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Action Sport NGOs in a Neo-Liberal Context: The Cases of Skateistan and Surf Aid International
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Journal of Sport and Social Issues
XX(X) 1 –27
© 2012 SAGE Publications

Sport nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have flourished in the contemporary moment, particularly situated within neoliberal global politics. In this article we focus on the relatively recent proliferation of action sport-based social justice advocacy groups. Drawing on extant materials from our ongoing research on two action sport- related social justice movements—Skateistan and SurfAid International (SAI)—we illustrate some of the unique strategies employed by these organizations to survive, and indeed thrive, within a neo-liberally-dominated world. In so doing, we hope to raise new questions for critical scholars interested in studying sport-related NGOs into the 21st century.

Excerpt

Sport-related social movements have been attempting to draw attention to key political, social, and cultural issues (e.g., the women’s sport movement, American civil rights movement, the antiapartheid movement, and efforts to eliminate Native American mascots), and initiate social change at local, national and global levels, at least since the 1960s (see for example, Davis-Delano & Crosset, 2008; Jhally, 2006). In the early 21st century, however, sport-related social movements appear to be more prolific, creative, and variegated than ever before. A growing number of sociologists are producing detailed examinations of an array of “new” sport-related social movements (e.g., Harvey & Houle, 1994; Sugden, 2008; Wilson, 2007), with particular emphasis on sports potential for “promoting development and peace” (Giulianotti, 2011, p. 51; also see Armstrong, 2004; Calloway, 2004; Chawansky, 2011; Darnell, 2010; Kidd, 2008; Saaveedra, 2009; Sugden & Wallis, 2007). In this article we build on and expand this body of scholarship through an analysis of two alternative, extreme or action sports-related social movements.

To access the full document, please contact Holly Thorpe through her Team Player profile (logged-in users only) or email her on [email protected].

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