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A 'Fair Go' On The Beach
Citation
Maxwell, H and Edwards, M and Stronach, M and Brown, V, A 'Fair Go' On The Beach, Understanding leisure in a complex world: promoting a critical leisure studies, 4-6 December, 2013, Melbourne, Australia, pp. 36. ISBN 978-0-9806760-7 -5 (2013) [Conference Extract]
 | PDF (Social Inclusion on the beach) Pending copyright assessment - Request a copy 178Kb |
Abstract
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is committed
to being an inclusive organisation open to all
who wish to participate regardless of age,
gender, disability, cultural and linguistic
background or sexual orientation (Surf Life
Saving Australia, 2010). Aspirational values of
equity, social responsibility and volunteerism,
aim to give all people an opportunity for a "fair
go". However the challenge of creating socially
diverse communities within SLSA, by attracting
and retaining participants from diverse
backgrounds, was identified in a recent study
regarding the social impact of SLSA (Edwards,
Onyx, Maxwell and Darcy, 2012). This
research explores how some SLSA members
have implemented inclusive programs for
recent migrants or refugees unfamiliar with
Australian surf conditions, indigenous
Australians and those with various physical
abilities. A survey of surf lifesaving clubs was
deployed, which collected examples of socially
inclusive programs. A total of 29 programs
were described. These included
'migration2surf', 'bush2beach' and special
'Nippers' initiatives. Of the 29 programs, six
were identified as case studies for further
investigation. The case studies comprised
interviews and documentary evidence with key
stakeholders, which were analysed using
Bailey's (2005, 2008) social inclusion
framework, encompassing spatial, relational,
functional and power dimensions. Findings
indicated a range of practices which broke
down barriers, reduced costs, overcame
community anxieties and changed community
perceptions of SLSA. Practices which
facilitated inclusion involved partnerships with
community organisations, deployment of
community champions, developing new skills,
and promoting friendships, social support
mechanisms, and practices, all of which
increased confidence and independence in
participants.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Conference Extract |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Social inclusion, community sport, Surf Life-saving |
| Research Division: | Studies in Human Society |
| Research Group: | Sociology |
| Research Field: | Social Change |
| Objective Division: | Cultural Understanding |
| Objective Group: | Arts and Leisure |
| Objective Field: | Organised Sports |
| Author: | Maxwell, H (Dr Hazel Maxwell) |
| ID Code: | 102447 |
| Year Published: | 2013 |
| Deposited By: | Health Sciences |
| Deposited On: | 2015-08-21 |
| Last Modified: | 2015-08-21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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