Still playing the game at arm's length? The selective re-investment in British sport, 1995–2000

Abstract

The paper critically reviews and evaluates British sport policy and governance structures that have influenced the national sport policy community in the past decade. The review primarily draws on work underlying neo-pluralist perspectives as well as developing the notions of power and authority to aid understanding of the changing power relations and ideologies influencing sport policy development. Two policy issues are considered in detail: the establishment and distribution policies of the National Lottery, and elite sport initiatives. It is argued that the period since 1995 represents a distinct period of 'selective re-investment' in British sport with subtle changes in emphasis, post– 1998 following the influence of the New Labour administration. It is also suggested that the nature of government intervention in sport is changing despite recent rhetoric that the 'arm's length' principle is being maintained.