From sport to health and back again: Investigating the effects of policy change on regional sports trusts

Rebecca Keat

Otago University School of Physical Education

2011

Rebecca Keat: rebecca@keat.co.nz

Mike Sam: mike.sam@otago.ac.nz

Policies aiming to enhance sport participation and physical activity are prone to change and

highly influenced by shifting government priorities. This thesis intended to investigate the

effects, consequences and trade-offs emerging for regional sports trusts (RSTs) brought about

by a narrowing focus within the sector away from promoting health and physical activity, and

by their role in implementing the new Kiwisport initiative. Drawing from Rist’s (1998)

theoretical triad, this research examined the challenges for RSTs in relation to: 1) how a

policy problem is recognised or redefined and, 2) how the inherent assumptions and features

associated with selected policy instruments influence delivery. Given the paucity of

international research examining sport participation policies, this thesis sought to contribute to

understanding the challenges of implementation through a comprehensive account of the New

Zealand context.

Keywords: Regional Sports Trusts, Kiwisport, Policy change

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Qualitative

Physical activity, Recreation, Sport

Young People

Clubs, Community, Schools

Barriers, Benefits, Capability, Delivery, Governance, Impacts - economic, Impacts- social, Management, Participation, Policy

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June 7, 2013