Enabling and constraining migration: the multiscalar management of temporary, skilled, international migration of English professional cricketers

This article progresses debates about how the process of international migration is operationalized. With a focus on the geographical concept of scale this article explores how individuals, organizations and policies interact to determine the characteristics of a migration flow. Using a case study of the temporary migration of English professional cricketers moving seasonally to Australia, it is revealed that there is a complex nexus of actors and institutions at the micro-, meso- and macro-scales that influence migration and can have contradictory impacts on migratory activity. Drawing on interviews with current and former English professional cricketers and a wide range of intermediaries it is shown how migration can both be enabled and constrained by different individuals and institutions in the home and destination context. The article contends that a multi-scalar approach is vital to more fully understand how migration flows are operationalized. The findings are pertinent to wider academic debates on the enablement, constraint and growing regulation of sports labour migration and skilled migration more broadly

Prediction of successful performance from fielding indicators in cricket : Champions League T20 tournament

The aim of this study was to examine the association between fielding indicators and successful performance in cricket. Ten teams qualified for competition in the Champions League T20 (2012, South Africa), which was observed and analysed. Looking at three fielding indicators including ground fielding, catching and return throw within the two different areas (inside and outside the 30yd circle). The Sportscode (Sportstec Ltd 3.5.3, Australia) software was used for data collection. A step-wise discriminant analysis was used for prediction of successful performance (winning and losing a match) from fielding indicators. The results showed that fielding indicators were significant predictors (χ2 = 10.60, df = 2, p < 0.01) of the match outcome. The results of a follow-up test showed that catches inside the 30yd circle (r = 0.81) and outside the 30yd circle (r = 0.85) were significant predictors of match outcome. In conclusion, the successful execution of the catching skill during a game, regardless of the location, could facilitate the team performance at the elite level. Implications of these findings for coaches include showing the importance of the catching skill to predict match outcome, therefore this should be focussed upon throughout the age groups to elite level in training

Sponsorship of junior sport development programs in Australia

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the nature and extent of unhealthy food, beverage, alcohol and gambling sponsors of children's sport development programs. Methods: Websites of junior development sport programs (n=56) associated with sporting organisations that received funding from the Australian Sporting Commission were analysed. Sponsors were considered unhealthy if they were alcohol or gambling companies or sold food and/or beverages that failed independent nutrition criteria. The websites of the sport development programs were also analysed for types of promotion. Results: There were 246 sponsors identified. Eleven (4.5%) sponsors were food, beverage, alcohol or gambling companies of which 10 (91%) were unhealthy. Surf Lifesaving (n=4) and athletics (n=3) websites had the highest number of unhealthy sponsors. Promotions associated with unhealthy sponsorship included logo placement on homepages (100%), naming rights (31%), logo on sport uniforms (27%) and branded participant packs (31%). Conclusions: The majority of food and beverage company sponsors in sport development programs are companies associated with unhealthy products. Two websites hosting junior development program information included an alcohol company sponsor and a gambling company sponsor. Implications: Unhealthy product sponsorship of children's sport should be addressed as part of a comprehensive regulation designed to reduce exposure to marketing of unhealthy foods