Contemporary Issue within Sport
Evaluate and reflect upon one major challenge that sport is facing in the modern world?
Wordcount 1600. Identify major issue and break it down stage by stage.
Title
When Athlete Identity becomes an Issue
Introduction – general on what will be addressed within the paper (150 words approx.)
Introduction of the issue – Aim of paper i.e., to investigate the negatives and positives of a ‘Strong Athletic Identity. Start with how this strong Identity has been formed (family, friends, coaches, environment). Define Identity and give brief outline of how it is connected to social Identity, which can lead to strong athletic identity dependant on these previously stated factors. (150 words)
Issue 1
Look at how personal identity perception of self and others perception of the athlete, creates the need to live up to expectations to hold onto their high-profile status. How balance needs to be achieved, but often is not. (300 words)
Issue 2
The additional pressures and effects of time spent on maintaining this disproportional predominant identity through i.e., injury, pandemic, retirement, and family issues. The feelings of failure when they feel losing this identity. (300 words)
Issue 3 – see additional notes
How the aspects afore mentioned can have a detrimental effect on the athlete’s mental wellbeing, which in turn can affect their behaviour. Give some examples of people in sport where they relied on their athletic identity and could not see that they could be more than just an ‘athlete’. As a counter point look at athletes who have used their success and profile as athletes to successfully forge a new identity both within and beyond sport. (300 words)
Conclusion (400 words)
Summarise findings from the literature, ensuring to re-iterate how this sporting issue needs addressed for the future of both sport and their athletes. This is a chance to reflect.
