GeoSport for Society , volume 3, no 2 2015 , pp. 41-52, Art icle no 15.03.02.007 [600456]

© GeoSport for Society , volume 3, no 2 /2015 , pp. 41-52, Art icle no 15.03.02.007

GEOSPORT FOR SOCIETY
Scientific Journal founded in 2014 under aegis of University of Oradea (Romania),
University of Debrecen (Hungary), University of Gdánsk (Poland)
ISSN 2393 -1353
Edited by Oradea University Press
1, University Street, 410087, Oradea, Romania

Journal homepag e: http://geosport.uoradea.ro

41

The possibilities and results for the scientific research
into the relationship between settlements and sport

Gábor KOZMA1 *, Zoltán BÁCS2, Zsombor ZILINYI3

1. University of Debrecen, Department of Social Geography and Regional Development Planni ng, 1. Egyetem sq,
4032 Debrecen, Hungary, e -mail: [anonimizat]
2. University of Debrecen, Department of Accounting , 138. Böszörményi st, Debrecen, Hungary,
e-mail: [anonimizat]
3. Local authority of Debrecen, 11. Ká lvin sq, 4026 Debrecen, Hungary, e -mail: [anonimizat]

* Corresponding author

Article history: Received: 1 1.06.2015; Revised: 23.08.2015; Accepted: 2 2.09.2015, Available online: 10.10 .2015

Abstract . The scope of tasks organised and performed b y settlements and their
leaders has continuously broadened since the beginnings of time. Initially, the leaders of
settlements were primarily expected to provide for the safe operation of the settlement, the
creation of the conditions of commerce, as well as the administration of justice. However,
from the 18th and 19th centuries onward, settlements started to play an increasingly
important role also in the areas of education, social and healthcare services. In the 20th
century, parallel with the spread of the notion of the welfare state, activities related to the
useful spending of free time have gained importance, among which, in addition to culture –
primarily in the most recent times – sports has played an increasingly significant role as well.
The aim of this paper is to explore the possible areas of researching the relationships
between settlements and sports. Further developing the tetrahedron model of the
settlement, the truncated triangular pyramid model has been created, the two bases of which
are the natural environment and the municipal administration, while the sides are the
infrastructural, economic and social spheres. The paper will present the results of and
further possibilities in sports -related research aimed at each of these spheres, as w ell as the
sports -related characteristics of the interactions taking place along the edges of the
truncated triangular pyramid.

Keywords : settlement, sport, local authority, sporting event, society, sports facility

Gábor KOZMA , Zoltán BÁCS , Zsombor ZILINYI Article no 15.03 .02.0 07

42 Introduction
There is a liv ely debate these days in Western Europe, North America, and also
in Hungary, on the cost -effectiveness of sports facilities (mainly stadiums) and
sporting events (especially Olympic Games), as well as the usefulness of the
construction and organisation of such facilities and events (Ilies et al., 2014). In the
background of these debates we can primarily find the fact that postmodern cities
showing considerable development in recent times (Bramham & Wagg, 2009)
devote an increasing amount of attention to sa tisfying the needs of their own
citizens as well as tourists coming to the settlement. In the framework of the above,
special emphasis is given to the extension of entertainment possibilities, among
which events related to sports also play an important rol e in addition to culture.
At the same time, the above processes called the attention of researchers to
the fact a multitude of links connect settlements (and specifically among them,
cities) and sports, and that they mutually influence each other’s develop ment. As a
result, research projects were started primarily from the perspective of urban
studies, which analysed the various forms of expression of the connection between
the two areas.
One possible starting point of the theoretical and practical examina tion of the
connections could be the tetrahedron model of József Tóth (1981), according to
which the settlement is the cooperating system based on the interaction between
the natural/physical, social, economic and infrastructural realms. The four realms
may be illustrated by way of four equilateral triangles which constitute a
tetrahedron (fig. 1). All realms have connections with all other realms, and as a
result there are interactions along the sides of the triangles: changes in each of the
realms may cau se significant changes in the way the other three realms operate.

Figure 1. The tetrahedron model of settlement
(1 – social realm, 2 – economic realm, 3 – infrastructural realm, 4 – natural/physical environment)
(Source: Tóth, 1981)

However, this mod el does not cover the realm of public administration
otherwise fulfilling a very important function these days in the lives of settlements,

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43 which in the specific case means the administration provided by the local
authorities, and which plays a role in the life of the settlement primarily by way of
the local ordinances and decisions adopted by the local councils. As a consequence,
in the framework of the further development of the tetrahedron model, it is
expedient to cut off the top part of the social, eco nomic and infrastructural sides and
to create a truncated pyramid by way of putting a new base parallel with the
natural/physical realm (fig. 2).
Considering the truncated pyramid model from the side of sports, however, in
my opinion, yet another addition must be made: in the lives of settlements, sports
appear in most cases in the form of various sports events, which – due to the fact
that they are fundamentally in connection with each of the elements of the form – is
expedient to be included in the model as a sphere inside the pyramid.
In the later parts of the study, relaying on the results of both Hungarian and
international research projects, I will discuss the individual realm’s various forms of
manifestation related to sports; in addition, I will als o analyse the sports -related
elements of the interaction between the realms. In the studies, the settlements
fundamentally appeared in two types of relationship systems: on the one hand,
researchers have explored the differences between the settlements, an d on the other
hand, they identified the processes taking place within the settlements.

Figure 2. The truncated pyramid model of the settlement
(ABC – natural/physical environment, ABED – social realm, BCEF – economic realm, ACDF –
infrastructural realm, DEF – local administrative realm)
(Source: Kozma, on the basis of Tóth, 1981)

We think to this analysis it is necessary to describe the meaning of sports and
sporting activities. According to the European Sports Charter (1992): ‘Sport’ “means
all forms o f physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at
expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well -being, forming social
relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.” The Hungarian I. act
about sport ( 2004) expands this definition with intellectual activities (for example
chess is also a sport), besides the law states that sport and sporting activity is a
desirable goal and a basic value for the nation. If we can accept these concepts, wide
variety of a ctivities can be specified as sports.

Gábor KOZMA , Zoltán BÁCS , Zsombor ZILINYI Article no 15.03 .02.0 07

44 The individual realms’ forms of manifestation related to sports
From the point of view of the manifestation of the individual realms related to
sports, the natural/physical realm is in a special position, due to the f act that – by
way of the edges of the truncated pyramid – it has an effect/influence on the other
three realms; at the same time, it cannot be examined in itself, and therefore, it will
be analysed only in the next chapter.
In the course of the examinatio n of the social realm and sports, the sports –
related activities of the local population and civil organisations are in the centre
(Major et al., 2014). On the basis of the Eurobarometer public opinion survey
regularly prepared for the European Commission o n the willingness of the
population to engage in sports, significant differences can be observed on the basis
of countries, gender, age and education (Perényi, 2011). With respect to the
differences between settlements, the results indicate the importance of the type of
communities (table 1): in big cities, a larger proportion of frequent engagement in
sporting activities can be observed than in villages and rural areas.

Table 1. The frequency of sporting activities on various types of communities in the
European Union in 2013 (%)

rural area or
village small/medium
town large town EU 28
1 time a week or more 35.9 40.4 41.3 39.1
1 to 3 time a month 4.9 5.5 6.0 5.4
less often 13.1 13.0 12.5 12.9
never 46.1 41.1 40.2 42.6
Source: European Union, 2014

Civil organisations primarily play an important role in the organisation of
society’s sporting activities (Bács, 2011), and their significance is clearly indicated
by the fact that in terms of absolute numbers, they constitute the largest group of
the civ il sector in Hungary (this meant nearly 12% of the entire sector in 2013). If
we examine the characteristics of civil organisations working in the field of sports
according to settlement types (table 2), on the one hand we can observe a lower
share in the case of Budapest, and an overrepresentation as far as towns other than
county seats and other settlements are concerned.

Table 2 . The distribution of civil organisations working in the field of sports and all civil
organisations according to settlement t ypes in Hungary in 2013 (%)

Budapest county
seat non county
seat towns villages total
civil organisations active
in the field of sports 18.3 21.7 33.0 27.0 100.0
all civil organisations 24.3 21.0 29.8 24.9 100.0

In the analysis of the infrastructural realm , researchers mainly concentrated
on the examination of the location of sports facilities. On the basis of the findings,
three main types can be differentiating : location in or near the centre, within the

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45 settlement limits, and in the suburbs (Thornl ey, 2002). The first type evolved mainly
for historical reasons, since in this case the facility was formerly located on the edge
of a settlement at one point, and due to its growth and spatial spreading, the location
of the sports facility can be now cons idered as central. On the other hand, since the
1990s, due to the growing importance of renewing the deteriorated economies of
inner cities, mainly in the United States of America, this location has once again
come to the foreground (Turner & Rosentraub, 2 002; Nelson, 2007).
The suburban location became very popular in the United States in the 1960 –
70s, due to several reasons (Bale, 2003; Barghchi et al., 2009). On the one hand, due
to the difficulty of extending/modernising facilities in their existing lo cations – in
line with the decentralisation of the cities in the 1960s – the option of using cheap
suburban sites emerged as a matter of course, and economic efficiency was further
increased by the fact that the real estates on which the earlier facilities were located
could be sold at favourable prices (Chapin, 2000). On the other hand, these sporting
facilities were located close to motorways, in well -accessible locations, and there
was no danger that they would cause disturbance to those living nearby.
On the European continent, the suburbanisation of sports facilities (primarily
football stadiums) gained momentum from the early 1980s, with two factors in the
background. First, due to the growing popularity of football, the existing facilities
increasing ly turned out to be too small, and in order to increase their incomes,
football clubs set as an objective the construction of larger facilities. Second, as a
consequence of Hillsborough disaster of 1989, increasingly strict regulations were
introduced rega rding the standards of equipment at the stadiums, and in most cases
the new demands could not be satisfied, and as a consequence, suburban sites as an
option came to the foreground.
There may be several factors behind the increasingly popular location within
the settlement but at a certain distance from the centre (Barghchi et al., 2009). On the
one hand, this choice may be caused by the fact that at the existing location the
necessary modernisation/extension of the facility is not possible; at the same ti me,
however, the team – partly motivated by the desire to stay close to their supporters
– does not wish to relocate at a large distance. On the other hand, also in case of
newly constructed, larger sports facilities (e.g. investment projects related to
Olympic Games), real properties within the city boundaries with good accessibility
by way of public transportation also come to the foreground. In both cases, the
facilities are often built on deteriorated, earlier industrial locations, with the hopes
that t he new facility will play the important role of being a catalyst in the renewal of
the neighbourhood concerned.
From the point of view of the connection between the economic realm and
sports it is of outstanding significance to examine the role played by sports in the
economic life of the settlements and what characterises the situation of business
enterprises working in the field of sports. If we consider the situation in
Hungary, we can conclude that companies listing sports as their principal activity
are in a more unfavourable situation both in terms of their revenues and the
number of employees relative to the average of all businesses. The most
important influence on the distribution of the organisations concerned according

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46 to counties are GDP and tot al domestic revenue, and as a consequence, the most
favourable results can be found in Budapest, as well as Pest, Győr -Moson -Sopron,
Fejér and Vas counties (KSH, 2014).
The activities of local authorities related to sports can be traced back to
different reasons. First, the successes of local athletes (here we should primarily
think of team sports) may play a very important role in increasing the pride and the
positive self -image of those living on the given settlement, and local authorities may
use them i n the course of their marketing activities. Second, supporting mass sports
will improve the health status of the population, and third, sporting events may be a
significant source of income for local authorities and local businesses.
The activities of Hun garian local authorities related to sports are
fundamentally governed by two groups of legal provisions: those applicable to local
authorities on the one hand, and those related to sports on the other hand. Act LXV
of 1990 on local authorities listed suppo rting sports as one of the tasks of local
authorities, which function was reinforced by the new law, Act CLXXXIX of 2011 on
the local authorities of Hungary. The most important legal provisions on sports (Act
LXIV of 1996, Act CXLV of 2000 and Act I of 200 4) regulate this area in much more
detail, and on the basis of the tasks to be performed, they differentiate between
county and settlement -level local authorities, and within the latter group, deal with
cities of county rank separately.
The performance/or ganisation of tasks related to sports within the local
authority may take place in different ways: there may be a separate official in charge
of this issue within the mayor’s/county assembly’s office; the local council (or in
cities of county rank and coun ty governments, the general council) may establish a
separate committee (Kozma & Radics, 2011) that is in charge of this area; they may
create local provisions of law in which the principles related to sports are laid down
(such as a local sports concept, and in case of settlements with a population less
than 10,000, the mandatory sports ordinance); or they may establish a municipally
owned company for the performance of the specific tasks (Bukta, 2011).
As far as sporting events are concerned, on the basis of their effect on the life
of the settlement, two basic types can be identified: closed and public events (Hall,
1992). In the former category we primarily find the training camps that the local
population (and even groups who like sports) are usually no t very much aware of,
and they hardly even affect the everyday life of the settlement. By contrast, in case
of public sporting events, the situation is the exact opposite: even those who are
not close to sports are aware of their existence in most cases, a nd they often
influence the life of the entire settlement (e.g. the closing of roads due to a running
race in the streets).

The examination of the relationship between the individual realms
The effects related to the natural realm
The analysis of the eff ect of the natural conditions on sports in terms of the
differences between settlements, we can conclude that some of the settlements offer
more favourable conditions for certain types of sports than others (Bale, 2003;
Bánhidi, 2011). In addition to mount ainous regions being the primary locations for

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47 winter sports and settlements along rivers for water -based sports, we should
definitely mention that from the point of view of training camps, settlements at a
higher altitude above sea level enjoy a significa nt competitive advantage, as do in
case of open -air team sports (especially football), in the winter preparation period
(Koc, 2005), settlements offering favourable conditions (e.g. the Mediterranean
coast of Turkey).
Due to its size, the various parts of a given settlement very rarely offer
differing natural conditions, and as a result the relationship between nature and the
conditions for sports within a settlement can only be examined with certain
limitations. As far as sporting facilities are concerned , it is primarily in case of
football fields that such a relationship can be observed: in the designing of such
facilities, in most cases special attention is devoted to ensuring that the afternoon
sun should not disturb goalkeepers, and therefore, the nor th-south orientation is
preferred over the east -west orientation.
Another important area of the relationship between the natural environment
of a settlement and sports is the analysis of the effect of sports on the natural
environment . In recent decades, several unfavourable phenomena have come to the
surface (e.g. the harmful consequences of the use of artificial snow and the use of
land for golf courses); at the same time, studies also point out that the idea of
environmental sustainability has received insufficient attention among operators of
sports facilities (Mallen et al., 2010) and organisers of sporting events (Leopkey &
Parent, 2009), and significant progress would still be necessary in this respect.

Effects related to local authorities
The acti vities of local authorities related to sports may be realised in
different forms, and the effects of such activities can be identified in case of several
realms. First, the local authority defines the potential spatial configuration of the
sports -related i nfrastructure in different urban planning documents (e.g.
settlement structure plan), in the course of which special emphasis has been given,
for a long time, to questions of accessibility, the location of available free land
areas, and the presence of the market of consumers. In addition to the above, an
increasing role is also played in recent times by the possibility of linking with
existing facilities (Kozma et al., 2014), as a consequence of which we can now
observe the emergence of complex sports cent res/zones in an increasing number
of settlements (e.g. Győr, Debrecen).
Secondly, by way of using different tools (e.g. organising events, operating a
local sports school, the development of sports facilities), local authorities may
significantly broaden t he sporting opportunities available to the local society ,
thereby contributing to the propagation of the ideals of a healthy lifestyle. According
to the data the level of satisfaction with actions of local authorities in this field has
influence on sport and physical activities of inhabitants: among those dissatisfied
with the contribution of local authorities a higher rate of inactivity, while among
those formulating a less critical opinion a higher rate and higher frequency of
participation was recorded ( table 3).

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48 Table 3 . Consideration of local authorities’ contribution to creating sporting opportunities
(%) in the European Union in 2013

contribution of local authorities
(local authority does not do enough for its citizens in
relation to sport and physi cal activities)
frequency of sport activity A B C D
1 time a week or more 39.6 37.0 41.9 46.0
1 to 3 time a month 5.8 5.5 5.7 5.9
less often 12.0 14.1 14.0 11.4
never 42.6 43.5 38.4 36.7
total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Source: European Union, 2014

Thirdly, local governments also play an important role in the financing of the
local sports life , with respect to which researchers have established several
categories (Gyömöri, 2014):
-financial support given to companies engaged in various activities rela ted to
sports;
-support for the organising of sporting events (direct financial aid or the
possibility of using sports facilities owned by the local authority free of charge);
-support for non -profit organisations engaged in sports -related activities;
-financing sports -related developments.
Examining the effects of the individual realms, we can conclude that sporting
events also have an influence on the activities of local authorities, and sporting
events may generate income directly (in the form of touris m tax) or indirectly (by
way of the local business tax of the companies participating in the organisation of
the sporting events) for the local authorities. The sports facilities constructed often
fulfil an important role in the development of a given part of a settlement, and in
relying on them the local authorities may successfully apply to host subsequent
events as well. In addition to the above, both sporting events and sports facilities
may constitute important elements of the marketing activities of the local authority
(Rein & Shields, 2007; Kozma, 2010), the purpose of which is to contribute to the
image of a dynamic city capable of satisfying a variety of demands.

Interactions between the social, economic and infrastructural realms
The three lateral sides of the truncated pyramid are connected to each other
by way of multiple threads. Local society, non -profit organisations and businesses
active in the field of sports are users of sports facilities, and accordingly, it can be
observed in several case s that entities in the latter two categories are also the
owners or operators of the sports facilities.
In terms of the interaction between the infrastructure and the economy , the
most important question was how sports facilities influence the economic liv es of
cities. For a long time, the opinion has dominated amon g researchers (e.g. Baade,
1996; Zimbalist, 1998) that sports facilities have no significant positive economic

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49 influence, and that no measurable effect on job creation or the increase of personal
income or local tax revenue can be attributed to them.
In the new millennium, however, changes occurred from two points of view.
On the one hand, some of the researchers have pointed out that the earlier analyses
were based on surveys examining sports fa cilities with peripheral or suburban
location. By contrast, from the 1990s, primarily in the United States, an increasing
role is played by facilities located in the inner parts of cities, often within the CBD,
which are architecturally novel, also functio n as tourist sights and play an organic
part of the renewal of the inner cities. In the case of these sports facilities, a
significant economic effect can, in fact, be observed (Nelson, 2007).
On the other hand, an increasing number of studies have address ed the non –
economic, and therefore less measurable effects of the new facilities. These include
the changes in the self -confidence and pride of the local population, the role of the
facilities in the modification of the image of individual settlements, and in the
opinion of the researchers, some favourable processes can be observed in this
respect (Davies, 2006).
One of the possible areas of inquiry into the relationship between the
infrastructure and the social realm is the analysis of the sites where the population
can engage in sports and other physical activities, in which field in significant
differences between the settlements types within the European Union can only be
observed in a few cases (table 4). Such activities being performed at home is mainl y
typical in villages, while in case of large cities, the importance of activities tied to
fitness centres is above the average.

Table 4 . The sites where the population engages in sports and other physical activities in
case of various settlement types in the European Union (%)

at
home at a health or
fitness centre at a sports
centre on the way between home
and school or work
rural area or village 42 11 6 22
small/medium town 34 15 9 26
large town 31 21 9 28
EU 28 36 15 8 25
Source: European Union, 2014

The other side of the relationship between infrastructure and the social realm
is how the events concerned (and the sports facilities serving as their location)
influence society. Relying on the increasingly widespread notion of NIMBY (Not In
My Back Yard), for a long time the perception that dominated was that due to the
various unfavourable effects (e.g. the appearance of crowdedness, garbage and
noise, disturbances accompanying the events), the sports facilities cause the value of
real properties to decrease.
However, in the decade after 2000, a significant part of the empirical research
projects carried out in various countries and cities (e.g. Tu, 2005; Ahlfeldt &
Maenning, 2008) came to the exact opposite conclusion. The appearance of sports
facil ities had a positive effect on the value of real properties, in the background of
which we can identify the leisure and entertainment opportunities offered by the

Gábor KOZMA , Zoltán BÁCS , Zsombor ZILINYI Article no 15.03 .02.0 07

50 infrastructural development following the construction of such facilities, as well as
those o ffered by the new facility itself.

The relationship between sporting events and the individual realms
The relationship between the natural environment and local authorities in
terms of sporting events was discussed above, and therefore, we will not deal w ith
these two areas in the following.
The relationship between sporting events and the infrastructure is very clear:
facilities serve as the venues for the local sporting events, and it can observed in
several cases that the behind the construction of a g iven facility is the purpose to
serve as a venue for some larger event (this is primarily true for Olympic Games, as
well as for European and world championships in football, but the primar y purpose
for which the Főnix Hall in Debrecen was erected was also to provide a location for
the gymnastics world championship in 2002). Recently, however, it has been a
problem on several occasions that the rate of utilisation of the facilities construct ed
for a larger event (e.g. the Athens and the Beijing Olympic Games, or the European
Football Championship in Portugal) decreased to a very low level after the event,
and their maintenance consumed considerable amounts. In the interest of avoiding
such a situation, various methods are used these days.
At the professionalized era of sport the national sport associations
determine the requirements for the sports -related facilities. These buildings have
shorter amortization period due to their intensive usage and have to be rebuilt or
renovate in every 30 -40 years. More emphasis is placed on the construction of
multifunctional facilities; moreover the possibility for reducing the capacity of the
facilities concerned after the event is also created; and finally , an attempt is made
to curb excessively large -volume constructions. As the National Olympic
Committee’s acknowledged “Agenda 2020” program expresses, sport events in the
future will be held in an economic and reasonable environment. This program
gives the opportunity for smaller countries and capitals to organize the Olympic
Games with lower budgets. As Hungary is 9th at the race between the all -time
medallists, the country has the sports -professional background and reason for
organizing such a worldwide e vent.
The analysis of the effect of sporting events on the economic life of the
settlement hosting them is one of the most important areas of sports -related
research projects, which is also perhaps the one that the public is most interested in.
In this top ic the analyses that have attracted most attention are those related to
Olympic Games, which address the economic benefit of the games as well as the
exaggeration of the assumed multiplier effect (Preuss, 2004). At the same time,
attention is also called t o the importance of examining the long -term effects (e.g.
new infrastructural facilities also serving the interests of the city) of the events
(Gratton & Preuss, 2008), the inaccuracies of preliminary estimates of costs
(Matheson & Baade, 2006), as well as to the fact that major differences can be
observed between larger and smaller -scale events (O’Brien, 2007).
From the point of view of the relationship between sporting events and the social
realm , one of the most important topics is the willingness of the population to

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51 participate at the events as spectators. According to the research projects (e.g. Turco
et al., 2003), from among the various socio -economic characteristics of the population,
it is the effect of the age distribution and educational attainme nt that can emphasised
most: participation at sporting events can be observed with much bigger frequency
among younger people, and this is also true for those with higher levels of educational
attainment, and in case of sporting events held in Hungary on s ettlements other than
one’s own, also for those living in Budapest (Kozma et al., 2014).

Conclusions
I think that we have managed to prove convincingly that there are lots of
interactions between different realms of settlements and sports and in this way my
article will inspire further researches in this area.

Acknowledgements
The publication was supported by the SROP -4.1.2.E -15/1/KONV -2015 -0001
(TÁMOP -4.1.2.E -15/1/KONV -2015 -0001 ) project. The project has been supported by the
European Union, co -financed by the European Social Fund.

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© GeoSport for Society , volu me 3, no 2 /2015 , pp. 53-60, Article no 15.03.02.00 8

GEOSPORT FOR SOCIETY
Scientific Journal founded in 2014 under aegis of University of Oradea (Romania),
University of Debrecen (Hungary), University of Gdánsk (Poland)
ISSN 2393 -1353
Edited by Oradea University Press
1, University Street, 410087, Oradea, Romania

Journal homepag e: http://geosport.uoradea.ro

53

Sports and Physical Education – Forms of Socialization

Sorin Dacian BUHAȘ ¹ *

1. University of Oradea, Department of Physical Education Sport and Physical Therapy, 1 University st., 410087
Oradea, Romania, e -mail: sbuhas@uoradea.ro

* Corresponding author

Article history: Received: 25.03.2015; Revised: 23.08.2015; Accepted: 2 9.09.2015, Available online: 20.10 .2015

Abstract . Sport and physical activity can provide an appropriate environment for
socialization, but it cannot guarantee, however, in a categorical sense (either positively, or
negatively) this fact. This is extremely difficult to follow, since it develops on a long period of
time. Perhaps there is no causal explanation of the link between the socialization process and
physical activ ity and the fact that practicing physical exercise automatically leads to
socialization. In this context, a number of authors have shown some effects of socialization as
a result of sports activity, although the topic of socialization through sports is ext remely
complex. Sports (sports results, specifically) captures people's attention, exerting a
tremendous force of social attraction (ex. large reunions in public markets in cases of won
football matches). Sports activities influence in a way or another alm ost all individuals. Sport
is present everywhere in contemporary society. With such amplitude it must have a social
role, reflecting a number of norms and values present in society and developing, at the same
time, specific skills, knowledge, norms and val ues. The purpose of this essay is to review the
specific literature and to highlight the influence of sports on socialization. I will discuss
general and methodological concepts basic in the approach of socialization through sports.
This environment can in clude a number of categories (athletes, coaches, managers, fans,
etc.), which will determine answers regarding how and with what effect individuals get to be
involved in sports.

Keywords : sport, physical activity, socialization, forms of so cialization

Introduction
"When we refer to work efficiency it is impossible not to have in mind all of
the aspects which can make people be better, have the pleasure of being at the work

Sorin Dacian BUHA Ș Article no 15.03 .02.0 08

54 place, be motivated enough in order to achieve all the specific ob jectives of the Sport
organizations" (Dragoș, 2015).
"For a significant segment of population of all ages … sport seems to be an
integral part of everyday life by involving people as participants, spectators, through
specific readings and conversation s with friends or acquaintances" (Coakley, 1990).
It is highlighted a specific dynamism and a daily presence of sport activity. This
activity is carried out by individuals who are part of social life. They relate, creating
the premises of the fact that ".. .socialization is a scientific construct that describes a
segment of reality which cannot be observed directly for descriptive and analytical
purposes. Socialization is an object of investigation which exists in reality, but it
cannot be materially perceiv ed" (Hurrelman, 1988).
The term of socialization has been accepted among scientific community only
in the second half of the 19th century, being introduced by the French sociologist,
Durkheim. A number of other authors have addressed this issue by establis hing
various theories. A definition of socialization that tries to encompass this complexity
is formulated by Hurrelman: "Socialization … is the process of occurrence, formation
and development of human personality in dependence and interaction with the
human body, on one hand, and with the conditions of social and ecological existence
at a certain point of historical development of society, on the other hand"
(Hurrelman, 1988). The concept of socialization provides a wide area of action with
a multidisci plinary character. The process of socialization should be approached
outside theoretical perspective, that is not the most suitable in order to analyze this
mechanism. McPherson (1986) states that "… during infancy and early childhood,
the functional per spective that uses social and cognitive development theories may
be the most suitable to explain the process, while for ages with social content, teens
to adulthood, more suitable are conflict and interaction perspectives". By addressing
theoretical perspe ctives, we can highlight a number of common elements. A defining
element is that socialization is not possible without being consistent with a certain
type of behavior, attitudes and values. Another important element is that learning
takes place in a socia l frame, being influenced by the presence of other social actors;
also, socialization is a complex process of interaction that plays an important role in
social integration, establishing social links between individuals and groups.
Sport, as a concept repr esents a very broad concept, even though most who
use the term, think that they manage it. The word sport encompasses so many
meanings, thus it is extremely difficult to find a precise and singular definition. It
cannot be defined by a single concept. "The spatial analysis studies of sports have in
many cases a multidisciplinary character by completing and consolidating the
scientific endeavor with issues and methods specific to other domains" (Ilieș et al.,
2014). In the context of socialization it is impo rtant to identify common elements of
sports activities, affecting the socialization process. At the same time, the notion of
physical activity is much broader than sport, being the basis of all activities of
individuals. Therefore, when we refer to this co ncept, we will approach it under the
circumstances of physical activity that are related to sports movement. Sport will be
regarded as an institutionalized physical activity, with elements of competition,
where the physical and psychical performance is ult imately important, and the

Sports and Physical Education – Forms of Socialization vol 3, no 2, 2015, pp.53-60

55
participation is governed by rules that have their roots in official sports organization
(Coakley, 1990). In this sense, we identify as basic components of sport, the physical
and psychical performance, rules, institutionalizatio n and competition. It is more
and more obvious the interaction between sport and society. Sport, as social
phenomenon, must always be understood and explained in its historical, political,
economic, social and cultural context. Moreover, "… the history o f sport is a relatively
independent history, which even marked by major social and historical events, has
its own pace, its laws of evolution, its crises, in short, its specific chronology"
(Bourdieu, 1978). Within the social framework (including in sport) we will always
encounter conflicts of ideas between individuals and groups of individuals. This
conflict will generate the context for the emergence of a sport culture. This culture
oriented sports towards competition, discovering its great potential in t he process
of socialization and development of social behavior (Engstrom, 1989). Sport is a
well -defined social framework, governed by strict regulations and precise rules;
sport offers a way of learning and applying the rules in practice. In children
(Mar tens, 1986), we observe their involvement in sport from a very young age,
when they see rules as absolute and permanent, perceiving physical activity as being
very rigid. As children grow, they change their perceptions, having a more evolved
approach regar ding sports activity, which leads to emphasizing the social
component of sports experience.
Socialization is an extremely broad term, a concept within which occur
countless interactions and social connections developed over a long period of time.
Having t his temporal expansion, it is difficult to track events that occur. Therefore,
in order to quantify them, it is necessary sampling the subjects or phenomena.
Cokley (1990) emphasizes that the use of preferential samples (e.g. formed only by
professional at hletes, or only by individual sports) leads to the exclusion of other
forms of sports manifestation. We note that the study of socialization is quite
difficult, often appearing uncertainties. We note that the study of socialization is
quite difficult, ofte n appearing uncertainties. In fact, a while ago, researchers stated
that "… there is very little data available that participation in sport could be an
important or essential element in the process of socialization, or that involvement in
sport directly determines learning or leads to learning of skills that could not be
acquired in another social environment" (Loy et al., 1978). Regardless of research
results, sport has become a state policy, governments using it to strengthen the
nation. Being widely pr acticed, sport continues to promote numerous values.

Socialization through sports and physical activity
Involvement in sport
As shown in the literature, it is evident the influence that sport and physical
activity exerts on social framework. People are starting to practice sports due to
some needs , motivations of certain objective, but also due to the desire to socialize .
This last component emphasizes the needs and motivation, making individuals
independent and possessors of skills that may become more and more complex
(Patriksson, 1988). The content of socialization is important because it influences

Sorin Dacian BUHA Ș Article no 15.03 .02.0 08

56 the direction in which sport practitioners try to obtain satisfaction (e.g. whether or
not sport becomes important for them).
The importance of integratin g sociological factors in the context of
socialization was evidenced also by Brustard (1992), who states that "the research
of socialization and motivation in sport must go hand in hand."
Currently, sociological studies approach summary the relationship b etween
socialization influences and motivation in sport. Psychological analysis regarding
sport addresses the linkages between practitioners` psychological processes and
motivation for physical activity. Greendorfer (1992) considers that sports`
psychologi sts are retained in what regards incorporating existing research into a
unitary vision on the socialization process.
In recent years, an important concern in sport psychology was motivation for
participation . More specifically, finding motivation elements that determine
individuals to practice a sport or a physical activity. The results of researchers like
Ryckman and Hamel (1992) present a series of motivations that lead people to
practice sport activity. We can mention the taste for competition, the comp any of
friends, getting fit, entertainment, taste of victory, etc.
There are few studies that have addressed the reasons for practicing sport by
age. Biddle (1992) believes that "teamwork" and "the taste for competition" are not
so important for elderly pe ople, while "social status" is extremely important for
teenagers. "Participation in order to please the loved ones" exists mainly among
children, while "fun" is considered important for young people and adults.
Motivation regarding "health" or "physical co ndition" is present for all ages. These
results show that motives for sports` practicing are different depending on age.
Furthermore, it is proposed to be amended "the way in which advertising and
marketing is being done for physical activity according to age groups and genders,
fact that applies also to the distinction between competitive sport and recreational
exercise. Often, an equality sign is placed between exercise and sport. Doing so, is
possible that many of the potential exercise amateurs give up physical activity
because of lack of motivation for sport`s image" (Biddle, 1992).
Among youth, a crucial motivation for practicing sport is given by the prospect
of professional development (Nicholls, 1984). "…The sport movement, diversified as
type an d form, generates local, regional or worldwide activities through the
manifestation which through the manifestation manner and location produces
benefits and development for the Humane Society (Ilieș et al., 2014). Another
motivation given by the competiti on is formulated by Harter (1981), which states
that individuals have an inner attraction for competition. He highlights three crucial
areas: cognitive (school), physical (sport) and social (relationships with other
individuals). Hartner suggests that peop le who consider themselves competent in
some respects, will perform in those areas and people that do not believe
themselves to have control upon certain things, will not practice that activity.

Socialization through sport
Research regarding socializati on through sport revealed a fundamental
premise that indicates that individual`s motor baggage is inoperative unless

Sports and Physical Education – Forms of Socialization vol 3, no 2, 2015, pp.53-60

57
individuals come into contact with a social environment where they can practice a
particular sport. Research took two directions: conducted on elite adult athletes, and
regarding children and youth (Greedorfe & Ewing, 1981). Investigations regarding
elite adult athletes show that they have started practicing sport from an early age
(6-7 years). Also, many adults have started practicing sport in areas different from
those in which they performed and they were encouraged by influential people from
the social environmental: family, friends etc. These facts reveal a very rich social
activity, individuals gaining a vast experience. Studies conducte d on children show
similar trends. However, there is clear evidence that the immediate social
environment (daily used) is an important factor on the degree of involvement in
sport. Not in all environments there is a positive influence in supporting physica l
activity (Patriksson, 1988).
Observing the principles of social learning, researchers found a positive
relationship between the amount and type of social support that comes from
influential people from the social environment, on one hand, and the degree of
involvement in sport, on the other hand.
Another determinant component is related to the education level of those who
practice sports in their relationships with other members of society. Individuals
with a more pronounced cultural openness are more s ociable (Allison, 1982).
Unfortunately, in recent years we observed a decline in physical activity
among children. Even if they are legitimated at sports clubs and take part in
training and competition, sports activity decreased significantly (Engstrom, 1 989).
Also in schools is an accentuated decrease in the number of hours of physical
education. All these are also connected to an obvious lack of physical culture. In
this context, is important to mobilize all resources in order to increase the interest
for practicing sport for all categories of individuals. Habits related to physical
activity are learned in childhood, which results in further involvement of the adult
in practicing sport (Greendorfer, 1992).

Socialization by means of sport
This component of socialization includes a wide range of reactions: from
learning motor skills, to the acquisition of social values and norms.
Individuals socialized through sport can improve or not their personality
development through the social environment in which they are active. Sport has the
ability to generate positive or negative consequences. "Socialization by means of
sport was treated as a subject completely detached from the socialization through
sport. Most research on the positive or negative consequences of involvement in
sport did not take into account to what extent those consequences can be linked to
the manner, nature and type of supported influences, which explains what happens
during socialization in physical activity" (Greendorfer 1992).
A premise underlying the socialization by means of sport is that playing and
games are important ingredients of the socialization process, helping individuals
acquire complex social skills (Sage, 1986). It may be helpful, states (Chalip et al.,
1984) to ask what ki nd of feelings, conditions and motivations do sports generate:

Sorin Dacian BUHA Ș Article no 15.03 .02.0 08

58 "it can be argues that the sum of discrete, immediate experiences is as important, or
even more important, than long term effects".
Another hypothesis which supports socialization by means of sport indicates
that fun and pleasure are important motivations for the involvement of youth in
sports. Adults (parents and coaches) have an important impact on the pleasure felt
by young athletes. Scanlan and Lewthwaite (1986) observed that youth sports
activity induces satisfaction among parents and a positive interaction with adults. As
a result of his research, Wankel (1990) concluded that: "analyzing the accumulated
research about fun and pleasure in sports, although many of the methods of analysis
and evaluation can be criticized and considered questionable under the aspect of
reliability and validity, the consistency of results is impressive … The ability and the
perceived competence, the real incentive effect of the assignment and an
encouraging envi ronment are very important for the pleasure of sport".
The concept of fair play and moral behavior are also supporting the idea of
socialization by means of sport. There are several theoretical approaches regarding
moral behavior in sport. In a series of studies, Smith (1983) showed that violence in
different sports is often the result of imitating prior experience (hockey, handball,
etc). When children, athletes have other values, but as they grow up, they observe
seniors` behavior which they imitate. Vio lence present in some sports made it to
become normal for that sport (getting into those sports` culture). The danger arises
when this culture becomes a model behavior (Smith, 1983).
A study conducted by Pilz (1992) on fair play events manifested by Germa n
football players, shows that, with age, players tend to violate the rules in order to
subordinate their victory. Based on these data, Pilz concludes that a sports club can
be a very effective agent of socialization, in order to develop fair play. Wandzil ak et
al. (1988) also provide evidence that athletes trained in this spirit have improved
their moral and sporting behavior.

Conclusions
The present analysis is the result of literature review. In recent years, there is
a deeper concern regarding the st udy of the process of socialization through sport. If
in the past the effects of practicing sport were considered to be negative, nowadays,
due to the dynamics of social development, but also to the increase in the level of
education, sports` practicing is seen to have positive components. Values acquired in
sport are now transferred also on daily activities.
Practicing sports does not automatically lead to positive results, but specific
motor skills are acquired exclusively through sports` practice. In fa ct, studies show
that training is a factor for performance improvement, as in all other activities.
Research has shown that socialization can occur also in sports activity context.
Its effects are not always the best. Differences occur due to the value of each
personal judgment. Some appreciate value by achieving a personal goal, others
appreciate cooperation and mutual support at the expense of performance. Both
approaches can be positive, being directly influenced by the social environment.
What we learn will certainly be modified by the direct influence of individual
experience. Types of experiences change depending on the situation (club

Sports and Physical Education – Forms of Socialization vol 3, no 2, 2015, pp.53-60

59
organization, organizational tradition, sports` culture etc) and are influenced by
determinant individuals from the i mmediate environment (parents, coaches etc).
For children, forms of social interaction are more important than the type of
sports activity. They put more emphasis on fulfilling their task, and not the result,
and on realizing the purpose of training.
The relationship between sport and morality should be strengthened and
developed. It is observed that with age, the violation of norms is more pronounced,
as an immediate aim in achieving results. Sports environment imposes different
opinions concerning moral ity, according to the culture of each sport (boxing, hockey,
etc). It is noted that the leader of an organization is the one who marks the
development direction for moral values. Through his or her pedagogy, one can
inoculate the idea of fair play, a highl y promoted concept in society. In this context,
greater attention should be paid to the training of teachers and coaches.
Following the research conducted on socialization, it appears that the majority
of sports and physical activity can contribute to a b etter physical, mental,
psychological and social state among children, youth and adults. In a sedentary
society, sports become more and more important as a socializing environment, in
promoting primary motor skills that are necessary for a healthy life.
The effects of socialization through sports will be stronger for those who
engage themselves in sports for longer periods of time and with more intensity.

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© GeoSport for Society , volume 3 , no 2/ 2015, pp. 61-87, Article no. 15.03.02.009

GEOSPORT FOR SOCIETY
Scientific Journal founded in 2014 under aegis of University of Oradea (Romania),
University of Debrecen (Hungary), University of Gdánsk (Poland)
ISSN 2393 -1353
Edited by Oradea University Press
1, University Street, 410087, Oradea, Romania

Journal homepag e: http://geosport.uoradea.ro

61

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by
the sportive space determined by national competitions
(in 2015) in team sports

Alexandru ILIEȘ1,*, Anca Lumini ța DEAC2, Jan A. WENDT3, Gheorghe BULZ4

1. University of Oradea, Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, 1 University st., 410087 Oradea, Romania/
University of Gdańsk, Institute of Geography, 4 Baźynskiego J. str., 80 -252 Gdańsk, Poland, e -mail: ilies@uoradea.ro
2. University of Oradea, Doctoral School in Geograp hy, 1 University st., 410087 Oradea, Romania, e -mail: anca_deac@yahoo.com
3. University of Gdańsk, Institute of Geography, 4 Baźynskiego J. str., 80 -252 Gdańsk, Poland, e -mail: jan.wendt@ug.edu.pl
4. University of Oradea, Doctoral School in Geography, 1 Un iversity st., 410087 Oradea, Romania, e -mail: bilutza _18@icloud.com

* Corresponding author

Article history: Received: 11.06.2015; Revised: 15.10.2015; Accepted: 12.11.2015, Available online: 24.11.2015

Abstract . The spatial analysis of sports competiti ons can be accomplished according
to sports branch, specific infrastructure elements and the teams trained in competitions. By
limits, geographic position, structure and dynamics, such an area is defining in outlining a
type of university cultural -sportive landscape. In the case of this study, through specific
analysis methods, tried in the specialty literature, our purpose is to analyze the spatial
impact of team sports through the static component – infrastructure and the dynamic one –
sports clubs (teams ). The analysis may target especially the age group, gender group, the
environment, amateur or professional level, etc. At the level of the Romanian political space,
the present study will reflect from territorial point of view the relationship between the
dynamic and static components at the level of the year 2015, on 7 branches with team sports,
amateurs, professionals, which represent the university environment. The purpose is to
outline the role of university sports in the unit of the Romanian sports th rough quantifiable
elements, useful in the spatial planning and organization strategies.

Keywords : Spatial analys is, sport space, infrastructure, dynamic component -teams

Introduction
In the spatial planning and organization, the structu ral component has a major
role and it is usually reflected in the final result. In the case of this study, we shall
analyze the university sportive movement in Romania through two basic structural
components: a static one – infrastructure and a dynamic one – sports clubs and

Alexandru ILIE Ș, Anca Luminita DEAC, Jan WENDT, Gheorghe BULZ Article no 15.03.02.009

62 teams. The relationship between the two components, measurable under
quantitative aspect -number and qualitative aspect -performance level, is analyzed
structurally through the support component – the university environment , and
dynamical ly through the competitional level of representation. Defining and
implementing new concepts such as cultural -sportive landscape and sportive space
(Ilieș et al., 2014) may lead to many meanings certificated in the specialty literature
(Bale, 1994; Augusti n, 2007; Maguire, 1995; Cazelais et al., 2000; Ilieș & Josan, 2009;
Ielenicz & Comănescu, 2013; Conner, 2014) and based on results of different study
case (Bale & Vertinsky, 2004; Gaffney, 2008; Ahlfeldt & Maenning, 2010; Cho at al.,
2012; Ostojic et al., 2013; Zarrilli & Brito, 2013). Together with the spatial
component and its functions, we shall try to outline and define the sportive space as
perceived space, extracting in the end the generalizing example, abnormalities,
analogies, etc (Hagget, 1990; Coc ean, 2002 ). Defining a cultural landscape with
sportive valences also derives from its structure: “anthropic elements, natural
elements (physical support) and derived elements” (Cocean & David, 2014, 35).
Defining a type of cultural sportive landscape mark ed by continuous changes and
adjustments to the demands of the anthropic component at the level of
infrastructural diversity, fits the category of animated evolutional cultural
landscapes (Giulianotti, 1999; Voiculescu & Cre țan, 2005; Bandarin, 2007; Halli nan
& Jackson, 2008; Kozma et al., 2014; Gaceu et al., 2015). In the case of a cultural
sportive landscape, the products of anthropic intervention are the result of a
certain type of culture and in the case of the current study, culturalization refers to
the sports activity at university environment level. Thus, culturalization is
achieved through sportive activity and the specific and related infrastructure
elements, “through them, the landscape role and functions being dictated by their
ampleness, diversi ty, physiognomy, evolution (dynamics), th eir significance and
durability ” (Cocean & David, 2014, 35).

Methodology and tools
Starting from the purpose and objectives of this study, first a data base will be
created, manageable through GIS (Rooney & Pillsb ury, 1992; Favretto, 2005;
Augustin, 2008; Wendt, 2011; Zale & Bandana, 2012; Gaffney, 2014; Ilieș et al.,
2014). Statistical information is gathered related to all university clubs and
associations in Romania which participate with teams to national competi tions in
the competitional year 2014/2015. Using analysis methods and tools tested in the
specialty literature (Cote ț & Nedelcu, 1976; Ianoș, 2000; DeChano & Shelley, 2006;
Ilieș M., 2007; Dehoorne et al., 2010; Ilieș et al., 2012; Conner, 2014; Gaffney, 2 014,
Ilieș & al., 2014; Kozma, 2014; Wendt, 2014) , the final purpose is to answer the
questions where, why and what is the perspective? The statistics and cartographic
methods are the basic ones and the final product which can be used in the spatial
planni ng and organization will be a thematic map (Muehrcke, 1986; Mathieu &
Praicheux, 1987; Bale, 1993; Bale & Dejonghe, 2008; Hall, 2008; Bailey, 2009;
Slocum et al., 2009; Wendt, 2012; Ilieș D.C. et al., 2013; Ilieș A. et. al., 2015). ”The
perceived space ” (Cocean, 2002, 53) will play an important role in this study as it is
the reflection of community image about the sportive space limits and structure,

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63
reflected at sensorial and mental level. It can be combin ed with” the lived space ”
(Cocean, 2002, 54) due to the consistency of the anthropic material. Such a space
turned anthropic contributes fully to the determination of a cultural -sportive
landscape by the fact that “the products of anthropic intervention become first,
constituting its essence” (Cocean & Dav id, 2014, 34). According to the classifications
in the specialty literature (Committee of World Heritage), the cultural sportive
landscape finds its place into the category of landscape intentionally conceived and
created by people (Banda rin, 2007; Cocean & David, 2014 ). Equally, together with
the specific infrastructure, sports, through its manifestation forms and its effects
upon community (Bale & Vertinsky, 2004; Ilieș D. et al., 2011, Maguire, 2014), is the
direct or indirect beneficiary of elements and infrastructu re belonging to other
activity domains (Bale, 2003; Castaldini, 2008; Gaffney, 2013; Kozma et al., 2014;
Pop, 2014). Another important element in analyzing and defining a type of cultural –
sportive landscape is the aesthetic and functional integration of sp orts complexes
into the integrating anthropic or natural environment (Bale, 1982; Bale, 1998;
Thornley, 2002; Castaldini et al., 2005).

Data base
The data gathered from the information sources refer to all sports branches
with team sports existing in 201 5, reflecting an economic and social system specific
to a market economy of West -European type. The analy zed sports branches are:
basket ball, football, hand ball, ice -hockey, rugby, volley ball and water -polo. The
infrastructure elements are the stadiums and own sports halls or those belonging to
the public domain from the localities where the universities or their subsidiaries
are. Logically, the localities where there are such sportive activities should identify
themselves with university centers or their s ubsidiaries. In spatial analysis and
representation of data (Beguin & Pumain, 2010), the difference will be provided by
the number of teams, respectively by their performances, fact which may or may not
be directly related to the size of the university cen ter.

Typology
Different typologies used in specialty literature (Voiculescu & Cre țan, 2005;
Brabyn, 2009; Calcatinge, 2013; Coce an & David, 2014) are important in our
research to create a special type of cultural landsc ape connected with university
sports. The defining criterion of such a cultural -sportive space is typologically
determ ined by the university environment and institutionally by the name of the
university club and of the residence locality and at an inferior level, within the
above, there will be additionally applied criteria of functional, structural and
mental type. O nce the spaces are outlined, we shall be able to notice the
importance of such a delimitation in the systemic functionality of a locality and of
the delimitation of such a cultural -sportive landscape. Usually, the infrastructure
elements are grouped , generatin g sports complexes (fig.1) or can be isolated as it
is the case of football stadiums (fig. 2a -c).

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64

Figure 1. The Sport s Complex including
the Swimming Pool Gheorghe Demeca
and outdoor swimming pool, the Sport s
Hall Lascăr Pană and the Rugby Arena
Lascăr Ghine ț from Baia Mare (where
play s Științ a rugby team ) (image sources:
https://www.google.ro/maps , 2015) Figure 2a. The Football Complex Stadium Dan Păltinișan
from Timișoara, w here play s ACS Poli Timișoara football
team (First Romanian League) (data sources:
https://www.google.ro/maps , 2015)

Figure 2b. University of Oradea. The Sport s Complex Stadium
where play s the football university team FC Universitatea (IVth
Romanian League)
(data sources: https://www.google.ro/maps , 2015)

Figure 2c. The Sport Complex Stadium Politehnica located in
the campus of Politehnica University from Timișoara, w here
play s the football university team ASU Poli Timișoara (Third
Romanian League)
(data sources: https://www.google.ro/maps , 2015)

In 2015, there are register ed 52 university centers – localities with public and
private universities which can be structured as follows (table1; fig.3):
A.) University centers with headquarters of state and private universities 22:
Alba -Iulia, Arad, Bacău, Brașov, București, Cluj -Napoca, Constan ța, Craiova, Gala ți,
Iași, Lugoj, Oradea, Petroșani, Pitești, Ploiești, Reși ța, Sibiu, Suceava, Târgoviște,
Târgu Jiu, Târgu Mureș, Timișoara. Seven of them are identified with one university.

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

65
B.) University centers, branches of those in the first category : București
(Călimănești, Buzău, Drobeta Turnu -Severin, Focșani, Piatra Neam ț, Sibiu), Cluj –
Napoca (Alba Iulia, Baia Mare, Bistri ța, Blaj, Gheorgheni, Năsăud, Odorheiu -Secuiesc,
Oradea, Piatra Neam ț, Satu Mare, Sfântu Gheorghe, Sibiu, Sighetu -Marma ției, Târgu
Mureș, Târgu Secuiesc, Vatra Dornei, Zalău), Craiova (Drobeta Turnu -Severin), Gala ți
(Brăila), Iași (Botoșani, Piatra Neam ț), Oradea (Beiuș), Pitești (Alexandria,
Câmpulung Muscel, Râmnicu -Vâlcea, Slatina), Reși ța (Caransebeș), Timișoara
(Hunedoara, Lugoj).

Table 1. The functional structure of the Romanian university system and its components
(data sources: www.edu.ro , 2015; www.insse.ro , 2015)
no University
Center No. of
universities Name of universities (official name in Romanian) University
Sport Club
1 Alba Iulia 1 Universitatea ”1 Decembrie 1918” CSU
2 Arad 1 Universitatea ”Aurel Vlaicu” CSU
2 Universitatea de Vest ”Vasile Goldiș” (Baia Mare, Marghita, Satu Mare,
Sebiș, Zalău) 1
3 București 1 Universitatea Politehnica
2 CSU 2 Universitatea Tehnică de Construc ții
3 Universitatea de Arhitectură și Urbanism ”Ion Mincu”
4 Universitatea de Știin țe Agronomice și Medicină Veterinară
5 Universitatea
6 Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie ”Carol Davila”
7 Academ ia de Studii Economice
8 Universitatea Na țională de Muzică
9 Universitatea Na țională de Arte
10 Universitatea Na țională de Artă Teatrală și Cinematografie ”I.L.
Caragiale”
11 Universitatea Na țională de Educa ție Fizică și Sport
12 Școala Națională de Studii Politice și Administrative
13 Academia Tehnică Militară
14 Universitatea Na țională de Apărare ”Carol I”
15 Academia Na țională de Informa ții ”Mihai Viteazu”
16 Academia de Poli ție ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza”
17 Universitat ea Creștină ”Dimitrie Cantemir” (Brașov, Cluj, Sibiu,
Timișoara, Constan ța,
18 Universitatea ”Titu Maiorescu” (Tg Jiu)
19 Universitatea ”Nicolae Titulescu”
20 Universitatea Româno -Americană
21 Universitatea ”Hyperion”
22 Universitatea ”Spiru Haret” (Brașov, Constan ța, Câmpulung Muscel,
Craiova, Râmnicu -Vâlcea)
23 Universitatea ”Bioterra” (Alexandria, Buzău, Focșani, Slobozia)
24 Universitatea Ecologică
25 Universitatea Română de Știin țe și Arte ”Gheorghe Asachi”
26 Unive rsitatea ”Athenaeum”
27 Universitatea ”Artifex”
28 Institutul Teologic Romano -Catolic
29 Institutul Teologic Penticostal
4 Bacău 1 Universitatea ”Vasile Alecsandri” CSU
2 Universitatea ”George Bacovia”
5 Brașov 1 Universitatea ”Transilva nia” CSU 2 Academia For țelor Aeriene ”Henri Coandă”
3 Universitatea ”George Bari țiu”
6 Cluj – 1 Universitatea tehnică CSU

Alexandru ILIE Ș, Anca Luminita DEAC, Jan WENDT, Gheorghe BULZ Article no 15.03.02.009

66 Notes: Universitate a de Arte – state university
Universitatea ”Tibiscus” –private university

Quantitatively, an important role as selection area and, implicitly,
representation potential, is also played by the number of students per university
center (fig. 3). Napoca 2 Univ de Știin țe Agronomice și Medicină Veterinară
3 Universitatea ”Babeș -Bolyai”
4 Universitatea de Medicin ă și Farmacie ”Iuliu Ha țeganu”
5 Academia de Muzică ”Gheorghe Dima”
6 Universitatea de Artă și Design
7 Universitatea ”Avram Iancu”
8 Universitatea ”Bogdan Vodă” (Timișoara)
9 Institutul Teologic Protestant
10 Universitatea ”Sapien ția” (Mirecurea Ciuc, Târgu Mureș)
7 Constan ța 1 Universitatea ”Ovidius”
CSU 2 Universitatea Maritimă
3 Academia Navală ”Mircea cel Bătrân”
4 Universitatea ”Andrei Șaguna”
8 Craiova 1 Universitatea CSU 2 Universitatea de Medicină și Farmac ie
9 Gala ți 1 Universitatea ”Dunărea de Jos” CSU
2 Universitatea ”Danubius”
10 Iași 1 Universitatea Tehnică ”Gheorghe Asachi”
CSU 2 Universitatea de Știin țe Agricole și Medicină Veterinară ”Ion
Ionescu de la Brad”
3 Universitatea ”Al. I. Cuza ”
4 Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie ”Gr. T. Popa”
5 Universitatea de Arte ”George Enescu”
6 Universitatea ”Petre Andrei”
11 Lugoj 1 Universitatea Europeană ”Drăgan”
12 Oradea 1 Universitatea CSU
2 Universitatea ”Agora”
3 Univer sitatea ”Emanuel”
4 Universitatea Creștină ”Par țium” 1
13 Petroșani 1 Universitatea CSU
14 Pitești 1 Universitatea CSU
2 Universitatea ”Constantin Brâncoveanu” (Brăila, Râmnicu -Vâlcea)
15 Ploiești 1 Universitatea Petrol -Gaze CSU
16 Reși ța 1 Universitatea ”Eftimie Murgu” CSU
17 Sibiu 1 Universitatea ”Lucian Blaga” CSU 2 Academia For țelor Terestre ”Nicolae Bălcescu”
3 Universitatea ”Româno -Germană”
18 Suceava 1 Universitatea ”Ștefan cel Mare” CSU
19 Târgoviște 1 Universitatea ”Valahia” CSU
20 Târgu Jiu 1 Universitatea ”Constantin Brâncuși”
21 Târgu
Mureș 1 Universitatea ”Petru Maior”
CSU 2 Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie
3 Universitatea de Arte
4 Universitatea ”Dimitrie Cantemir”
22 Timișoara 1 Universitatea Politeh nica
2 CSU 2 Universitatea de Știin țe Agricole și Medicină Veterinară a Banatului
”Regele Mihai I al României”
3 Universitatea de Vest
4 Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie ”Victor Babeș”
5 Universitatea ”Tibiscus”

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67

Figure 4. The functional structure of the Romanian university system and its components including
University Sport s Club s (CSU/USC) in 2015 (data sources: www.edu.ro , 2015; www.insse.ro , 2015)

Alexandru ILIE Ș, Anca Luminita DEAC, Jan WENDT, Gheorghe BULZ Article no 15.03.02.009

68 The definition of such a university center in this case is provided by the
existence of a headquarters of a university and, in case B, by the existence of branches
of A category universities. In terms of spatial plan ning, we can say that into the 2nd
category there are the polarized centers, dependent of the 1st category. Their assertion
on competitive level can be accomplished through partnerships with the local
authorities having a double purpose: to represent the u niversity and locality equally.
For example, the 5 state universities from Cluj -Napoca have branches in a
significant number of localities, especially in Transylvania and even in localities
where there are other universities as well (fig. 3). Practically, under functional,
structural and mental aspects, the polarization area of Cluj -Napoca university
center encompasses the localities with branches too. In the case of Cluj -Napoca
university center, there are:
-Specific representation club (University Sports Club) which identifies itself
with the university center and functions independently from universities;
-Clubs or associations belonging to certain universities;
-Clubs or student sports associations in branch university centers and which
can be: dependent on the USC/CSU; on university or autonomous.
Based on such definitions of the key element -the university , so that a locality
should be a university center (52 localities) , we can define three categories of
university spaces (tab.1; fig.3):
a.) independent of base : determined by universities placed in a single locality:
in the case of this category there are 8 university centers with a single public
university (fig.3): Alba Iulia, Oradea, Petroșani, Ploiești, Reși ța, Suceava, Târgoviște
and Târgu Jiu.
b.) p olarizing -independent : determined by universities with the headquarters
in a single locality and branches in one or several localities (9 centers): București,
Cluj -Napoca, Craiova, Gala ți, Iași, Oradea, Pitești, Reși ța and Timișoara (fig.3).
c.) polarized -subordinate : localities with university branches having the
headquarters in a different locality (26 centers): Alexandria, Baia Mare, Beiuș,
Bistri ța, Blaj, Botoșani, Brăila, Buzău, Călimănești, Câmpulung Muscel, Caransebeș,
Drobeta Turnu -Severin,Focșani, Gheorgheni, Hunedoara, Năsăud, Odorheiu –
Secuiesc, Piatra Neam ț, Râmnicu -Vâlcea, Satu Mare, Sfântu Gheorghe, Sighetu –
Marma ției, Slatina, Târgu Secuiesc, Vatra Dornei, Zalău.
d.) autonomous : all university sports clubs (CSU/USC) which function nearby
univers ities and are located in a single university center, respectively locality.
e.) To these 4 types, a fifth type is added, defined by the property regime,
usually private, and which, under a university title, is not dependent on a university,
functioning fin ancially independently, similarly to a private club.
To the four types defined by the university function of the locality, in the case
of this study, it is added the functional component determined by the existence of a
sports branch with participation to national competitions.

The analytical component
The sports branches considered in this study are those specific to team spo rts:
basket ball, football, handball, ice hocke y, water polo, rugby and volley ball, both

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

69
men’s (M) and women’s (W). There are conside rable differences between the sports
branches mentioned in the report with the number of participating teams and
implicitly the representation level of the university center.

Basket ball
Basket ball is one of the team sports with the highest adherence in the
university environment on representation level in the national championships with
women and men teams. Structurally, it stands out on gender and age groups level
(table 2; fig. 5), being organized from the competition point of view on 12 levels
(table 3). Practically, the infrastructure elements and the dynamic component (the
team) can be encountered in 11 university centers (50% of the total). Besides the
qualitative component generated on competition level, an important role is also
played by quantita tive component by the number of registered sportives and the
number of teams involved in national competitions. On the seniors’ level, the
national basketball championship includes The National League (NL), First League
(L1) and Second League (L2), men and women, and the juniors’ competitions are
ranked on 9 age categories (fig. 4, table 3).

Table 2. University centers, teams and representation levels in m en’s (M) and women’s (W) basket ball
competitions (Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Basketball, 2 015: www.frb.ro , 2015)

no University
Center Name of Team University National League League 1 League 2
M W M W M W
1 Arad Univ Vasile Goldiș ICIM Vasile Goldiș W W
2 București CSU Știința CSU M
ACS 4 Spo rts Agronomia Univ. Agronomia M
3 Alba Iulia CS Universitatea 1Decembrie 1918 W W
4 Brașov CSU Cuadripol Transilvania M
Olimpia CSU Transilvania W W
5 Cluj –
Napoca U-Banca Transilvania private M
U Mobitelco private M M
Universitatea Babeș -Bolyai W M W W
6 Craiova SCMU Universitatea M M
7 Iași CS Politehnica Național Univ Tehnică W
Politehnica Univ Tehnică M
8 Oradea CSM CSU/CSM CSU LPS Universitatea M M
Universitatea CSM Universitatea W
9 Pitești BCMU Universitatea M M M
10 Ploiești CSU Petrol și Gaze M
11 Sibiu CSU Atlassibiu Lucian Blaga M M M

On seniors’ level (including Under 20), men and women, the sp orts space
determined by basket ball national competitions has a dyn amic component grouped
on the level of 94 teams distributed on the entire territory of our country. Out of
these, the sports landscape of university basket ball is formed of 33 teams (35% of
the total), 21 men’s teams and 12 women’ teams.
Practically, out o f the 11 university clubs (table 2), three are represented in all
3 leagues (Cluj -Napoca, Sibiu and Pitești); two only in L3 (Brașov and Ploiești); 4
only in L2 (București -2 clubs, Cluj -Napoca and Iași) and 2 in NL and L1 (Oradea and
Craiova). Structurall y, in the 11 university centers there are 13 clubs supported

Alexandru ILIE Ș, Anca Luminita DEAC, Jan WENDT, Gheorghe BULZ Article no 15.03.02.009

70 through University Sport s Club s (CSU) by 11 universities (out of which only Vasile
Goldiș University of Arad belongs to the private system) and, by association, by
private partners and local coun cils (table 2).

Table 3. Hierarchic representat ion level of competition basket ball on university centers
(Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Basket -ball, 2015: www.frb.ro , 2015)

Men’s Level of competition Women’s
University center University center
Cluj -Napoca,
Craiova
Oradea
Pitești
Sibiu National League (12 men’s și 11
women’s teams) with
5 men’s și 3 women’s universitie ’s
teams Cluj Napoca
Arad
Alba Iulia
Brașov
București (2)
Cluj-Napoca (2)
Craiova
Iași
Oradea
Pitești
Sibiu 1st League (24 men’s și 14
women’s teams) with 9 men’s și 6
women’s universitie ’s teams
Cluj Napoca
Arad
Alba Iulia
Brașov
Cluj -Napoca
Brașov
Pitești
Ploiești
Sibiu 2nd League (23 men’s și 4 women’s
teams) with 5 men’s și 1 women’s
universitie ’s teams Cluj -Napoca

Cluj -Napoca
București Under 20 (7 men’s și 4 women’s
teams) with 2 men’s și 1 women’s
universitie ’s teams Cluj -Napoca
Brașov
Cluj-Napoca
București
Pitești Under 18 (33 men’s și 15 women’s
teams) with 4 men’s și 1 women’s
universitie ’s teams U18 Brașov
Cluj-Napoca (2)
București
Brașov
Pitești (2) Under 17 (20 men’s și 6 women’s
teams) with 6 men’s și 1 women’s
universitie ’s teams

Brașov
Cluj Napoca (2)
București
Brașov
Sibiu
Pitești Under 16 (44 men’s și 24 women’s
teams) with 6 men’s și 1 women’s
universitie ’s teams
București
Bra șov

Cluj Napoca
Ploiești
Pitești Under 15 (16 men’s și 17 women’s
teams) with 3 men’s și 1 women’s
universitie ’s teams Brașov
București
Cluj Napoca
București
Brașov
Sibiu
Pitești (2)
Ploiești Under 14 (31 men’s și 20 women’s
teams) with 7 men’s și 2 women’s
universitie ’s teams

Brașov
Oradea
Cluj Napoca (2)
București
Pitești
Ploiești Under13 (30 men’s și 18 women’s
teams) with 5 men’s și 1 women’s
universitie ’s teams
București
Cluj Napoca
Brașov
MiniBasket -ball (12 men’s și 12
women’s teams) with 2 men’s și 2
women’s universitie ’s teams Ploiești
Brașov

Cluj Napoca (3)
Brașov
Ploiești Baby Baschet 32 men’s and 12
women’s from which 5 men’s și 2
women’s universitie ’s teams
Brașov
Ploiești

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71

Figure 5. University center s, teams and representation levels in men’s and women’s basketball
competitions (Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Basketball, 2015: www.frb.ro , 2015)

Alexandru ILIE Ș, Anca Luminita DEAC, Jan WENDT, Gheorghe BULZ Article no 15.03.02.009

72 The popularity of the basketball game in the university environment is
emphasized by the large numbe r of teams in the seniors’ national leagues, but
especially by the interest in the juniors’ teams. In figure 5 we notice that on the 9
competition levels, 353 teams function, out of which 51 (15%) belong to university
clubs (table 3; fig. 5), even though t he players do not have the age of students. We
notice on this level 7 university centers, true poles of men and women junior
basketball and these are (fig. 5): 13 competitions (6M and 7W), Cluj -Napoca 10
competitions (9M and 1W), Bucharest 9 (6M and 3W), P itești 6M, Sibiu 2M, Ploiești
6 (4M and 2W) and Oradea 1W. From the gender point of view, men’s basketball
dominates with 39 teams (75%) compared to women’s basketball with 14 teams.
Out of the more than 100 public and private universities, only 12 are inv olved
in supporting basketball clubs (tables 2 and 3). Two of them are private and 10,
through the university sports clubs (USC/CSU), are assigned to the 11 university
centers. Regionally (fig. 5), in national competitions there are involved only 4
centers from Transylvania, 2 from Banat and Crișana, 1 from Moldova, 3 from
Muntenia and 1 from Oltenia. Except Bucharest, present in only 3 categories of
juniors, university women’s basketball is present only in Transylvania region (Cluj –
Napoca, Alba Iulia and B rașov) and in western Crișana (Arad and Oradea).

Volley ball
Volley ball is a team sport with adherence in university environment. The
quantitative component is clea rly inferior compared to basket ball, the sports space
defined by volley -ball is outlined in 2015 by 38 men’s teams, out of which 7 are
university teams and about 40 women’s teams, out of which 14 are university teams
(table 4).
The spatial distribution shows 11 university centers (50% of the total) (fig. 6):
Baia Mare, Cluj Napoca, Craiova, Timi șoara, Brașov, București, Bacău, Iași, Tg Mureș,
Oradea and Gala ți.

Table 4 . University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s (M) and women’s (W) volley ball
competitions (Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Volleyball, 2015: www.frv.ro , 2015

no University
center Team University
or/and
CSU/USC A1 Division
(12 men’s teams and
12 women’s teams)
with 3 men’s and 5
women’s universitie ’s
teams A2 Division
(13 men’s and 13
women’s teams)
with 4 men’s and
5 women’s
universitie ’s teams Junior
with
3 women’s
universitie ’s
teams
1 Baia Mare Știin ța Explorări Univ Tehnică Cluj M
2 București CSU Știin ța CSU M
3 Bacău CS Știin ța Vasile Alecsandri W M
4 Brașov CSU Brașov Transilvania M W
5 Cluj –
Napoca CS ”U” Babeș -Bolyai M W
LPS ”U” Babeș -Bolyai W
6 Craiova CSM U Universitatea M W
7 Gala ți CSU Dunărea de Jos W
8 Iași ACS Penicilina Univ de Medicină W
9 Oradea CSU Universitatea W
10 Timișoara CSU Vest Univ de Vest M
CSU Politehnica Politehnica W
11 Tg Mureș CSU Medicina Univ de Medicină W W W
CSU Medicina CNUE Univ de Medicină W

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

73

Figure 6. University centers, teams and representation lev els in men’s and women’s volley ball
competitions (Data’s so urces : Romanian Federation of Volley ball, 2015: www.frv.ro , 2015)

Alexandru ILIE Ș, Anca Luminita DEAC, Jan WENDT, Gheorghe BULZ Article no 15.03.02.009

74 The qualitative component is defined by hierarchic levels; in the case of this
sport, both in men’s and women’s, two levels function: A1 Division (24 teams) with
8 teams and 6 university cen ters; A2 Division with 9 teams from 7 university
centers. On the juniors’ level, the university clubs are represented only in women’s
category by 3 teams from 2 university centers: Tg Mureș (2) and Cluj -Napoca (1). Tg
Mureș university center can be conside red the pole of women’s university volleyball
by the representation of 3 women’s teams on all levels. Medicina CSU is related to
the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy from the locality.
On the level of the two genders, the men’s teams represent 7 university
centers and the women’s teams represent 9 university centers. The only centers
with representation from both categories are: Cluj Napoca, Craiova, Timișoara,
Brașov and Bacău.
The sports cultural landscape, defined by the spatial positioning of the
infras tructure elements and of the university teams (21) p articipating in national
volley ball competitions, is identified on the level of 11 localities with university
function, representing 50% of the 22 teams exiting on national level.

Handball
It is a popul ar team sport in the Romanian space and Romania’s national team
won several world and Olympic tittles. The national competitions are organized on 2
seniors’ levels (National League -NL and A Division -AD), men and women, to which
many junior competitions are added, ranked on age groups.

Table 5 . University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s (M) and women’s (W) handball
competitions (Data’s sources: Romanian Federati on of Handball, 2015: www.frh.ro , 2015
no University
center Team University
or/and
CSU/USC National League
(14 men’s teams and
14 women’s teams)
with 2 men’s and
1 women’s
universitie ’s teams A Division
(27 men’s teams and
22 women’s teams)
with 8 men’s and 8
women’s
universitie ’s teams
M W M W
1 Bacău Știin ța Municipal Vasile Alecsandri M
CS Știin ța W
2 București CSU Știin ța CSU W
3 Brașov CSU CNOT Transilvania M
4 Constan ța Universitatea Neptun Ovidius W
5 Cluj -Napoca CS Universitatea CSU M
U Alexandrion CSU W
6 Craiova Universitatea University M
7 Gala ți CSU Danubius Dunărea de Jos M W
8 Iași Poli Unistil Technical University M
9 Oradea CSU University W
10 Reși ța CSU Eftimie Murgu W
11 Suceava CSU Ștefan cel Mare M
12 Târgoviște CSU Valahia M W
13 Timișoara CSU de Vest University de Vest W
CH CSU Politehnica Politehnica University M M

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75

Figure 7. University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s and women’s handball
competitions (Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Handball, 2015: www.frh.ro , 2015)

Alexandru ILIE Ș, Anca Luminita DEAC, Jan WENDT, Gheorghe BULZ Article no 15.03.02.009

76 The handb all landscape on the two divisions level is made up of 77 teams out
of which 19 (25%) are from the university environment. On gender level, there are
41 men’s teams (52%), 10 of them from universities and 36 women’s teams (47%),
9 of them from universities .
Out of the 22 Romanian basic university centers, the space outlined by the
handball game in the university sportive -cultural landscape is identified in 13
centers (60%). On gender representation level, 5 centers stand out with men’s
and women’s teams: Ba cău, Cluj -Napoca, Timișoara, Gala ți, Târgoviște; 4 men’s
teams: Brașov, Craiova, Iași și Suceava and 4 women’s teams: București,
Constan ța, Oradea and Reși ța.
Both qualitatively (representation level) and quantitatively (number of
teams), Timișoara univer sity center features the most significant representation by
two men’s teams (NL and AD), belonging to the Polytechnic University and a
women’s team belonging to the Western University (AD). Through their support for
handball, both men and women, the follow ing universities stand out: Bacău, Gala ți
and USC (Babeș -Bolyai) Cluj -Napoca.

Football
Football is, on world level, the most popular sport from the perspective of
number of those who practice it, but especially from the perspective of attracting an
impres sive number of spectators. The specific infrastructure (stadiums and related
elements) is ready to attract an average of over 10,000 spectators/match, especially
on the first leagues level. Just as in the case of the other sports, the clubs and
championshi ps are organized on the two genders: male and female and from the
competitions point of view, hierarchically, this sport, on seniors’ level, has the most
levels (1 -7 leagues).
The infrastructure static component, regarding mainly stadiums and playing
field s, features a large typological variety under architectural aspect, under the
aspect of receiving capacity and of number of fields grouped in complexes.
The dynamic component (clubs and teams), by representation and number of
teams registered in various ev ents, reflects other elements of economic nature
(financial power) or of social nature by the number of fans and spectators.
The features of the two components differ from one country to another, being
determined by the demographic potential from where the re can be established
those who practice the sport on professional and amateur levels, as well as the most
numerous component, the spectators. On European level, Romania fits the category
of medium value countries from the point of view of the two componen ts’
quantitative values.
Within the Romanian space, the football game includes three categories:
professionals, semi -professionals on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd leagues level (with national
and regional extension) and non -amateurs and amateurs in the 4th-7th leagues (with
county and local extension).
In the university environment there is no regular championship, although
numerous attempts have been made in this respect, even during the communist era.
We mention that during the communist period, there were top st udents’ teams of 1st

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

77
league level: Sportul Studen țesc Bucharest, Universitatea Cluj, Politehnica Timișoara,
Universitatea Craiova, Politehnica Iași, or teams which emerged on the same level
after 1990, such as: CSU Voin ța Sibiu. After 1990, when gradually they passed to
professionalism, also materialized in the significant increase of budgets and
expenses, most university teams from the top leagues were demoted, dissolved or
became private or entered in public -private associations.
In 2015, football represented by university clubs (at least as name and br and)
has remained significant compared to other European countries. We should mention
that, although they have university team names, at least within the first two leagues,
they are dominantly private or in public -private association. Out of the 18 clubs
which activated in the 1st League during the 2014/2015 championship, the
representative ones for the university environment were as follows: CS
Universitatea Craiova, Universitatea Cluj Napoca and CSM Studen țesc Iași. Bucharest,
the capital, the biggest uni versity center (29 public and private universities), does
not have a representative on these levels. In the current championship edition
(2015/2016, with a number of 16 teams), the number remained constant by the
regression of the team from Cluj and the pr omotion of ACS Poli Timișoara.
On lower level, the 2nd League in the 2015/2016 championship has only one
representative of a university center, ”U” Cluj, regressed from the 1st league (fig. 8 ;
table 6 ).

Table 6 . University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s ( M) and women’s (W) football
competitions (Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Football, 2015: www.frf.ro , 2015

no University
center Teams University
or/and
CSU/USC Ist League
(14 men’s
teams) with
3 men’s
universitie ’s
teams IInd League
(27 men’s and
22 women’s
teams) with
1 men’s and
2 women’s
univer sitie ’s
teams IIIrd
League
(27 men’s
teams) with
3 men’s
universitie ’s
teams IVth
League
with
4 men’s
univer –
sitie ’s
teams V-VII
Leagues
with
5 men’s
univer –
sitie ’s
teams
M W M W M W M M
1 Alexandria
Universitatea private W
2 București SC FC Sportul
Studen țesc CSU M
3 Cluj -Napoca CS ”U” mixte M
AMEFA M
4 Craiova CS Universitatea Universitatea M M
5 Iași CSM Studen țesc mixte M
AS Poly 2014 M
AS Academica M
6 Gala ți CSU Dunărea de Jos W
7 Oradea FC Universitatea Universitatea M
8 Petroșani Universitatea Universitatea M
9 Sebiș Național Univ. de Vest
Vasile Goldiș M
10 Timișoara
ACS Poli mixte M M
ACS ASU Poli Univ. Politehnica M M
ASU Agronomia Univ. Agronomia M

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78
Figure 8. University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s and women’s football
competitions (Data’s sources: Roma nian Federation of Football, 2015: www.frf.ro , 2015)

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

79
In the 3rd League, with a semi -professional status, with 5 regional groups, the
university clubs are represented by two centers (table 6; fig. 8): Timișoara, with a
2nd club, CSU Politehnica Timișoara wh ich belongs to the Polytechnic University
from Timișoara and the private -public association SC Na țional Sebiș, having as
partner Vasile Goldiș West University from Arad. The 2nd team of CSU Craiova 2 is
added to this league.
The lower county leagues, with number of levels which dif fer from a county to
another (4-7), with amateur or non -amateur status and implicitly lower budgets and
expenses, include university teams which belong to certain universities in order to
represent them. Out of the 22 university c enters which include the headquarters of
universiti es divided to 22 counties (fig. 8, table 6), the football activity is represented
by 9 clubs in the following centers: Bucharest (1), Cluj (1), Petroșani (1), Iași (2),
Oradea (1) and Timișoara (3). Hierarc hically, th e situation is as follows (tab 6; fig. 8):
-The 4th league with 4 teams from 4 centers: FC Universitatea Oradea, SC FC
Sportul Studen țesc Bucharest, Universitatea Petroșani and ACS Poli II Timișoara I.
-The 5th league with 3 teams from 2 center s: AS AMEFA Cluj Napoca, AS Poly
2014 Iași and AS Academica Iași;
-The 7the league with 2 teams: ACS ASU Politehnica Timișoara II and ASU
Agronomia Timișoara II.
In the futsal national championship, out of 23 teams participating in the 1st
and 2nd leagues , two are university teams in the 1st league: CS Informatica Timișoara
and CSMS Iași.

In 2015, the Romanian Federation of Football and the Polytechnic University
of Timisoara organized the university football national championship, with the
participation of 19 universities from 14 university centers (8 centers were not
represented), the title being won by University Constantin Brâncuși from Tg Jiu. The
actual university space focused on football was outlined especially in the Central and
Western parts of R omania.
Women’s football , considerably less practiced than men’s football, is organized
on three levels with a total of 22 teams, out of which only 2 are university teams (fig.
8): Universitatea Alexandria (private) and Universitatea Gala ți, activating in the 2nd
level (1st League).
The sportive -cultural landscape defined by the spatial positioning of the
infrastructure elements and of university teams (21) participating in male and
female football national competitions is identified in 11 localities with u niversity
function, representing 50% of the 22 existing on national level. From the
universities with involvement by association in the university clubs, we mention the
following: Craiova, Cluj -Napoca, Iași, Oradea, Petroșani, Univ. Politehnica Timișoara,
Agronomia Timișoara and ANEF Bucharest.

Rugby
Rugby is a sport centered in the Romanian space on only two men’s teams and
hierarchically structured on 5 levels, out of which two of juniors (Under 20 and
Under 18). The university tradition in practicing t his sport is present ever since the
beginning of practicing it within the Romanian political space.

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80
Figure 9. University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s rugby competitions
(Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Rugby, 2015: www.frr.ro , 2015)

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

81
The three senior levels encompass 22 teams, out of which 8 are university
teams (36%) positioned in 8 university centers (36% of the total number of centers)
and belonging totally or by association to 8 universities (fig. 9; table 7).

Table 7 . University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s (M) rugby competitions
(Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Rugby, 2015: www.frr.ro , 2015)

The university sportive -cultural landscape, determined by the sports space
defined by practicing the rugby game on three hierarchic levels, is identified through
(fig.9, table 7):
-3 centers (50%) in the National Super League (6 teams): Baia Mare, Cluj –
Napoca and Timișoara;
-3 centers (30%) in the National Division (10 teams): Arad, Iași and Petroșani;
-2 centers (33% ) in A Division (6 teams): Bucharest and Brașov;
On junior level, 4 university centers registered teams in national competitions:
Cluj Napoca, Iași, Petroșani și Timișoara.
On university clubs level, certain universities should become involv ed, such as
(fig.9): the West University of Timișoara, University of Petroșani, Transylvania
University of Brașov, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Baia Mare University Center,
Technical University of Iași, SC Sportul Studen țesc (CSU) from Bucharest and CS
University fro m Cluj Napoca.

Water Polo . A sport with reduced practicing area in Romania, organized on
the level of senior’s national league with 10 teams, also includes the university
environment by the involvement of two teams: CS Sportul Studen țesc Bucharest and
Politehnica Cluj Napoca (fig.10).

Ice Hockey . It is a sport with narrow area representation, situation which is
also determined by the positioning of skating rinks, and it is organized in only one
national competition with 6 teams, the university environment being represented by
CS Sportul Studen țesc, club from Bucharest which will celebrate 100 years of
existence in 2016 (fig.10).
no
University
center Teams University
or/and
CSU/USC
Super –
League
(6 men’s
teams) with
3 men’s
universitie ’s
teams National
Division (10
men’s teams)
with 4 men’s
universitie ’s
teams A Division
(6 men’s
teams) with
3 men’s
universitie ’s
teams Under 20
5 teams)
with
1 men’s
universitie ’s
teams Under 18 (11
men’s teams
at national
level) with
3 universitie ’s
teams
1 Arad CSUAV
Aurel Vlaicu M
2 Baia Mare CSM Știin ța
mixte M
3 Brașov CSU CFR
CSU M
4 București SC Sportul
Studen țesc
CSU M
5 Cluj –
Napoca ”U”
CSU M M
AS Mănăștur
mixte M
6 Iași CS Politehnica
Unirea
CSU M M
7 Petroșani CS Știin ța
Universitatea M M
8 Timișoara RCM -UVT
Saracens
Universitatea
de Vest M M

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82
Figure 10. University centers, teams and representation levels in men’s ice -hockey and water -polo
competitions (Data’s sources: Romanian Federation of Water Polo, 2015: www.frp.ro , 2015; Romanian Federation
of Ice Hockey, 2015: www.frh.ro , 2015)

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

83
Conclusions
The university sportive -cultural landscape in Romania is defined by the
sportive space specifi c to team sports through the static component – infrastructure
and the dynamic one – university teams. In order to outline a very suggestive image
related to the territorial realities of the year 2015, 7 sports branches from the team
sports category have b een analyzed. The analytical component has referred to the
relationship between the university centers, the universities and the university
clubs participating in national competitions. The basic ground has been made up of
about 100 public and private univ ersities, the 22 university centers where the
headquarters of the universities are and the university centers which are branches
of the first category.
The study focused on the 22 basic university centers as the data base has not
registered any university competition sportive activity in branches, except Baia
Mare University Center which belongs to the Technical University of Cluj -Napoca.
In all these university centers, in autonomous regime, university sports clubs
function (CSU/USC) which can be associate d to one or several universities from
the same center.
The share of university teams’ participation in national competitions from the
total number of teams reflects greatly the involvement of the university
environment in defining the particularities and t he boundaries of a sportive -cultural
landscape. Thus, on seniors’ competition level, the university sports space is
outlined by (fig.11):
-33 basket ball teams (21 men’s and 12 women’s; 35% of the total number of
participating teams) from 11 centers (50% of the total number of university
centers): Arad, București, Alba Iulia, Brașov, Cluj -Napoca, Craiova, Iași, Oradea,
Pitești, Ploiești and Sibiu;
-21 volley ball teams (7 men’s and 14 women’s; 27% of the total): Baia Mare,
București, Bacău, Brașov, Cluj -Napoc a, Craiova, Gala ți, Iași, Oradea, Timișoara and
Tg. Mureș;
-19 handball teams (10 men’s and 9 women’s; 25% of the total) from the one
centers (60%): Bacău, Brașov, București, Cluj -Napoca, Constan ța, Craiova, Gala ți,
Iași, Oradea, Reși ța, Suceava, Timișoara and Târgoviște;
-15 football university teams (from which 2 women’s team) representing 7
university centers: Craiova, Cluj -Napoca, Iași and Timișoara on the level of the first
two leagues; Bucharest, Iași, Oradea, Petroșani and Timișoara on lower leagues level
and with total involvement of certain universities. The localities Alexandria and
Sebiș from the private area are added to these.
-8 teams of men’s rugby from 8 centers (36 % of the total): Arad, Baia Mare,
Brașov, București, Cluj -Napoca, Iași, Petro șani și Timișoara;
-One ice -hockey men’s team (16%) of 6 participants: CS Sportul Studen țesc
București;
-2 water -polo university men’s teams (25% of the total, București and Cluj –
Napoca) in the national super -league formed of 8 teams;

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84
Figure 11. Univers ity centers, sport -teams and their representation levels in different branch of
national competitions

Romanian university sports -cultural landscape defined by the spor tive space … … volume 3 , no 2, 2015 , pp. 61-87

85
Correlating the 7 sports branches with the represented university centers, the
outlining of the sports – cultural landscape also derives from the polarization degree
of university sports on the level of the 22 centers. Thus, all 21 centers (except the
water -polo and ice -hockey games, more reduced in space) are represented on
competition level and define a space formed from the cent ers (fig.11): Bucharest (7
sports), Cluj -Napoca (6), Iași (5), Brașov (4), Craiova (4), Oradea (4), Timișoara (4),
Arad (2), Baia Mare (2), Bacău (2), Gala ți (2), Petroșani (2), Târgu Mureș (2), Alba
Iulia (1), Constan ța (1), Pitești (1), Ploiești (1), Reș ița (1), Sibiu (1), Suceava (1),
Târgoviște (1).
The cartographic representations from this study fully feature the outlining of
a university sports -cultural landscape defined by the sportive space of the 21
university centers related to the national compe titions through the 99 university
teams specific to the 7 team sports.

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© GeoSport for Society , volume 3 , no 2 (2015), pp. 8 8-94, article no. 15.03.02.0 10

GEOSPORT FOR SOCIETY
Scientific Journal founded in 2014 under aegis of University of Oradea (Romania),
University of Debrecen (Hungary), University of Gdánsk (Poland)
ISSN 2393 -1353
Edited by Oradea University Press
1, University Street, 410087, Oradea, Romania

Journal homepag e: http://geosport.uoradea.ro

88

Selected spatial aspects of cultural events

Julia ZIÓŁKOWSKA1*

1. Jędrzej Śniadecki Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Tourism and Recreation Management,
K. Górskiego Street 1, 80 -001 Gdańsk, Poland, e -mail: juliag@awf.gda.pl

* Corresponding author

Article history: Received: 2 1.04 .2015; Revised: 20.09.2015; Accepted: 14.11.2015, Available online: 26 .11.2015

Abstract . Cultural events, ranging from large -scale international festivals to small –
scale local initiatives, are in the field of interest of many researchers. Economists,
sociologists, geographers and tourism researchers have devoted work to understand
different aspects of this phenomenon. Cultural events are complex, multidisciplinary
occurrences, strongly linked with the environment. This article tries to show selected links
between cultural events and space .

Keywords : cultural events, planned events, space in geography

Introduction
At regional or local level, cultural events have become a popular wa y to build
tourism potential or to diversify the free -time activity offer for residents. Events are
in the scope of interest of different scientific fields, including geography. Cudny
(2014) notes that festivals are a frequent theme of geographical inquir y, researched
mainly in respect of cultural and social aspects. The aim of the paper is to present a
preliminary analysis of event -space relationship in regard to cultural events and
chosen elements of space characteristics. The paper is based on literatu re review
and the authors’ own reflections on this subject.

Planned events
Planned events are temporary occurrences, they have a finite length that is
fixed and publicized, each event is a transient, one -time composition of the setting,
people, design ele ments and programme (Getz 1997, 2008). Getz (2008) shows a

Selected spatial aspects of cultural events volume 3 , no 2, 2015, pp.88-94

89
typology of planned events (table 1) that divides them into several categories in
relation to their form and purpose.
The purpose of each event is defined by the institution responsible for its
organization or by the body (i.e. a local government) that commissions the event.
Among the many organizers of planned events it is possible to name non –
governmental organizations (i.e. cultural or religious), public bodies (of local and
national level), inte rnational organizations (in the field of sport, politics and
business), the management of purpose built venues (congress and expo centres,
tourist attractions, sport stadiums, etc.), educational and research institutions
(i.e. universities) and the enterta inment business (i.e. concert or marketing
agencies). Private events are organized by families or social groups with
participation being restricted those specially invited. For that reason this type of
events is not considered as open to the public and wil l not be taken into
consideration in this paper.

Table 1. Typology of planned events (source: Getz, 2008)

Planned events may also be defined as to their potential to attract tourists.
The tourist demand for local and regional (per iodic or one -time) events is low or
medium, periodic hallmark events and occasional mega -events have a high value
and high tourist demand (Getz, 2008). As noted by Koh & Jackson (2006) mega –
events are large -scale events that have the possibility to affect whole economies and
are covered by global media. What distinguishes hallmark events is the fact that they
become synonymous with the place of their localization (i.e. the carnival in Rio de
Janeiro). Regional events have the potential to attract tourists, while local events are
intended mostly for residents.
The research on events concentrates mostly on mega -events and hallmark
events, especially on the impact of these events on local economy and society as well
as their potential for tourism development. Local and regional events are less in the CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
festivals
carnivals
commemorations
religious events
POLITICAL AND STATE
summits
royal occasions
political events
VIP visits
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
concerts
award ceremonies BUSINESS AND TRADE
meetings
conventions
consumer and trade shows
fairs, markets
EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC
conferences
seminars
clinics
SPORT COMPETITION
amat eur/professional
spectator/participant
RECREATIONAL
sport or games for fun
PRIVATE EVENTS
weddings
parties
socials

Julia ZIÓŁKOWSKA Article no 15.03 .02.0 10

90 scope of research, although, if organized by local residents, they have the chance to
attract tourists (Carlsen et al., 2000).
One of the events type widely covered in literature and research are festivals
(see Cu dny 2014). Festivals are cultural events based on religion, culture or local
traditions (McCartney, 2010). According to Cudny et al. (2012, cited in Cudny 2014)
the characteristic features of festivals are (among others): the celebration of
elements that are important in a given community’s life, the regularity, the
possibility to combine with competitions, in addition festivals are often composed of
different social and cultural events. Festivals are the dominant type of cultural
events and they organiza tion is possible “(…) all over the world and in all societies”
(Cudny, 2014, 131).

The concept of space in geography
As stated by Kostrowicki (1997) it is impossible to formulate one, general
definition of space. The understanding of this term is strictl y dependent of the
subject and object of reflection. In addition, the criteria used to divide
geographical space might be as well subjective as objective. Geographical space is
defined by Leszczycki (cited in: Tkocz, 2008) as the natural base on which peop le
live, work and rest, it is a space that combines many functions necessary for
human being existence. In geographic inquiry on space two strands are dominant –
one that focuses on the sense of place (“defined by the lived experiences of
people”) and one that concentrates on space as socially produced and consumed
(Hubbard, 2010). The concept of physical and non -physical space is presented by
Lisowski (2003). The first is seen as a set of objects and the relations between
them on the Euclidean geometry. Th e second is seen as a set of objects in relation
to defined subjects that shape, act -in or study this space. Non -physical space
consists of ecological, social and cultural spaces. Ecological space is analysed from
a human and environmental perspective and will have different properties
depending of the subject being taken into consideration. The social space consists
of physical space elements that are organized by society in a purpose -led activity.
Cultural space “carries meanings” for the subject and is a symbol of cultural values.
These cultural values might take the shape of specific behaviour of people in space.
In this concept people have not only the possibility to use space but also to shape it
into different functions and meanings.
As noted by Kuc iński (2013) because of the ever growing use of space and its
natural elements for economic purposes, its character is shifting from geographical
towards economic. The economic space includes all spheres and relations that have
an economic property and in this context human existence is considered in terms of
production, exchange and consumption (Tkocz, 2008). One of the essential aspects
of space is its’ differentiation, which has a critical role in planned events
organization. The main elements used to di fferentiate space are natural, economic,
social, political and institutional features (Kuciński, 2013) which reflect in the
accessibility to specific resources needed to perform human organized activity.

Selected spatial aspects of cultural events volume 3 , no 2, 2015, pp.88-94

91
Event – space relationship
The organization of pl anned events, as any other human organized activity, is
based on resources accessibility. Getz notes that the resource base of events shifts
from natural to economic and events tend to be shaped by politics (Getz, 2008). To
be successful, event’s organize rs need to manage often scarce resources and
coordinate the needs of various stakeholders (local community, politicians,
artists/performers, visitors). In this part of the paper an attempt is made to present
the relationship that occurs between chosen elem ents of each resources type and
the organization of planned cultural events.
As stated by Kuciński (1994) resources used in production and consumption
can be grouped into the following categories: natural, cultural and human.
Natural resources include min erals, sources of energy, climate conditions,
soils, natural flora and fauna, waters, landscape, landforms and the space itself.
When analysing cultural events in the context of natural resources, landscape
stands -out as the most important of them. The New Penguin Dictionary of
Geography defines landscape as an area of the earth’s surface characterized by a
certain type of scenery, comprising a distinct association of physical and cultural
forms. As stated by Bobek &Schmithüsen (cited by Kowalczyk, 2007) th e cultural
landscape is formed by the abiotic sphere (inanimate nature), the vital sphere
(animate nature, including the activity of humans at the lowest level of civilisation
development) and the intellectual sphere (the effects of culture -led human activ ity).
In the semiotic approach to cultural landscapes the attention is focused on
intangible cultural assets, on the genius loci or “spirit of landscape” (Plit, 2011, 11).
The cultural landscape of a given area may be reflected in the theme (subject) of an
event, it may form the background (understood as a view or a setting) for the event,
it might also be reflected in the activities presented during the event programme
(i.e. as the everyday life of a community). The relationship between the cultural
landsc ape and the event is especially strong in the case of hallmark events and
local/regional events i.e. festivals, fairs and historical reconstructions, which reflect
the unique character of a landscape.
Kuciński (1994) explains that cultural resources may also be described as
capital resources which are elements of geographical environment created by
humans. They build the fixed assets of a given area and contribute to the
effectiveness of production and consumption processes. Infrastructure is one of the
elementary forms of capital resources and it might be defined as an arrangement of
objects and institutions operating and linking spatial systems, as well as fulfilling an
ancillary role to population and to the different sectors of national economy
(Pakulska, 2013). The primary types of infrastructure noted in literature are: basic,
information, innovation and social infrastructure. Basic infrastructure includes
transport, energy, water and sewage managem ent. Information infrastructure
consists of equipment used to send, accumulate and process information as well as
of institutions providing services in this area. Innovation infrastructure is formed by
scientific and research organizations and other specia lized institutions involved in
development and dissemination of innovations. Social infrastructure covers
institutions and equipment in the field of science, culture, social care, health care,

Julia ZIÓŁKOWSKA Article no 15.03 .02.0 10

92 physical culture, administration, public order as well as socio -political organizations
(Pakulska, 2013). From the event perspective, infrastructure provides the tangible
and intangible assets needed to successfully perform all the elements of
organization. Starting from the point of event planning there is a need for data and
information, followed by administrative and financial support, not to mention the
basic infrastructure needed for the functioning of each event venue. The quality of
infrastructure will be reflected in the event performance, also in terms of poss ible
competitors and the readiness of people to participate in events.
From the perspective of geography, human resources are seen as the
population of a given area, with its spiritual, intellectual and physical capabilities
to perform in work and consump tion (Kuciński, 1994). The notion of human
resources is linked with social capital which F. Fukuyama (2001:7) describes as
“an instantiated informal norm that promotes co -operation between individuals
(…). In the opinion of the same author “(…) it also is a byproduct of religion,
tradition, shared historical experience and other types of cultural norms” (ibidem).
Social links and initiatives are also in the core of social capital because they testify
of the ability to cooperate and reach common goals (Kuciń ski, 2013). In the field of
event studies several authors (i.e. Getz 1997; McCartney 2010; Arcodia & Whitford
2006) underline the importance of common work within an event, for the creation
of social capital. Voluntary work during local or regional events is especially
valuable as it helps to form strong bonds between the members of one community.
In the case of cultural events, social capital might be reinforced throughout the
reproduction and dissemination of local traditions and history. This phenomenon
can be observed during small -scale festivals or fairs when members of local
communities gather to show and sell their products or to participate in cultural
performances (i.e. traditional dances, songs and storytelling ). The empowerment
of local community and the development of cultural tourism can be reinforced by
the cultural exchange between tourists and residents (Razaq, 2003, cited by
McCarthy, 2010). On one hand taking active part in cultural events organization
builds the social capital of a given so ciety. On the other hand, if the level of social
capital is low, the possibility to organize a successful local event is less probable.
The importance of the engagement of local inhabitants in the event can go far
beyond its’ organizational success. As sta ted by Moscardo (2007, cited in Pasanen
et al., 2009) if an event does not create community involvement, it is unlikely to
have much of an effort on regional development.
The tangible and intangible heritage of a (local) society forms a specific type of
resources not mentioned in the regular typologies, but very important from the
point of view of event research. Czerny (2005) underlines that heritage can be
exploited in the same way as other resources and used in different spheres of people
lives, includi ng economy, social interactions and culture. The commodification of
heritage that is reflected in the consumption of historical venues, ideas, experiences
and skills takes place during free -time activities (recreational or tourism -driven)
(ibidem). When va luable and attractive, cultural heritage can be used for business or
non-profit activities, including event organization.

Selected spatial aspects of cultural events volume 3 , no 2, 2015, pp.88-94

93
Cudny (2014) explains that festivals cause changes in physical and non –
physical space: new infrastructure (temporary or permanent) is built for the
performance of festivals and festivals are elements of social flows and interactions.
It is important to state that each event will not only depend of the resources
available in a given area, but it will also have an impact on the space and the
resources. This impact might act as well on those resources that are used for the
achievement of the event, as well as on those not used directly, but present within
the event localization.
Table 2 shows the possible inputs and outputs of planned c ultural events in
relation to specific spatial resources used in the organization process of events.

Table 2. The links between events and resources

Type
of resources Chosen
element Possible input
on the event Possible output
of the event
Natural
resources Cultural
landscape the tangible and intangible
“quality” of the event setting
transformation of the
landscape (positive or
negative)

Cultural
resources Infrastructure the venue of the event
technical support
organizational support
products and ser vices
accessibility construction of new
venues
development of new
linkages between
infrastructural elements
Human
resources Human and
social capital organization possibilities
event participants and staff
characteristics strengthening of social
bonds a nd local
cooperation
entertainment and
education possibilities
Heritage
resources Tangible and
intangible
heritage the event theme
the event venues new use for existing
objects
dissemination of intangible
heritage

The influence of the elements of space mentioned in Table 2 on cultural events
organization will reflect in the following areas: the opportunities and constraints of
event feasibility and the positive or negative impact of events. Getz (2003, 414 –
415) underlines that “(…) only so many events can exist in a given area owing to
competition for scarce resources (including money, venues, volunteers) and for
customers.” An interesting question to ask would be which of these resources and in
what degree are crucial for event organization. Would it b e possible to elaborate a
scale of their importance? Getz (2003, 419) also asks the question about “(…) the
extent to which certain types of events are resource -dependent or rooted in specific
environments.” Some events may be derived from local tradition s and based on local
resources and then strongly linked with a given space, whilst some may be more
independent of the natural or cultural resources typical for a given localization. In
the second situation it might be possible to “move” an event from one setting to
another without causing loss for the event itself, but probably causing some loss for
the area (and its’ resources) where it was organized in the first place.

Julia ZIÓŁKOWSKA Article no 15.03 .02.0 10

94 Conclusions
For every event organizer geographical space is source of resources nee ded
for a successful event achievement. From a geographic perspective it is interesting
to see the interaction between space and events and to assess the possible changes
resulting from this process. The aim of this paper was to start a reflection on how
chosen elements of space can affect the event organization. It was also a goal to
show several possible outcomes of events on space. The author is conscious that
without proper empirical data it is impossible to fully confirm the statements
included in the paper, but this theoretical reflection might be starting point for
further research.

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© GeoSport for Society , volume 3, no 2 /2015 , pp. 9 5-100, Art icle no 15.03.02.011

GEOSPORT FOR SOCIETY
Scientific Journal founded in 2014 under aegis of University of Oradea (Romania),
University of Debrecen (Hungary), University of Gdánsk (Poland)
ISSN 2393 -1353
Edited by Oradea University Press
1, University Street, 410087, Oradea, Romania

Journal homepag e: http://geosport.uoradea.ro

95

Women’s basketball at the Olympic Games

Vasile GRAMA1*, Ștefan MAROTI2, Vlad SIMINA3,

1. University of Oradea, Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, 1 University st., 410087
Oradea, Romania, e -mail: vasile.grama2014@gmail.co m
2. University of Oradea, Department of Physical Education, Sport and Physical Therapy, 1 University st., 410087
Oradea, Romania, e -mail: marotistefan@yahoo.com
4. University of Oradea, Department of Physical Education, Sport and Physical Therapy, 1 Unive rsity st., 410087
Oradea, Romania, e -mail: siminavlad_efs@yahoo.com

* Corresponding author

Article history: Received: 1 1.06.2015; Revised: 23.09.2015; Accepted: 20.11.2015, Available online: 04.12 .2015

Abstract . The article refers to the evolution of Women Basketball Olympic
Tournaments, trying to present and analyze these tournaments by associating the
information related with the study of basketball to mapping representation. In the first part,
the authors refer to a number of papers able to appr oach the research of sports as a result of
the common study of specialists in physical education and sports, and also geography. There
are also presented the main events that determined the inclusion of women basketball in the
Olympic Games program. The gr adual evolution of Women Basketball Olympic Tournaments,
the participation of national teams, the medals obtained are presented and analyzed by
associating the map with different ways of graphical representation.

Keywords : Basketball, women, O lympic Games

Introduction
The Olympic Games represent one of the major events of our days; they have
the highest audience as they are watched by millions of spectators and billions of
televiewers. Given their role in the modern society and their major im pact, the
various aspects related to the Olympic Games are subjects of interests for specialists
in multiple fields. Besides the researches that are specific to a certain scientific field,
a new series of researches that approach the phenomena from a multi disciplinary
perspective appeared. This kind of approach also includes collaborations between

Vasile GRAMA, Ștefan MAROTI, Vlad SIMINA Article no 15.03 .02.0 11

96 specialists from the geography and sports fields. Thus, in Romania, the first paper
of this type was published in 1938 (Mihăilă & Ulmeanu, 1938). Within the Babes –
Bolyai University of Cluj -Napoca, Faculty of Geography, under the guidance of the
professor doctor Surd Vasile, various doctorate thesis that approach sports from a
geographical point of vi ew were developed. (Sandor, 2005) and (Bogdan, 2009).
Moreover, various journals from Romania published papers written by both
specialists in geography and sports (Maroti & Ilieș, 1995; Stașac et al., 2005;
Sandor, 2003).
The spatial analysis studies of s ports have in many cases a multidisciplinary
character by completing and consolidating the scientific endeavor with issues and
methods specific to other domains (Iie ș et al, 2014 ).
Despite the above mentioned achievements, the consultation of the biograp hy
reveals that the existent resources were not fully used and developed. Given this
conclusion, we consider that a paper that approaches the women’s tournaments at
the Olympic Games, studied from the sports and geography perspective, is a topical
subject that can contribute to a thorough investigation of the studied phenomena.
“The principles which guide, the methods and tools which facilitate the geographic
analysis or the spatial analysis of a phenomenon or process and which represented
the basis of geog raphic scientific foundation, they can all be extremely useful in the
spatial analysis of sports activities under all their structural and manifestation
forms“(Iie ș et al, 2014, 9 ).
The geographical concepts of space and place are central not only to a
definition of sport but also to an enhanced understanding of sport`s significance
(Bale, 2003). The spatial perspective adds much to our knowledge of the history
of sport.

The era preceding the inclusion of the women’s basketball in the Olympic
Games progra mme
Sport, as social phenomenon, must always be understood and explained in its
historical, political, economic, social and cultural context (Buha ș, 2015 ).
The inclusion of the women’s basketball in the Olympic Games programme
was initiated in the 20’s by Alice Millat, president of the International Women's
Sports Federation, and re -discussed at the International Olympic Committee session
held in Os lo on February 28, 1935. The position adopted by the majority of the
participants was that the proposal would not be favored (***,1998b).
Other proposals for including the women’s basketball in the Olympic
programme were also presented in the International Olympic Committee sessions
held in Paris 1955, Baden -Baden 1963, Tokyo 1964, Madrid 1965, but the necessary
votes for approval were not obtained (***, 1998a).
In 1967, Teheran, within the 66th session, fifty -seven out of the present
members of the Intern ational Olympic Committee voted in the favor of declaring
the women’s basketball as an Olympic discipline. Therefore, according to the
Rule 29, basketball, together with athletics, rowing, gymnastics, swimming,
equestrian sports, shooting, archery, yachtin g and volleyball, would be one of the
women’s sports accepted at the Olympic Games. In September, 1972, in Munich,

Women ’s basketball at the Olympic Games vol 3, no 2, 2015, pp.95-100

97
during the 73rd session of International Olympic Committee has been approved
to organize, starting with Montreal, 1976, Olympic tournaments f or the women’s
basketball (***, 1998e).

The participation of the women’s team in the basketball Olympic
tournaments
The fact that the women’s basketball was included in the Olympic Games
programme had a significant influence on its direction and developm ent. During
the years that followed its inclusion in the Olympic programme the number of
female participants in this sport increased and the support received from the
national and international forums was consolidated. After it become an Olympic
discipline , the official national and international competitions or other activities
related to this sports discipline were given a lot of media coverage both by the
newspapers and the TV channels. All of this led to and increased impact of the
women’s basketball an d to an increased number of spectators and televiewers
interested in this sport.
Starting with the 67th session of the International Olympic Committee,
Mexico City, 1968, the evolution of the women’s basketball was influenced, besides
by the efforts of th e International Amateur Basketball Federation or of the national
Olympic committees and national federations, by the decisions taken by the
Olympic Games Study Commission (***, 1998c).
The Olympic basketball tournaments for the national women
representativ es were organized with the participation of six teams in the 1976,
1980 and 1984 Olympics, of eight teams in the Seoul and Barcelona Olympic
Games and of twelve teams in the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
Therefore, the women’s basketball reache d, from the point of view of the number
of teams and players, the level of the men’s basketball. The objective of the
International Olympic Committee and of the International Amateur Basketball
Federation was accomplished due to the support and the reactio ns of the
international sports forums that took into consideration the tendencies surfaced in
the modern society and in the Olympic sports during the past years, when the
emancipation and encouragement of women became compulsory in a
contemporary era (***, 1998d). The widening of the participation area in the
Olympic women’s basketball tournaments greatly contributed to the attainment of
the universality Olympic movement.
During the ten Olympics that included the women’s basketball in their
programme, thirt y-one teams participated. The teams that were the most present
were the teams from the Unites States of America and Russia (Russia, the Soviet
Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States) that had nine participations,
those of Australia and China that had seven participations, followed by South Korea
with six participations.
If we analyze the presence of these teams from the point of view of their
geographical origins, we conclude that 41.48% are from Europe, followed by 19.14%
from North America and 17.02% from Asia, 10.63% from Australia and Oceania,
6.38% from South America, 5.31% from Africa. The decisions of the International

Vasile GRAMA, Ștefan MAROTI, Vlad SIMINA Article no 15.03 .02.0 11

98 Olympic Committee were taken based on the propositions made by the Olympic
Programme Commission and the International Baske tball Federation, in order to
assist the access of the teams from every geographical area by including them in the
qualification tournament system of continental championships, by increasing the
number of teams accepted in the women’s Olympic basketball to urnament to eight
and then to twelve. Thus, a higher number of participants were registered when it
came to the national representatives from Africa, Asia, South America and
Australia/Oceania. If in Moscow, 1980, the percentage of the European teams was of
83.33%, after the different measures taken in order to broaden the participation
areas, between 1996 and 2012 the percentage varied from 25% in 1996 to 50% at the
Olympic Games from London, 2012.
During the ten Olympic women’s basketball tournaments, ten national teams
obtained medals. The highest number of medals, nine, was won by the United States
of America, followed by Russia with six medals. Only the teams from these two
countries succeeded to win first place. The distribution of medals according to
continents shows that the women’s basketball tournaments were dominated by the
representatives of Europe (11 medals) and North America (9 medals).
If we analyze the presence of these teams from the point of view of their
geographical origins, we conclude t hat 41.48% are from Europe, followed by
19.14% from North America and 17.02% from Asia, 10.63% from Australia and
Oceania, 6.38% from South America, 5.31% from Africa. The decisions of the
International Olympic Committee were taken based on the proposition s made by the
Olympic Programme Commission and the International Basketball Federation, in
order to assist the access of the teams from every geographical area by including
them in the qualification tournament system of continental championships, by
increa sing the number of teams accepted in the women’s Olympic basketball
tournament to eight and then to twelve. Thus, a higher number of participants were
registered when it came to the national representatives from Africa, Asia, South
America and Australia/Oc eania. If in Moscow, 1980, the percentage of the European
teams was of 83.33%, after the different measures taken in order to broaden the
participation areas, between 1996 and 2012 the percentage varied from 25% in
1996 to 50% at the Olympic Games from Lon don, 2012.
During the ten Olympic women’s basketball tournaments, ten national teams
obtained medals. The highest number of medals, nine, was won by the United
States of America, followed by Russia with six medals. Only the teams from these
two countries s ucceeded to win first place. The distribution of medals according to
continents shows that the women’s basketball tournaments were dominated by
the representatives of Europe (11 medals) and North America (9 medals).

Women ’s basketball at the Olympic Games vol 3, no 2, 2015, pp.95-100

99

Figure 1. Women’s basketball at the O lympic Games

Conclusions
Even though basketball is the first team sports game practiced by women
and even though its inclusion in the Olympic Games programme was initiated in
1920, the favorable decision of the International Olympic Committee was adopted
only during the 73rd session from Munich, 1972.
During the ten Olympic Games that included the women’s basketball, thirty –
one national teams participated. Their distribution on continents highlights the
predominant role played by Europe (41.48 %). The othe r continents present
percentages between 19.14% by North America and 5.31% by Africa.
From the participant countries only 10 succeeded to win medals. Most of the
medals (66.66%) were won by the teams from Europe (36.66%) and from North
America (30%).

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