Sport Driving the Culture of Society

We are all aware of the need to establish a winning culture in sport to achieve optimal performance, but it should also be considered that sport can affect the culture in a society. This is not a new concept; studies have indicated that sport can incite such a wave of positivity in the culture of a community that permanent change for the better can be promoted.

Sport contributes to community building; people gathering in support of their ‘team’. Sport has the capability to make fundamental inroads into the major issues in society today; gender inequality, pay disparity, racial intolerance, for example could be positively affected by the mutual enjoyment of sports whether as players or as spectators.

When seeing the huge crowds at Olympic Games venues, its possible to envision an ideal platform to engage with a massive proportion of the world’s society. Here is a prime example of the ultimate classroom to instil positive cultural change. Inclusivity, humanity, and goodwill, an opportunity to start a movement that goes beyond the sport and into the communities and the homes of the world.

In Australia, the ‘religion’ of sport has been built on the spirit of hard work, honesty, mateship, and a fair amount of larrikinism. Australians admire displays like John Landy risking his world record attempt to help fallen competitor Ron Clarke in the 1956 World Athletic Championships. Tennis ace Pat Cash scrambling into the stands to claim his prize at Wimbledon contrary to the Royal rules. Adam Gilchrist calmly walking when he ‘edged a catch’ in the 2003 Cricketing World Cup semi-final when no one else knew, even the umpire. “This was Gilchrist’s match, not for what he did with bat or gloves but for his decision to walk, which astonished everyone unused to such Australian magnanimity,” – Wisden. Australia’s (then) Prime Minister Bob Hawke famously declaring that any boss sacking someone taking a ‘sickie’ after the Aussie America’s Cup victory would be a “bum”. The ultimate test though – does this translate into the culture in society and for a large part at this stage, the answer would sadly be no, not in any lasting capacity.

This puts coaches in the driving seat of societal influence as much as political leaders and given this power they have an obligation to focus as much on the culture inherent in their team as in their successful performance – quite a weighty responsibility.

In our human society, sport can foster integrity and morality, health and vitality. Being involved, as a player, an administrator, or a spectator, one can learn that there need not be barriers in terms of social, political, and ethnic aspects.

“Sports helps the society to foster a mindset that no matter what one can always conquer over any hurdle by having a positive approach towards it. Sports is great way of showing the society that socio-economic status of a person doesn’t define anyone, their compassion defines them. Sports also plays a crucial role in uplifting a nation’s economy. The world of sports plays a significant role in building a healthier society by bringing people from all walks of life together.” – Sarbjit Singh 

Influence of sports on human society (loveequals.net)

Great World Cup Moments: Gilchrist walking in the 2003 semi-final (espncricinfo.com)