Too much pressure in broadcast sport
Televising school sport could put too much focus on performance, a price too high for young athletes, write Chris Whatman and Simon Walters.
Anew deal to televise and livestream more secondary school sports in New Zealand has attracted significant attention and debate.
First XV secondary school rugby in New Zealand has been televised for some time on Sky Sport. The attraction of new revenue for broadcasters and other sporting organisations is clear, but what might the cost be for young athletes?
The new broadcast deal is a collaboration between the New Zealand Sport Collective (created by former Olympic rowing champion Rob Waddell and representing more than 50 sports) and Sky Sport Next, a YouTube channel run by Sky TV.
The deal evolved after consultation with several bodies including the New Zealand Secondary School Sports Council (NZSSSC), which coordinates secondary school sport.
It is easy to understand why some school pupils would like to be on television. But there are moral and ethical issues that need to be considered by those charged with governing school sport.
Some principals claim the partnership was not discussed with them in advance.
The increased television exposure adds to concerns of an overly professionalised, ‘‘win at all costs’’ culture that already exists in some school sport.
In response to these concerns, the NZSSSC set up a broadcasting charter in an attempt to protect the health and wellbeing of students and allow those who do not want to be televised to opt out.
But in reality, the power imbalances at play and other influences mean the charter is unlikely to be effective in many situations. For example, rather than opting out, some schools may feel pressure on them to stay in, to please players and parents.