Citizenship, civil society and the sport and recreation professions

Abstract

This paper examines the interrelationship of civil society, citizenship, and the sport and recreation professions. It is argued that the initial enthusiasm for professionalization that followed the publication of the Yates Report in 1984 rapidly waned in the face of a series of governments antagonistic towards professions in general. It is also argued that a significant effect of privatization on sport and recreation managers was to encourage many to abandon professionalization in favour of managerialization. However, it is argued that in the last five years, particularly since the election of the Labour government has created conditions where a re-consideration of the value of professions and professional status is required. Of particular importance is the government's concern to encourage active citizenship and a vigorous civil society. It is argued that as a source of empowerment for citizens and as institutions of civil society in their own right sport and recreation professions have a significant contribution to make. The paper concludes that if professionalization is to be revived it should not be the remote professionalism of the past that is aspired to but a form of civic professionalism that locates professions and professionals firmly within the communities that they serve and of which they are a part.