Managing a confederation of rivals

This case highlights sport development issues within a free market environment where natural rivals compete for scarce resources (i.e., athletes). Set in a fictional environment of sport clubs grappling with the development of a network of clubs and coaches to support the growth of youth sport in the area, the case explores the challenges of two independent levels of policy-making – national and grassroots levels – for increased participation and elite development. At the national level, policy strategies and participation proliferation are best served when organizations work together; however, this becomes a challenge when organizations that implement these policies at the grassroots level compete for scarce resources. The resulting natural rivalries must be properly managed to meet larger objectives for growth. The case encourages students to consider the theoretical and practical issues for sport development at the grassroots and national level.