OCR A-Level PE sport and society: a complete overview of Component 03 Section A

What this section demands

Sport and society is Section A of Component 03. It is the social history and structure of sport: where modern sport came from, who can take part, how it became global, and the ethics that run through it. The exam rewards precise knowledge and, in the 20-mark essay, balanced, applied argument that reaches a judgement, often by linking these themes together. This overview ties the dot-point pages together.

The emergence of modern sport

Pre-industrial popular recreation (mob football) was local, with simple, varied, unwritten rules, occasional, violent and class-divided. Rationalisation made sport ordered, codified and regular, driven by urbanisation (loss of space, a free Saturday), the public schools (written rules, athleticism, the spread by old boys) and the national governing bodies. See the emergence of modern sport page.

Sport and social factors

Women, ethnic minorities, disabled people and lower social classes face barriers to participation and equal opportunity: lower coverage and pay and stereotyping; discrimination and stacking; attitudinal, structural and financial barriers; and cost, time and access. Inclusion is promoted by accessible provision, campaigns, role models, parasport and legislation. See the sport and social factors page.

The globalisation of sport

Sport has become global through the media, sponsorship, migration and travel. Hosting a global event brings benefits (tourism, regeneration, profile, legacy) and costs (expense, debt, white elephants, disruption), so the impact depends on planning. Sport is now a global commodity and a tool of politics. See the globalisation of sport page.

Ethics and deviance

Amateurism and the Olympic ideal value fair play for its own sake. Sportsmanship upholds the spirit of the game; gamesmanship bends it within the rules; negative deviance breaks them. The win-at-all-costs (Lombardian) ethic, fuelled by commercialisation, drives deviance, countered by codes, technology, punishment, education and role models. See the ethics and deviance in sport page.

Check your knowledge

Attempt these, then check the solutions.

1. Give three characteristics of pre-industrial popular recreation. (3 marks)
2. Define rationalisation. (1 mark)
3. Name the three types of barrier disabled people face in sport. (3 marks)
4. State two factors that have globalised sport. (2 marks)
5. Distinguish sportsmanship from gamesmanship in one sentence. (2 marks)