Dr. Luke Potwarka, GI faculty member and Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure studies, published “In Search of Inspiration: Re-thinking the Potential for Demonstration Effects” with the Sports Information Resource Centre. The article extends research discussions about the “demonstration effect”, which is a concept referring to the positive impacts of sporting events such as inspiring new participants in a sport, an increase in participation frequency, participants returning to a sport after a long hiatus, or participants switching from one sport to another.
Potwarka asserts in this article that researchers must consider the circumstances surrounding a sporting event in order to better understand the mechanisms and conditions of sporting events that are most likely to bring about the demonstration effect. He outlines five conditions and proposes how studying these will help sport administrators, researchers and policymakers set expectations, assess investments, and guide legacy investments.
“If sport researchers and event stakeholders wish to realize the full potential of demonstration effects, they must ensure spectator and participation opportunities before, during and after events are welcoming and accessible for everyone.”
– notes Dr. Potwarka in the article.