Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal Volume 2 | Page 48

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2018, Vol. 2
Book Review:
Managing and
Developing
Community
Sport
Book by: Rob Wilson and Chris Platts (Edited)
Reviewed by: Ann-Marie Bunyan,
UK Coaching
Managing and Developing Community Sport
(Wilson and Platts, 2018) provides an overview
of the theory and practice of community-level
sports management and development. The textbook
provides a historical, sociological, political and
contemporary overview of community sport, and
explores how the way in which sport and physical
activity, which is developed and managed in the
community, can meet the needs of communities.
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The book is divided into three sections:
• Part I: Contextualising community sport and
physical activity, which introduces the reader to
this landscape.
• Part II: Contemporary issues in community
sport and physical activity, which outlines the
key issues and challenges faced by those who
work in community sport, at various levels
and contexts.
• Part III: Functions and operations in community
sport and physical activity, which explores the
leadership and management features that are
required for effective community leadership
and management.
Although the book should ideally be read in its
entirety, each chapter is stand-alone. This makes it
easy to read each chapter as and when one desires.
Each chapter provides case studies of ‘real life’
examples, helping the reader to understand not
only the underlying theory, but also ‘best practice’
in approaching sport and physical activity in the
community. Each chapter includes review
questions which allows the reader to reflect on
their learning throughout.
Although this textbook is mainly intended for
sports management practitioners or students, it
can also be useful for community coaches. For
example, what might be of interest is the chapter on