Keith D Parry

Towards the Development of an Interactive 3D Coach Training Serious Game

Today serious games, i.e. software applications developed with game technology and design principles for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment, include games used for educational, persuasive, pedagogical, political, or health and training purposes. This paper describes the work-in-progress development of an interactive 3D training application generated using components of the Unreal game engine that facilitate the learning of various fundamental coaching methods via the interactive completion of a variety of interrelated tasks. Apart from highlighting the contribution and innovation of this approach, a synopsis of the coach training content of the serious game and its purpose is also presented here, as well as an architecture overview of the implementation of the prototype application. Finally, future directions for the completion and evaluation of this serious game are also discussed.

Game of two passions: a football fan's autoethnography

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of autoethnography within the context of sports fandom. This paper advocates the use of such qualitative methodologies to enable a greater understanding of sports fans. The paper also aims to provide greater understanding of sports fandom.Design/methodology/approach – The research moves away from traditional methodologies of studying sports fandom from an objective viewpoint and uses an evocative autoethnography to provide an account of the lived experience of a sports fan.Findings – By writing himself into his research it has been possible to gain a deeper insight into sports fandom. The subject of passion arises and while the Dualistic Model of Passion was explored as a mechanism for dealing with obsessive passion it is suggested that attempting to move away from a state of obsessive passion may diminish the enjoyment of being a sports fan.Practical implications – This paper highlights the benefits that methodologies such as autoethnography can h...

Who ate all the pies? The importance of food in the Australian sporting experience

Abstract Australians watch live sport in large numbers and traditionally consume high quantities of meat pies, chips and beer within stadiums. However, the food and beverage preferences of stadium-attending Australian sports fans are not well understood, particularly in comparison to their North American and European peers. This paper utilized a survey-based approach to understand the satisfaction of fans of Australia’s national Rugby Union team with stadiums in Australia. While food and beverage offerings were found to be a particular point of dissatisfaction, the price and service quality were found to be of greater concern than the healthiness of these. The study also drew on the researchers’ observations and knowledge of recent Australian stadium redevelopments to examine how the traditional offerings may be changing. We conclude that in order to attract greater attendances from a wider market, stadiums in Australia need to provide more varied, higher quality, healthy food and beverage offerings that are both affordable and easy to eat.

Research methods in sport studies and sport management: a practical guide

The aim of Research methods in sport studies and sport management: a practical guide is to provide a practical, comprehensive introduction to social research within the setting of sport. The book t...