Parkland Predators Travel Soccer Club
Fans and Spectators:
Social Impact in the World of Soccer
-Dr. J.C. Meeroff
Originally, Sports belonged to the world of play and leisure, but business elites, mass media and political and social leaders have recognized its potential for profit, disseminating propaganda and eliciting pride. Common people like sports because they are entertaining and provide a break from “real” life. Sports are a major component in daily life today. Whether it’s mentally, physically or spiritually, sports have a big impact on anyone’s life, especially, to the average individual. Sports contests offer excitement because the outcome is uncertain. Unlike the chaos of ordinary life, sports offer a structure with rituals and symmetry that gives people a sense of unity and completion. Sports rivalries invite fan to cheer and shout and spectators to watch.
Sports do have a positive impact in society. Participating in sports fitness increases fitness and health both physically and mentally. Sports consumerism helps the market and the economy. Furthermore, sports leads to integration through conflict. What people need to realize is how to utilize sports to make changes in society. In doing so, it may be possible to foster a better society through the power of sports.
Soccer is the world's most popular spectator sport and as such it requires the combination of four components or “legs” to function properly: The four legs are: players, coaches/managers, administrators and spectators.
In recent times we have notice a disintegration of one of the “legs” of organized soccer throughout the world. That phenomenon is very obvious at our own Ft Lauderdale Strikers NASL franchise. The audience has been reduced to fans in detriment of the spectators. Actually around the world, sport spectators have become solely indirect sport consumers who only watch games on TV or the internet from the privacy of their homes rather than attend the games in person (direct sport consumers).
There is a definitive difference between a fan and a spectator, although these terms are often used interchangeably. A fan follows and supports a particular team. A spectator (sport consumer) is there to watch the spectacle, but isn't always supporting a team. Sports fans create and shape the experience of sports. They are not passive receptors but active parts of the game itself. They influence action on the field of play. On the other side spectators are there to enjoy good play. They are "seeing" and "analyzing" the actions, sometimes in a disinterested way. Spectators can be very sophisticated; watchers know the nuances of acting or playmaking and enjoy the finesse and fine points of the game, art, and spectacle. You can often recognize them as they lean forward with intent stares and moving eyes. But in a sports context they remain passive in their interaction with the game; they observe, analyze and appreciate.
Sports fans create and shape the experience of sports. Fans cheer loudly and desperately impart emotional energy and support to the players. Being a sports fan is an existential choice. Being a fan involves a moral stance. It means acting in ways that impact others and the game.
But fanatism is purely emotional and somehow not related to quality or to sport consumerism. If the game of soccer is to survive, we need true spectators to attend the games, not only fans. We need those who appreciate the skills and abilities of the players. We need those who enjoy the artistic movements and the display of skills.
Further reading
Lever. J Soccer Madness 1983 The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Ill USA
Wann, D.L., Dolan, T. J., McGeorge, K. k., & Allison, J. A. (1994). Relationships
between spectator identification and spectators’ perceptions of influence, spectators’
emotions, and competition outcome. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology,
16, 347-364
Kenyon GS and McPhearson BD Becoming Involved in physical activity and sport: a process of socialization. In Rarick GL Ohysical activity. Human growtg and developmaent Chapter 12 pp 304-331. Academic Press Inc New York 1973
Kim, JW, James J D & Kim Y K. A model of the relationship among sport consumermotives, spectator commitment, and behavioral intentions Sport Management ReviewVolume 16, Issue 2, May 2013, Pages 173–185
EKG EVALUATION BEFORE PLAYING SOCCER
“A child deserves the right to play sports without the fear of sudden cardiac death. We have the technology to prevent and treat the condition – it is our moral obligation to cause change.” Steven Myers from the Center for Coronary Artery Anomalies at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston.
In the US one young athlete dies every 3 days due to cardiac sudden death. Most of these cases are fully preventable since they are due to congenital cardiac abnormalities producing electrical abnormalities of the heart that can be easily detected by a regular EKG.
Although most children and teenagers that suddenly collapse appear healthy, in reality, most had underlying congenital or acquired cardiac malformations.
To identify these kids, only a few countries, including Italy, Japan, and Israel, have set up screening programs. Since here in the US we still do not have such screening programs, we can start by including an EKG in the pre-participation physical exam required to accept the child into the athletic program.
Fortunately an EKG is not a costly test and can be performed mostly at any medical office and/or emergency medical facility. Furthermore, The Miami Children Hospital is offering a free EKG evaluation for children who want to participate in sports. (For more information or to schedule an appointment please call The Heart Program at Miami Children's Hospital (305) 662-8301). Holy Cross from Ft. Lauderdale is developing a similar program.
Let’s Parkland Predators be the leaders in preventive medicine and sports in Florida. I propose that before signing a player to a team, parents should have the child fully evaluated by a pediatrician which includes an EKG. This requirement is still not mandatory (but we are working on that). Nevertheless, we can be the first ones to implement it voluntarily and protect our children.