Processes of change in the organisation of gymnastics in Denmark - from community to commercialism

TY - ABST

T1 - Processes of change in the organisation of gymnastics in Denmark - from community to commercialism

AU - Jensen, Andorra Lynn

AU - Ottesen, Laila

AU - Thing, Lone Friis

N1 - CURIS 2018 NEXS 219

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - The national Danish sport organisations (DGI and DIF) are increasingly expected to take co-responsibility for the state’s welfare tasks (Brandsen & Pestoff, 2006; Thing & Ottesen 2010), and this is reflected in the way these organisations are run. From a figurational perspective (Elias, 1978, 1994) the organisation of sport in Denmark is particularly interesting as the interdependences between state and civil society has had and still has a clear impact on the development of sports (Ottesen, 2016). The relationship between state, market and civil society in the form of gymnastic culture is complex and is always in the process of change. Around 1900 gymnastic culture was tied to the state formation, and currently it plays a part in a world where the welfare state is under pressure from global currents (Kaspersen, 2013). The Danish model of sport is challenged in a world where there is an increased focus on marketisation, consumerism, and being able to compete economically (Pedersen, 2011). Research question: How is Danish gymnastics developing in the sphere of state, market, and civil society, and what consequences does this have for the different forms of community? Methodically this question is examined by means of interviews, observations, and document analysis relating to the case ‘DGI Landsstævne’ (the largest national Danish gymnastics and sport festival). Results indicate that a group of gymnastics participants have the experience that several of the new initiatives at the DGI Landsstævne have consequences that affect the figuration especially in terms of the sense of community.

AB - The national Danish sport organisations (DGI and DIF) are increasingly expected to take co-responsibility for the state’s welfare tasks (Brandsen & Pestoff, 2006; Thing & Ottesen 2010), and this is reflected in the way these organisations are run. From a figurational perspective (Elias, 1978, 1994) the organisation of sport in Denmark is particularly interesting as the interdependences between state and civil society has had and still has a clear impact on the development of sports (Ottesen, 2016). The relationship between state, market and civil society in the form of gymnastic culture is complex and is always in the process of change. Around 1900 gymnastic culture was tied to the state formation, and currently it plays a part in a world where the welfare state is under pressure from global currents (Kaspersen, 2013). The Danish model of sport is challenged in a world where there is an increased focus on marketisation, consumerism, and being able to compete economically (Pedersen, 2011). Research question: How is Danish gymnastics developing in the sphere of state, market, and civil society, and what consequences does this have for the different forms of community? Methodically this question is examined by means of interviews, observations, and document analysis relating to the case ‘DGI Landsstævne’ (the largest national Danish gymnastics and sport festival). Results indicate that a group of gymnastics participants have the experience that several of the new initiatives at the DGI Landsstævne have consequences that affect the figuration especially in terms of the sense of community.

M3 - Conference abstract for conference

SP - 14

T2 - The 2018 Annual Conference of the International Sociology of Sport Association

Y2 - 5 June 2018 through 8 June 2018

ER -