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Differences in the sports continuum

Progression

The sports development continuum is often used to identify the pathways for participants to move through as they progress in sport. In order to progress at each stage various organisations and schemes are in place to ensure progression occurs. For example schools and local authorities are primarily involved in introducing young people to sports at foundation (also known as grass roots level) and participation level. They do this by providing links with clubs for continued participation after and outside of school. Whereas the excellence stage the national governing bodies influence the sport and have set up projects such as the World-Class program to develop the elite athletes' for 2010 Winter Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.

Appropriateness

Sports development schemes can be designed around specific factors to cater for target groups, communities and sports. For example a scheme may target females aged 30 - 50 years old who are under represented in physical activity. Or it may be a scheme that is in place for the whole community to get involved e.g. a sponsored walk to raise money for charity.

In terms of sport, the continuum will change depending upon which sport you participate in, for example foundation level will not be the same for a racing driver as it would be a footballer. This is because it is not on the national curriculum and would not be taught as part of the PE curriculum.

The league structure of sports is also different for example a regional structure, such as athletics is different from a county league structure, i.e. football. Therefore a regional level athlete running for East Midlands could be at the excellence level whereas a footballer in a regional league would be performance.

Cross-cutting agendas

This is when schemes focus on more than just sport such as health, education, anti-drugs, anti-crime and regeneration. Through using sport schemes other issues can be targeted to provide awareness.