Heather Mair - University of Waterloo, SRG 2006
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Project Summary
The main objective of this research was to understand the role of curling clubs in rural Canadian life. It aimed to deepen and broaden our understanding of the role of leisure and sport settings in community development by studying the rural curling club. Specifically, it sought to: (1) explore the functions of these clubs as sport and community places over time; (2) examine the roles the clubs play in rural life and assess the challenges and opportunities they face; (3) observe and document the club year-round as well as community-based activities in the facility; (4) understand how these functions and meanings differ across communities and the country; (5) determine how rural curling clubs are community spaces to be understood within the broader contexts of rural and social change; (6) develop and refine new research approaches designed to best capture the complex interactions in these sport settings.
Thus far, it can be concluded that curling clubs are central places in small communities and have some combination of the following six characteristics:
- Sources of regular physical activity and life-long social connections
- Part of community identity
- Sites of pride, history, commitment and ownership
- Founded upon volunteerism
- Platforms for valued family time and activity
- ‘A gathering place’ for the community
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SCRI 2009 Presentation Slides
While considerations of the role of sport in development is gaining attention, particularly in the area of physical fitness and health benefits, more focus on the social, collective benefits is warranted. In addition, the important role that sport clubs play in the social life of rural Canada is especially underappreciated and relatively less well understood.
The main objective of this research is to understand the role of curling clubs in rural Canadian life. It seeks to deepen and broaden our understanding of the role of leisure and sport settings in community development by studying the rural curling club. Specifically, it seeks to: (1) explore the functions of these clubs as sport and community places over time; (2) examine the roles the curling clubs play in rural life and assess the challenges and opportunities they face; (3) observe and document the year-round club and community-based activities in the facility; (4) understand how these functions and meanings differ across communities and the country; (5) determine how rural curling clubs are community spaces to be understood within the broader contexts of rural and social change; (6) develop and refine new research approaches designed to best capture the complex interactions in these sport settings.
Since its beginning as a pilot study in 2005, this project has evolved into an in-depth qualitative, ethnographic study with research completed in 18 clubs from 9 provinces.
Thus far, key insights include an enhanced understanding of:
- why people belong to the curling club (not just why they curl, but why they feel the club is important to them)
- accessing supported and affordable physical activity
- maintaining family relationships
- collaborating, playing, and volunteering with others in the community
- being part of history and continuity outside of family
- playing a meaningful role in a (public) setting that is not home or work
- the challenges faced by these clubs and their members
- struggling with diversity
- addressing changing demographics
- dealing with crumbling club infrastructure, privatisation, and rising costs
- contending with growing individualisation and declining volunteerism
- new avenues for sport policy and research by appreciating:
- the social role of sport settings
the contribution of qualitative approaches
While considerations of the role of sport, leisure, and recreation in community development is at
least intuitively understood and supported, explorations of rural communities and, in particular,
rural sport clubs, as sites for the expression of this role have been limited. Well-known authors
such as Putnam (2000) and Bellah et al. (1987) argue that opportunities for engaging in
community activities are essential for a healthy social life through the building of networks,
social capital, and economic development. Despite this, there has been limited research on
participation in recreation and sport in rural Canada.
The main objective of this research is to understand the role of curling clubs in rural Canadian
life. It seeks to deepen and broaden our understanding of the role of leisure spaces in
community development by studying the rural curling club. Specifically, it seeks to: (1) explore
the roles that these clubs have played as sport and community places over time; (2) examine
the roles that curling clubs play in rural life and assess the challenges and opportunities they
face; (3) observe and document the year-round club and community-based activities in the
facility; (4) understand how these roles and meanings differ across communities and the
country; (5) determine how rural curling clubs are community leisure spaces to be understood
within the broader contexts of rural and social change.
Since its beginnings as a pilot study in 2005, this project has evolved into an in-depth qualitative
and ethnographic study with research completed with clubs in Manitoba, Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and continuing in other
parts of the country. The following six themes are emerging out of this study. In short, these
clubs are:
- windows into rural change
- part of community identity
- founded upon volunteerism and support
- places for valued family time
- sources of life-long social connections and physical activity
- 'a gathering place’ for the community
References:
Bellah, R., Madsen, R., Sullivan, W., Swidler, A., & Tipton, S. (1987). Habits of the Heart.
Berkeley: University of California Press.
Putnam, R.D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New
York, New York: Simon & Schuster.
SCRI 2007 Presentation Slides
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