Niki Koutrou | University of Kent (original) (raw)
Papers by Niki Koutrou
Local Development & Society
The Olympic Games is a lot more than another commercial brand. Contrary to other mega events, the... more The Olympic Games is a lot more than another commercial brand. Contrary to other mega events, the Games reflect a set of high ideals, along with the opportunity for the countries to be present at a global sporting arena. The goal of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to disseminate those educational and sport-related values to a wide audience. Consequently, its goal is facilitated by the Olympic Games. The Olympic image is recognized and revered worldwide. People associate the Games with values such as determination, excellence, integrity, fair-play, multiculturalism, unity, peace and respect, as suggested by the IOC (IOC, 2008). As the IOC marketing Director, Michael Payne, points out ''There is not a person on our planet who cannot identify with the Olympic Games and what it stands for''. The above statement reflects the universal appeal of the Games and shows why sponsors invest in such an event (Redgate, 2002, p.3). Attracting consumers from diverse backgrounds is a major challenge for multinational companies. Each society's cultural differences, norms and conventions make commercial messages hard to interpret. The Olympic Games present a tremendous opportunity
Sport England, Feb 1, 2017
Sport, Education and Society, 2021
ABSTRACT From grassroots to mega-event level, the sport sector has long-relied on volunteers to f... more ABSTRACT From grassroots to mega-event level, the sport sector has long-relied on volunteers to function effectively. While the nature of sport volunteering varies, scholars have identified that volunteerism is built around characteristics (e.g. altruism, civic participation, acquisition of social capital, personal and professional development) that draw individuals together and contribute to a sense of community. In providing sites for life-skills training, mentoring, coaching, and/or leadership, volunteer communities in sport are also informal and formal learning environments. Notwithstanding research examining learning opportunities within individual volunteer experiences, work remains on articulating the ideological, structural and experiential complexities of volunteering as pedagogical terrain. To illuminate some of these educational nuances, this paper interrogates the experiences of a cohort of regional football volunteers in the United Kingdom. Drawing on spatial theory, we utilise a holistic framework comprising thought, production and action space to understand volunteer communities and opportunities for learning therein. We draw data from questionnaires, and focus groups undertaken with volunteers working in one of the UK’s largest provinces. We contend that football volunteerism comprises a potentially rich context in which an array of learning opportunities exist that can be nurtured and enacted upon over volunteers’ life courses. Educational characteristics of volunteering, or the creation of effective learning communities in the sector are not, however, always guaranteed. Rather, individual and collective investments may be required by both volunteers and supporting organisations. Furthering recent criticisms of the wider sport sector, and beyond affording greater appreciation of volunteer learning, we advocate for a rethink of organisation’s ethical responsibilities and resourcing vis-à-vis educational duties of care and sustainability.
International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 2015
Sports could not survive without volunteers as they are vital to the 'playing of sport'. Voluntee... more Sports could not survive without volunteers as they are vital to the 'playing of sport'. Volunteering in sports is typically associated with sports-club systems or sport events. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of harnessing volunteer activity in different contexts, as a result of previous sports club volunteering experience and to establish what determines the decision to volunteer and to continue volunteering. This is important for government policy, given the current objectives to promote a 'Big Society' and reduce public expenditure. A total of 168 volunteers involved in women's rugby in England completed a web-based survey. Factor analysis was employed to summarise volunteers' satisfaction with their experience. The analysis yielded six reliable factors of volunteers' satisfaction. Regression analysis was then applied to identify which aspects of satisfaction, which motivations, how much previous sports engagement and which socio-demographic characteristics had an impact on actual volunteering for the women's rugby world cup, and future plans for volunteering in a rugby club at a rugby event, or at other sport events. Regression results provide statistical support for the transfer of volunteer efforts across activities. Thus, the UK government may meet its objectives to stimulate a Big Society and widen community engagement through sport volunteering, by acknowledging that social mobility varies between and within sports and is determined by the experiences, interests, motives and characteristics of both the individual volunteers and Voluntary Sport Organisations (VSOs).
The version in the Kent Academic Repository may differ from the final published version. Users ar... more The version in the Kent Academic Repository may differ from the final published version. Users are advised to check http://kar.kent.ac.uk for the status of the paper. Users should always cite the published version of record.
Following the news that the Scottish FA is due to ban under-12s from heading footballs in trainin... more Following the news that the Scottish FA is due to ban under-12s from heading footballs in training sessions, Dr Niki Koutrou (Programme Director for Sport Management) and Dr Geoff Kohe (Lecturer in Sport Management and Policy), have provided comment on how the head contact ban can be seen as a positive movement, yet sport organisations need to act beyond this to safeguard young people.
The purpose of this study is to examine if the experiences of volunteers within women s rugby at ... more The purpose of this study is to examine if the experiences of volunteers within women s rugby at both rugby clubs and at the 2010 Women s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) in England provide the basis for the continuation of such activities as well as the transfer of volunteer effort to event-based or club-based activity within the specific sports concerned or across sports to contribute towards society s broader sporting needs. Sport volunteering in the UK accounts for 26% of the total formal voluntary activity, and largely takes place within the Voluntary Sport Club (VSC) system (Sport England, 2003). It provides the basis for the development of grassroots sports. Sport volunteering also takes place at sport events which provide the foundation for elite level sport development. It is known, however, that if the volunteering experience is satisfying then this may lead to higher levels of commitment with the sports organization, the event or the voluntary cause, which may affect volunteers lon...
Sport clubs in England increasingly rely on volunteers to sustain their operations and reduce the... more Sport clubs in England increasingly rely on volunteers to sustain their operations and reduce the cost of service delivery. It is estimated that sport volunteering in the UK represents 26% of the total volunteering activity (Sport England, 2003). However, recent trends suggest a decline in sport participation and a move towards more flexible, individual activities outside the formal structure of traditional sport clubs (Nichols et al., 2016). This is also associated with a decline in formal volunteering levels. Rugby Union is one of the sports that has experienced a decline in participation rates. In particular, women’s rugby is still a developing sport, that shares volunteers, coaches and playing facilities with traditionally larger male clubs. This case study explores aspects of the volunteering experience that contribute to volunteers’ satisfaction in women’s rugby. Affective and cognitive components of satisfaction have been identified as significant among volunteers in English ...
The hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games was seen as an opportunity to harness the enthusiasm... more The hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games was seen as an opportunity to harness the enthusiasm of the 70000 volunteers involved and to provide a volunteer legacy post event. A total of 77 London 2012 volunteers completed a web-based open-ended survey. The participants were asked to indicate their level of current volunteering engagement and whether volunteering at the Games had an impact on their current volunteering levels. The study found that the London Olympics were the first volunteer experience for most of the volunteers who completed the survey, with the main motivation to volunteer being anything related to the Olympic Games. Just over half of the respondents are currently volunteering.Lack of time is shown to be the main barrier towards further volunteering commitment. Only half of respondents had been contacted by a volunteering scheme post London 2012. The implications of the findings for a potential volunteering legacy are then explored.
Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 2021
Research on role ambiguity suggests its relationship to retention and commitment in business, ind... more Research on role ambiguity suggests its relationship to retention and commitment in business, industry and non-profit settings. The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with perc...
Local Development & Society
The Olympic Games is a lot more than another commercial brand. Contrary to other mega events, the... more The Olympic Games is a lot more than another commercial brand. Contrary to other mega events, the Games reflect a set of high ideals, along with the opportunity for the countries to be present at a global sporting arena. The goal of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to disseminate those educational and sport-related values to a wide audience. Consequently, its goal is facilitated by the Olympic Games. The Olympic image is recognized and revered worldwide. People associate the Games with values such as determination, excellence, integrity, fair-play, multiculturalism, unity, peace and respect, as suggested by the IOC (IOC, 2008). As the IOC marketing Director, Michael Payne, points out ''There is not a person on our planet who cannot identify with the Olympic Games and what it stands for''. The above statement reflects the universal appeal of the Games and shows why sponsors invest in such an event (Redgate, 2002, p.3). Attracting consumers from diverse backgrounds is a major challenge for multinational companies. Each society's cultural differences, norms and conventions make commercial messages hard to interpret. The Olympic Games present a tremendous opportunity
Sport England, Feb 1, 2017
Sport, Education and Society, 2021
ABSTRACT From grassroots to mega-event level, the sport sector has long-relied on volunteers to f... more ABSTRACT From grassroots to mega-event level, the sport sector has long-relied on volunteers to function effectively. While the nature of sport volunteering varies, scholars have identified that volunteerism is built around characteristics (e.g. altruism, civic participation, acquisition of social capital, personal and professional development) that draw individuals together and contribute to a sense of community. In providing sites for life-skills training, mentoring, coaching, and/or leadership, volunteer communities in sport are also informal and formal learning environments. Notwithstanding research examining learning opportunities within individual volunteer experiences, work remains on articulating the ideological, structural and experiential complexities of volunteering as pedagogical terrain. To illuminate some of these educational nuances, this paper interrogates the experiences of a cohort of regional football volunteers in the United Kingdom. Drawing on spatial theory, we utilise a holistic framework comprising thought, production and action space to understand volunteer communities and opportunities for learning therein. We draw data from questionnaires, and focus groups undertaken with volunteers working in one of the UK’s largest provinces. We contend that football volunteerism comprises a potentially rich context in which an array of learning opportunities exist that can be nurtured and enacted upon over volunteers’ life courses. Educational characteristics of volunteering, or the creation of effective learning communities in the sector are not, however, always guaranteed. Rather, individual and collective investments may be required by both volunteers and supporting organisations. Furthering recent criticisms of the wider sport sector, and beyond affording greater appreciation of volunteer learning, we advocate for a rethink of organisation’s ethical responsibilities and resourcing vis-à-vis educational duties of care and sustainability.
International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 2015
Sports could not survive without volunteers as they are vital to the 'playing of sport'. Voluntee... more Sports could not survive without volunteers as they are vital to the 'playing of sport'. Volunteering in sports is typically associated with sports-club systems or sport events. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of harnessing volunteer activity in different contexts, as a result of previous sports club volunteering experience and to establish what determines the decision to volunteer and to continue volunteering. This is important for government policy, given the current objectives to promote a 'Big Society' and reduce public expenditure. A total of 168 volunteers involved in women's rugby in England completed a web-based survey. Factor analysis was employed to summarise volunteers' satisfaction with their experience. The analysis yielded six reliable factors of volunteers' satisfaction. Regression analysis was then applied to identify which aspects of satisfaction, which motivations, how much previous sports engagement and which socio-demographic characteristics had an impact on actual volunteering for the women's rugby world cup, and future plans for volunteering in a rugby club at a rugby event, or at other sport events. Regression results provide statistical support for the transfer of volunteer efforts across activities. Thus, the UK government may meet its objectives to stimulate a Big Society and widen community engagement through sport volunteering, by acknowledging that social mobility varies between and within sports and is determined by the experiences, interests, motives and characteristics of both the individual volunteers and Voluntary Sport Organisations (VSOs).
The version in the Kent Academic Repository may differ from the final published version. Users ar... more The version in the Kent Academic Repository may differ from the final published version. Users are advised to check http://kar.kent.ac.uk for the status of the paper. Users should always cite the published version of record.
Following the news that the Scottish FA is due to ban under-12s from heading footballs in trainin... more Following the news that the Scottish FA is due to ban under-12s from heading footballs in training sessions, Dr Niki Koutrou (Programme Director for Sport Management) and Dr Geoff Kohe (Lecturer in Sport Management and Policy), have provided comment on how the head contact ban can be seen as a positive movement, yet sport organisations need to act beyond this to safeguard young people.
The purpose of this study is to examine if the experiences of volunteers within women s rugby at ... more The purpose of this study is to examine if the experiences of volunteers within women s rugby at both rugby clubs and at the 2010 Women s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) in England provide the basis for the continuation of such activities as well as the transfer of volunteer effort to event-based or club-based activity within the specific sports concerned or across sports to contribute towards society s broader sporting needs. Sport volunteering in the UK accounts for 26% of the total formal voluntary activity, and largely takes place within the Voluntary Sport Club (VSC) system (Sport England, 2003). It provides the basis for the development of grassroots sports. Sport volunteering also takes place at sport events which provide the foundation for elite level sport development. It is known, however, that if the volunteering experience is satisfying then this may lead to higher levels of commitment with the sports organization, the event or the voluntary cause, which may affect volunteers lon...
Sport clubs in England increasingly rely on volunteers to sustain their operations and reduce the... more Sport clubs in England increasingly rely on volunteers to sustain their operations and reduce the cost of service delivery. It is estimated that sport volunteering in the UK represents 26% of the total volunteering activity (Sport England, 2003). However, recent trends suggest a decline in sport participation and a move towards more flexible, individual activities outside the formal structure of traditional sport clubs (Nichols et al., 2016). This is also associated with a decline in formal volunteering levels. Rugby Union is one of the sports that has experienced a decline in participation rates. In particular, women’s rugby is still a developing sport, that shares volunteers, coaches and playing facilities with traditionally larger male clubs. This case study explores aspects of the volunteering experience that contribute to volunteers’ satisfaction in women’s rugby. Affective and cognitive components of satisfaction have been identified as significant among volunteers in English ...
The hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games was seen as an opportunity to harness the enthusiasm... more The hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games was seen as an opportunity to harness the enthusiasm of the 70000 volunteers involved and to provide a volunteer legacy post event. A total of 77 London 2012 volunteers completed a web-based open-ended survey. The participants were asked to indicate their level of current volunteering engagement and whether volunteering at the Games had an impact on their current volunteering levels. The study found that the London Olympics were the first volunteer experience for most of the volunteers who completed the survey, with the main motivation to volunteer being anything related to the Olympic Games. Just over half of the respondents are currently volunteering.Lack of time is shown to be the main barrier towards further volunteering commitment. Only half of respondents had been contacted by a volunteering scheme post London 2012. The implications of the findings for a potential volunteering legacy are then explored.
Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 2021
Research on role ambiguity suggests its relationship to retention and commitment in business, ind... more Research on role ambiguity suggests its relationship to retention and commitment in business, industry and non-profit settings. The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with perc...