Accountability under the coach-athlete relationship in sport

Abstract

Over the past decades sport has changed dramatically with regard to, amateurism to professionalism, the abolition of racial segregation in sport, equality in sport on all levels, media coverage of sport; just to mention a few. Athletes have become bigger, stronger and quicker, including the impact of science, technology and training in sport. The revolutionising of sport has put immeasurable pressure on stakeholders involved in sport, such as sports organisations and federations, sports committees, coaches, agents, managers, sponsors, the media and the diversity of sports stakeholders and athletes. This evolution has initiated stringent measures to control and regulate the existing laws in sport by sports governing bodies. Sports bodies have to adapt and be alert to newly formed legislation relating to the sport they are associated with, to satisfy the new demands amidst the rapid growth of sport. The challenge will be to implement practical and functional policies and/or new laws. The appointment of competent people (who accept these new responsibilities to regulate and develop the sporting culture) can be problematic and good corporate governance is vital. In this study the main focus is on the coach-athlete relationship, the liability and implementation thereof. It also refers to how other countries have successfully promulgated policies and other initiatives to advance the interests of sport, especially to the welfare of children and women, and the prevention of sexual abuse. It further suggests practical procedures that can be followed, such as training programs and the monitoring thereof. Most people around the world acknowledge that children are the future of our sport and should be protected against all odds. Without any dispute, most people worldwide will also agree that there is a problem relating to sexual abuse (especially young girls and boys) in the realm of sport.