This thesis explores the team identification of fans of a new sport team, using social identity theory. As there is limited research on fans of new sport teams, this study sought to redress this situation by seeking to explain and measure new team identification. Through investigating new team identification, this study extends current applications of social identity theory and understanding of fans of a new sport team. Additionally, by measuring new team identification, this thesis contributes a valid and reliable measure of the construct, and discovery of key themes driving the formation and development of new team identification. A mixed-method research design was used to investigate the central thesis topic. A case study of members of a new sport team, Sydney FC, provided the sample population. The research design included two surveys, administered at the end of the new team’s first and second seasons, respectively, in addition to twenty-one interviews undertaken to deepen understanding of new team identification. The Sports Spectator Identity Scale (SSIS) was used to measure new team identification and test for differences in identity strength based on participant characteristics. Results indicated that three defining behaviours provided the basis for the formation of new team identification. These were termed: Football first, Origin and Occasion. Measurement of new team identification using the SSIS validated the model in a new team context; however, the value of victory and the identification of rival groupings did not relate strongly to the construct. Member identity strength was significantly influenced by age, salary, membership category and games attended. Five behaviours underpinned the development of new team identification; these were termed: Searching, Expression, Eagerness, Names and Faces, and Spruiking. Social identity theory provided a useful framework to explore the formation and extent of new team identification. The formation of new team identification was strongly influenced by support of football, in this case. The implementation of the SSIS to measure new team identification extended its previous applications. Participant characteristics exerted a clear influence on the strength of new team identification. Members engaged in additional teamrelated behaviours as their new team identification increased and they developed multi-faceted and socially important bonds. Stemming from the key thesis findings, the conceptual outcomes provided a significant contribution to current literature exploring members of new sport teams. Furthermore, the nuanced differences between identification with new and established teams provide a distinct agenda for future research into new sport teams.

This study examines football fan identity and identification within the Nationwide football league in England. A preliminary examination of the literature concludes that research on fan identity with sports teams in general, focuses primarily upon the behavioural consequences of fan identification. More specific research on the football fan concentrates predominantly upon either the F.A. Premier League or the deviant fan. The research thus attempts to fill a void in knowledge by examining football fan identification of fans of less successful football teams, using a social identity theory framework. Employing a mixed-methods research design, and an embedded case study approach, the study investigates those factors that influence fan identification at Luton Town Football Club. Methods used were those of observation/participant observation, a large scale fan survey, and indepth semi-structured interviews with fans. As part of the fan survey, the sport spectator identification scale (Wann and Branscombe, 1993), revealed a fan population that was highly identified with Luton Town. Levels of fan identification were similar across age, gender, and length of support of the club. Subsequent survey and interview data allowed six themes related to this fan identification to emerge: these being the extent of fan identification; the antecedents of fan identification; the maintenance of fan identification; the effects of fan identification upon behaviour; the influence of the cultural identity within which fan identities are enacted; and the relationship between the fan and the football club. Analysis of these themes yields a model of football fan identification which can be adapted to fans of other football clubs, or fans within other contexts. It was concluded that whenever such identification provides positive social and psychological consequences for fans, levels of identification with the club remain high. For these fans, it is the process of identification with the club that is the most important component of fandom. By contrast, where the individual derives fewer benefits from fandom, identification remains low. For such less identified fans, other factors, such as the quality of facilities or team performance, become more meaningful. The findings from the study indicate that social identity theory is an appropriate framework with which to explore the concept of football fan identification.

This thesis explores the team identification of fans of a new sport team, using social identity theory. As there is limited research on fans of new sport teams, this study sought to redress this situation by seeking to explain and measure new team identification. Through investigating new team identification, this study extends current applications of social identity theory and understanding of fans of a new sport team. Additionally, by measuring new team identification, this thesis contributes a valid and reliable measure of the construct, and discovery of key themes driving the formation and development of new team identification. A mixed-method research design was used to investigate the central thesis topic. A case study of members of a new sport team, Sydney FC, provided the sample population. The research design included two surveys, administered at the end of the new team’s first and second seasons, respectively, in addition to twenty-one interviews undertaken to deepen understanding of new team identification. The Sports Spectator Identity Scale (SSIS) was used to measure new team identification and test for differences in identity strength based on participant characteristics. Results indicated that three defining behaviours provided the basis for the formation of new team identification. These were termed: Football first, Origin and Occasion. Measurement of new team identification using the SSIS validated the model in a new team context; however, the value of victory and the identification of rival groupings did not relate strongly to the construct. Member identity strength was significantly influenced by age, salary, membership category and games attended. Five behaviours underpinned the development of new team identification; these were termed: Searching, Expression, Eagerness, Names and Faces, and Spruiking. Social identity theory provided a useful framework to explore the formation and extent of new team identification. The formation of new team identification was strongly influenced by support of football, in this case. The implementation of the SSIS to measure new team identification extended its previous applications. Participant characteristics exerted a clear influence on the strength of new team identification. Members engaged in additional teamrelated behaviours as their new team identification increased and they developed multi-faceted and socially important bonds. Stemming from the key thesis findings, the conceptual outcomes provided a significant contribution to current literature exploring members of new sport teams. Furthermore, the nuanced differences between identification with new and established teams provide a distinct agenda for future research into new sport teams.

Thesis (M.A.I.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-91). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-43). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-43).

Sports spectators is free entertainment for millions of people around the world. Here I will focus on football spectators who have in their heart the club SK Slavia Praha, who is one of the oldest football club in our country and have a fan base. As the name suggests, I will be interested in the phenomenon of a football fan, which differs from the viewer, among other things, that he identifies with his club. The main aspect of this work will be a comparison of two historical sections, the period before and after the fall of the communist regime in 1989 and Police supervision is connected. I will also be interested in the relationship to the biggest rival within AC Sparta Praha, or the possibility of club artifacts, which are now available in a wealth of, but always be. Even fans have their asociations. Aside from the fact that they are associated fan support such as an expert and tribune, which have great influence as a club support and at the end of the work focusing on their relationship to the club, why they chose Slavia and what it means for them. For this work I chose the method of qualitative research, which oral history and field research, which I found due to the nature of the work appropriate. Key words: sports spectators, SK Slavia Praha, football fans, oral history

Abstract not available

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:00:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4925.pdf: 1571658 bytes, checksum: ceae5e46cdbfa0f53a7762832184f48e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-24 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Football has been known as an arena marked by masculinity, but in a very particular manner, mainly heterosexual. That could be explained through the way the game has been constructed, in a defined performance focused on what would be inheriting to a condition of what is ideally understood to be a man. In that context, the conformation of the bodies to the practice of football in many countries, especially Brazil, induced the idea that it a sport that is neither suitable nor desirable to the female body. Therefore, the women have been reduced to spectators and their entry in that universe restricted to what could be considers appropriate to a woman. However, we have witnessed a continuous subversion of that space and its representations, which goes from the amount of women in stadiums to the number of women who have professionally inserted themselves in many areas in the sport, insofar as if football can be understood as an institution that for some thinkers expresses the Brazilian society on the symbolic plan, understanding the role played by women in that universe and in what way that space is occupied can be very relevant. In that sense, the study of such roles, as players, referees, journalists and supporters may reveal different nuances of a new spectrum of representations formulated by old and new actors that operate in that space. / O futebol historicamente foi reconhecido como uma arena demarcada pela masculinidade, mas não qualquer masculinidade, uma masculinidade que se não exclusiva, é predominantemente heterossexual. Isso se justificaria pela maneira como se constituiu a prática do jogo, caracterizada por uma performance bastante definida e voltada para aquilo que seria inerente a uma condição do que se entende idealmente como ser homem . Nesse contexto, a própria conformação dos corpos para a prática do futebol em muitos países, em especial no Brasil, induziu a ideia de que esse seria um esporte pouco adequado e desejável ao corpo feminino. Deste modo, às mulheres restou o papel de, no máximo, espectadoras, e a entrada no universo do futebol foi restrita àquilo que era considerado apropriado a uma mulher. Entretanto, temos assistido a uma crescente e contínua subversão deste espaço e representação subversão esta que vai desde o número de mulheres que frequentam os estádios até as profissionais que se inserem nas mais diversas áreas do esporte, de modo que se o futebol pode ser entendido como uma instituição, que para alguns autores expressaria no plano simbólico a sociedade brasileira, compreender o papel ocupado pelas mulheres neste universo e de que maneira este espaço é conquistado pode ser igualmente relevante. Nesse sentido, o estudo dos papéis assumidos pelas mulheres no futebol, seja como jogadoras, árbitras, jornalistas e torcedoras pode revelar diferentes nuanças de um novo espectro de representações formuladas por novos e antigos atores que operam nesse espaço.

Ce travail de recherche porte sur l’engagement des supporters de football ultras. La plupart des recherches sur les supporters de football dégagent deux modèles de supportérisme« extrême » par rapport au supportérisme traditionnel : le modèle anglais (hooligans) et le modèle italien avec les groupes de supporters ultras. Ces derniers sont constitués en association de loi 1901 dont les membres les plus actifs sont très majoritairement des jeunes hommes de 15 à 30 ans. Leur manière de supporter repose sur une culture partisane et des activités propres (réalisation d’animations sur l’ensemble de la tribune, recours à des chants et des gestuelles spécifiques, utilisation d’engins pyrotechniques, organisation de déplacements,etc.). Cette recherche propose une étude détaillée du processus de constitution du collectif qu’est le groupe ultra et de son fonctionnement, à travers l’angle de la sociologie de la déviance et des notions de « sous-culture » (codes, règles, langage) ou celle de « carrière »(structure hiérarchisée, différents statuts, réputation). Mais l’objectif de ce travail est de dépasser une lecture monographique qui s’en tiendrait à la seule étude du fonctionnement interne du groupe ultra. Cette recherche s’inscrit ainsi dans une conception interactionniste de la déviance qui nécessite d’analyser l’action des déviants – celle des ultras - mais aussi celledes personnes qui réagissent à cette déviance, en l’occurrence celles des agents des services répressifs ou chargés de la sécurité des stades. Ce travail se propose de décrire et d’analyser les interactions entre les ultras, les groupes de supporters « adverses » et les acteurs de la sécurité (policiers, stadiers, directeurs de sécurité des stades) en privilégiant une ethnographie des situations et une description détaillée des pratiques sociales des ultras. En développant« une perspective en terme de monde social » (Strauss) nous nous efforçons d’appréhender le spectacle des ultras comme une production collective, sans cesse négociée et ré-ajustée par rapport à celle des autres acteurs et institutions publiques. Cette perspective permet également de travailler la façon dont les pratiques sociales et « culturelles » des ultras sont affectées notamment par le processus de criminalisation des supporters de football : les supporters ultras sont, en effet, devenus des « délinquants de stades » et la police s’est spécialisée dans la lutte contre ce phénomène sportif et urbain. Les supporters sont désormais surveillés,identifiés, fichés, parfois « interdits de stade » ou incarcérés. Dans le cadre de cette recherche,nous avons suivi l’évolution de ce monde contraint de s’ajuster et de s’adapter à ces différentes évolutions. L’objet de cette recherche est de décrire les processus sociaux qui traversent au quotidien le monde des ultras et qui provoquent sa segmentation et fragmentation en plusieurs « sous-mondes » (celui des interdits de stades, des supporters« indépendants » etc.). En mobilisant les outils descriptifs et analytiques de la sociologie interactionniste qualitative, ce travail entend prolonger la discussion avec les Culturals Studies, dont les travaux ont historiquement alimenté la majorité des travaux sur le supportérisme.Cette recherche repose sur un travail de terrain ethnographique mené par observation participante, principalement parmi les supporters ultras stéphanois – les Green Angels et les Magic fans-, et par entretiens semi-directifs auprès d’ultras et d’acteurs de la sécurité(policiers, stadiers, etc.) en France et à l’étranger. Elle s’appuie aussi sur l’analyse de nombreux documents indigènes, d’articles de presse et mobilise la photo-ethnographie. / This work of research deals with the ultras football fans' engagement. Most of there searches about football fans reach two models of "extreme" sports fanaticism in comparison with the traditional sports fanaticism: the English model (hooligans) and the Italian one with the ultra supporters' groups. The latter are formed in association under the French Law of 1901, which the most active members are predominantly young men between 15 and 30 years old. Their way of supporting is based on a partisan culture and own activities (creation of activities in the whole terraces, resort to songs and specific gestures, use of pyrotechnic devices, organisation of travels, etc.).This research proposes a detailed study of the creation process of the collective that forms the ultra group and its functioning, through the sociology angle of the deviance and the"subculture" notions (codes, rules, language) or the one of the "career" (ranked structure,different status, reputation). Nevertheless, the objective of this work is to go beyond amonographic reading that would just give a study of the internal functioning of the ultragroup. This research falls within an interactionist conception of the deviance which requests an analysis of the deviants' action - the ultras' one - but also the one of the persons who reactto this deviance, in this case, the action of the law enforcement officers or the agents in charge of the stadium security. This work aims to describe and analyse the interactions between the ultras, the "opposing" supporters groups and the security actors (policemen, football stewards,stadium security directors) by favouring an ethnography of situations and a detailed description of the ultras' social practices. By developing " a perspective in terms of social world" (Strauss) we endeavour to comprehend the ultras' show as a collective production,always negotiated and readjusted in relation to the one of the other actors and the public institutions. This viewpoint also enables to work on the way the ultras' social and "cultural"practices are affected notably by the process of the football supporters' criminalisation: the ultra supporters became, in fact, the "stadium delinquents" and police get specialised in the struggle against this sportive and urban phenomenon. The supporters are now kept undersurveillance, identified, filed, and sometimes "stadium banned" or incarcerated. As part of this research, we have followed the evolution of this world forced to fit and to adapt itself to different developments. The purpose of this research is to describe the social processes that go through the ultras' world and causes its segmentation and fragmentation in several "subworlds"(the stadium banned's one, the "independent" supporters' one, etc.). Mobilising the descriptive and analytical tools of the qualitative interactionist sociology, this research aims to extend the discussion with the Culturals Studies, which works have historically fed most ofthe studies about the sports fanaticism. This research rests upon an ethnographic field work driven by participant observation,principally among the ultra supporters from Saint-Etienne - the Green Angels and the Magic fans -, and by semi-structured interviews with ultras and security actors (policemen, stewards,etc.) in France and abroad. It is also based on the analysis of numerous native documents,press articles and mobilise the photo-ethnography.