(Re-)Imagining transformation in sport : black male rugby players' experiences of model-C schools

Date
2020-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University.
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Transformation in rugby continues to be a contentious issue in South Africa. Despite the millions that have been spent on bringing facilities and coaching to underprivileged areas, black people continue to be grossly under-represented; and rugby continues to be seen as a white sport. This study explores the experiences of black rugby players at former Model C schools in Cape Town, in order to understand what factors either facilitate or constrain their inclusion within their schooling environments. As the main feeders into professional rugby players, Model C schools need to improve on both their imagining and practice of transformation for there to be changes at the professional and national level of rugby. The findings and recommendations of this study should give policy makers and researchers a deeper understanding of the benefits and short comings of the current way in which transformation measures are imagined and applied within school settings and the impact of this on transformation in sport more broadly. Critical Race Theory and W.E.B du Bois’ concept of “Double Consciousness” were used as the theoretical frameworks to analyse the findings. I conducted semi-structured interviews with school-attending black rugby players (N=10); I then used thematic analysis to analyse the data. The findings are presented under the five main themes that provide insight into the experiences of black rugby players at Model C schools, namely Black Students’ Experiences of Assimilation, Relationships with Black and White Peers, Relationships with Coaches and Teachers, Tactical Magician, and Transformation and the Way Forward. Ultimately, the findings in this study indicate that interpersonal relationships and the racial ideologies that a school perpetuates are important factors in the experiences of inclusion/exclusion of black rugby players at Model C schools. Keywords: Transformation; Assimilation, Double Consciousness; Critical Race Theory; Rugby; Model C schools; South Africa; Cape Town.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Transformasie in rugby is steeds 'n omstrede saak in Suid-Afrika. Ondanks die miljoene wat daaraan bestee is om fasiliteite en afrigting na minderbevoorregte gebiede te bring, bly swart mense steeds onderverteenwoordig; en rugby word steeds as 'n wit sportsoort gesien. Hierdie studie ondersoek die ervarings van swart rugbyspelers by voormalige Model C-skole in Kaapstad, om te verstaan watter faktore hul insluiting in hul skoolomgewings fasiliteer óf beperk. As hoofvoeders van professionele rugbyspelers, moet Model C-skole hul verbeelding en transformasiepraktyk verbeter sodat daar veranderinge op die professionele en nasionale vlak van rugby kan plaasvind. Die bevindinge en aanbevelings van hierdie studie behoort beleidmakers en navorsers 'n dieper begrip te gee van die voordele en tekortkominge van die huidige manier waarop transformasie-maatreëls binne skoolomgewing verbeel en toegepas word, en die gevolge hiervan op sporttransformasie in die breë. Kritiese rasteorie en W.E.B du Bois se konsep van 'dubbele bewussyn' is as teoretiese raamwerke gebruik om die bevindings te ontleed. Ek het semigestruktureerde onderhoude gevoer met swart skoollopende rugbyspelers (N = 10); Daarna het ek tematiese analise gebruik om die data te ontleed. Die bevindinge word aangebied onder die vyf hooftemas wat 'n insig bied in die ervarings van swart rugbyspelers by Model C-skole, naamlik die ervarings van swart studente van assimilasie, verhoudings met swart en wit eweknieë, verhoudings met afrigters en onderwysers, taktiese towenaar en transformasie en die pad vorentoe. Uiteindelik dui die bevindings in hierdie studie aan dat interpersoonlike verhoudings en die rasse-ideologieë wat 'n skool voortduur, belangrike faktore is in die ervarings van die insluiting / uitsluiting van swart rugbyspelers by Model C-skole. Sleutelwoorde: Transformasie; Assimilasie, Dubbele Bewussyn; Kritiese Rasteorie; Rugby; Model C-skole; Suid-Afrika; Kaapstad.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
Transformation in sports -- South Africa, Rugby players, Black -- South Africa -- Cape Town, Rugby players, Black -- Psychology, Discrimination in sports, Segregation in education -- South Africa, Racism in sports -- South Africa, UCTD
Citation