn: Author.
Bucher, C. (1983). Administration of physical education and athletic programme. St., Louis: C.V. Mosby Co.
Cashman, R., Jobling, I., Moore, K., O’Hara, J. and Vamplew, W. (1994). The oxford companion to Australian sport. Melbourne: Oxford University.
Chalip, L. (1995). Policy analysis in sport management. Journal of Sport Management, 9, 1-13.
Diving Australia. (2000). Annual report 1999/2000. Carina: Diving Australia Inc.
Gymnastics Australia. (2001). Annual report 2001. Surrey Hills: Australian Gymnastic Federation Inc.
Ryan, C. (2002). Athletics Australia overhauls boosts performance. Canberra: Australia Sports Commission.