SPORTS POLICY FACTORS LEADING TO INTERNATIONAL SPORTING SUCCESS Network for international comparative studies on high performance sport

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1 SPORTS POLICY FACTORS LEADING TO INTERNATIONAL SPORTING SUCCESS Network for international comparative studies on high performance sport ABOUT SPLISS Veerle De Bosscher, - Vrije Universiteit Brussel Maarten van Bottenburg, Utrecht University Simon Shibli, - Sheffield Hallam University Hans Westerbeek, Victoria University Jasper Truyens, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

2 1. Introduction: SPLISS, a network of research cooperation in high performance sport policies SPLISS At the end of 2002 a consortium of research groups from three nations (Belgium, the Netherlands and United Kingdom) initiated an international comparative study on elite sports policies. These researchers expressed common needs, all from their own perspective, to fill the gap in scientific research on the relationship between elite sport policies and international sporting success and to benchmark their nation against competitors. Their common purpose was reflected in the name SPLISS, which stands for Sports Policy factors Leading to International Sporting Success. A joint research project was established, of which the first stage was an overall comparison of elite sport policies in six nations: Belgium, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom. The study resulted in a Ph.D (2007) and in a jointly authored book (2008): De Bosscher, V., Bingham, J., Shibli, S., Van Bottenburg, M., De Knop, P. (2008). The global Sporting Arms Race. An international comparative study on sports policy factors leading to international sporting success. Aachen: Meyer & Meyer. ISBN: (173p) De Bosscher, V.(2007). Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success. Published doctoral thesis. Brussel: VUBPRESS. ISBN (347p) A range of other publications and communications during international congresses related to the SPLISS work, are provided in appendix 1. Key points The key points of the 2008 SPLISS-study are characterised by four elements as outlined below. The specific focus on the relationship between policies and success and accordingly increasing insights in the factors that shape elite sport policies and the pathways to success in different nations. 2

3 The development of a theoretical model of sport policy factors leading to international sporting success, that has been operationalised through over 100 critical success factors (CSF). The development of a methodology to measure the competitive position of nations in elite sport quantitatively by aggregating CSF into a final percentage score (see SPLISS brochure). The involvement of the main stakeholders in elite sport as part of our research methodology athletes, 273 coaches and 71 performance directors in the sample nations were surveyed in order to measure the competitive position of the nations in nine policy pillars Comparison with other competitors is very common in the economic sector, but in sport it is rather new. Further research is required to explore this field. Results of the SPLISS study The SPLISS study has resulted in a range of new insights into the key success drivers, and the way elite sport policies of nations evolve in an environment of increasing competition. Furthermore the SPLISS study has helped high performance organisations and governments in the respective nations to determine the keys of effective elite sport policies, and possible drivers for future investment. Finally, the SPLISS study has delivered some first steps in improving theories on the sports policy factors leading to international sporting success, and has devised a method to measure the competitive position of nations in elite sport. This study mainly served as a pilot study and is only a preliminary stage in increasing insights into theoretical, methodological and political developments in high performance sport policy research, along with other recent studies that have been developed in the past few years (see among others Bergsgard, Houlihan, Mangset, et al., 2008; Digel, Burk, Fahrner et al., 2006; Green & Houlihan, 2005; Houlihan & Green, 2008; Oakley & Green, 2001). 3

4 Effects on elite sports policies: some quotes from the consortium team: United Kingdom, Jerry Bingham, research director UKSport In the UK, it has been difficult to answer the frequently-asked question: how does our sports system compare with that of other nations? However, as a result of the SPLISS project, we finally have some robust comparative information on this subject. Looking across the nine policy areas that comprise the SPLISS framework, the results for the UK are generally encouraging, providing us with a degree of assurance that we are doing the right things. The two policy areas in which we appear to have performed less well are those of talent development and the coordination of scientific research. In reality, we have already identified these as areas needing attention, and the new investment we are now making in them may be seen as a test of the reasonableness of the SPLISS analysis. Belgium (Flanders), Bert Anciaux, Flemish Minister of sport and Ivo Van Aken, elite sports manager In Belgium (Flanders) the SPLISS research has had an enormous impact on the direction of future policy choices. It has given policy makers and federations very useful insights into the strengths and weaknesses of our elite sports policies compared with other nations. The study has made policy makers aware of the determinants of competitiveness and the nine pillar model is now used as a basic framework for our /16 policy plan. Most of all, the study keeps policy makers alert to international developments, and has given insights into the characteristics of effective elite sport policies and how nations can develop a competitive advantage. We have also learned that it is difficult to implement good practice from other nations directly, but nonetheless it inspires us to innovate and develop our own ideas. Whilst the SPLISS project is a very welcome starting point in providing information on national elite sport policies at an overall level, even more research is needed. In particular we would very much welcome more in depth analysis and comparisons at a sport by sport level. 4

5 Follow-up As a follow-up the SPLISS group will continue their project in several directions and invites researchers, governments, Olympic Committees, national sport agencies and national governing bodies 1 /federations and international organisations to be involved in future studies if their interest is in one of the three areas outlined below. - Policy purpose: to benchmark your nation against competitors, -both at an overall and a sport specific level, for able-bodied and disability sports, to gain insights into the competitiveness of your nation and to get a better understanding of good governance in elite sport. To achieve a win-win situation for your nation by learning from other competitors. - Research purpose: to develop theories on the key success factors and methods to compare nations in elite sport and to measure the competitiveness of nations in elite sport (both at an overall and a sport specific level, for able-bodied and disability sports). - Networking: to develop a team of researchers and high performance experts who cooperate, have meetings and seminars on high performance sport policy research and common interests; and to offer a forum for other researchers to spread and communicate their high performance research. - Marketing: to develop a world competitiveness ranking for elite sport policy, in order to articulate the value of elite sport of your own and other countries to the population and to evaluate your competitive position in elite sport policy in an international context. The purpose of this document is to invite researchers and policy makers (governments, national sport agencies, Olympic Committees, national governing bodies etc.) who are interested in cooperating in further SPLISS studies. Participation could be at either an intensive level, by taking part in the SPLISS-meetings to prepare and realise the studies; or either at a less labour-intensive level, by just conducting the research in your own nation (in cooperation with a researcher), using the methods and research instruments prepared by the SPLISS group. The nations that have been compared in the 2008 publication, all have expressed an interest to be involved in future SPLISS research projects: Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, United Kingdom and Italy. Researchers and policy makers from a number of other countries have already demonstrated a keen interest in joining this 1 Note that national governing bodies are synonymous to national sport organisations and federations. These terms are used differently in distinct nations and regions. National Governing Bodies (NGBs) manage eligibility, rules and championships for individual sports. They sanction competitions in its country and those competitions follow NGB rules (De Bosscher et al., 2008) 5

6 study (e.g. Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland). It is the aim of the SPLISS group to involve nations worldwide and to develop different research strategies depending on the individual needs of researchers and policy makers. This document contains a number of research proposals, all with their indicative rationale, methods and purposes. It is aimed at a wide forum of people with common interests and is meant to be a discussion document. Any particular interests, comments or suggestions can be addressed to the SPLISS secretary (see contact details below). 2. SPLISS mission The mission of the SPLISS group is to create a sustainable international network that coordinates, develops and shares expertise in innovative high performance sport research at the meso-level (policy level) in cooperation with other policy makers, NOCs, national and international organisations, and researchers worldwide. The SPLISS studies are characterised by using recognised good practice that can be used by nations to benchmark their policies and to measure their competitive position; furthermore they aim to increase the social relevance of research by developing theories, methods and strategies to measure and compare elite sport policies of nations. Each study endeavours to achieve a win-win situation for every participating nation by maximising the policy relevance and learning effects. This is the purpose of benchmarking 2. By disseminating the results amongst performance directors, coaches and policy makers and by searching for practical applications, the aim is to reduce the gap between academic research and practitioners. It needs however to be noted that the SPLISS group will respect each nation s specific requests with regard to the publication of results. By creating research networks and research cooperation, the SPLISS group wants to offer opportunities for researchers and research institutes, policy makers, and stakeholders to create networks around high performance sport research and joint publications (e.g. by publishing jointly authored books), taking into account the specific desire of policy makers and possible funders. Furthermore the SPLISS projects may 2 Benchmarking can be interpreted as the continuous process of measuring products, services and practices against the toughest competitors or those companies recognized as industry leaders (David T. Kearns, Chief Executive officer, Xerox corporation, cited by Waalewijn & Kamp, B., 1994). Camp (1989) continues with: the search for industry best practices that will lead to superior performance On the other hand, no nation can be competitive in everything and every nation will be able to create learning effects in particular areas. 6

7 enable PhD students to realise some parts of the projects as integral parts of their doctoral studies, applied to their own context under supervision of a tutor within their research institute and eventually a SPLISS researcher. In this respect the SPLISS group is prepared to help research institutes with submissions for funding. Last but not least, in the longer term the use of the SPLISS forum can help to create your own networks and to stimulate recognisable research networks on high performance sport worldwide. 3. SPLISS follow up proposals The list discussed in the following sections are titles of individual research proposals for projects that will be developed by the SPLISS group during the next few years. For each project, separate proposals will be developed. Nations are invited to participate in either all of them, or in a sub-set of them. Each project requires different resources (varying from only a limited budget to pay for marginal costs to a conventional full cost research budget), as well as specific methodologies and timings. Nations, which have higher research ambitions than mentioned in this document, should not hesitate to share their thoughts and suggestions with the SPLISS group. The SPLISS consortium will be prepared to help in negotiations with policy makers, national or international organisations, and research institutes in order to assist in finding funding. Please do not hesitate to contact the secretary in this respect. SPLISS Project proposals Competitiveness of nations in elite sport: an international comparison of the overall elite sport policies and climate This is an extension of the Global Sporting Arms Race research, whereby elite sports policies at a national level are compared using: - evaluation of elite sport policies in nine pillars - comparison based on measurement (traffic light) and description of processes and strategies - including an elite sport climate survey with elite athletes and coaches in each nation Starting January 2011 (finished data collection by December 2011) contact: Veerle De Bosscher veerle.de.bosscher@vub.ac.be Competitiveness of nations in elite sport disciplines: athletics as a case study Data collection: May 2010 Contact: drs Jasper Truyens (as part of a PhD): jatruyen@vub.ac.be Veerle De Bosscher veerle.de.bosscher@vub.ac.be Competitiveness of nations in elite sport disciplines: tennis as a case study Contact: Data 2011 collection: 7

8 Drs. Jessie Brouwers (as part of a PhD) Jessie.Brouwers@student.bond.edu.au (joint PhD between Bond University (Australia) and Vrije University Brussels (Belgium) Veerle De Bosscher veerle.de.bosscher@vub.ac.be The following separate research projects are being considered: Competitiveness of nations in elite sport disciplines: summer and winter sports - Sports will be determined in cooperation with other nations - Currently preferences have been expressed towards swimming, cycling and tennis - Realisation will depend on availability of funding and PhD students Measuring the outcome of elite sport: an international comparison of the effects of elite sporting success on national pride and international prestige The relationship between elite sport and sport for all Competitiveness of nations in Paralympic sports Overall Sport by sport An international comparison of financial support for elite sport (pillar 1) Please note that nations who participate in part I, will automatically receive the cooperation in this specific study. This is an in depth analysis of one particular pillar. An international comparison of talent identification and talent development programmes (pillar 4) (at the national level and some sports more in depth) Please note that nations who participate in parts I and II, will automatically receive the cooperation in this specific study. This is an in depth analysis of one particular pillar. An international comparison of coach development programmes and coaches provisions (pillar 7) (at the national level and some sports more in depth) Please note that nations who participate in parts I and II, will automatically receive the cooperation in this specific study. This is an in depth analysis of one particular pillar. An international comparison of the social status of practising elite sport and being an elite athlete (pillar 5) Development of a world competitiveness elite sport policy ranking Please note that nations who participate in part I, will automatically be included in the world competitiveness ranking. The aim of this study is to develop a ranking system where nations can objectively compare themselves with other competitors (from a marketing viewpoint) and measure there competitive position (from a policy viewpoint) in order to help them in developing their future perspectives. A selection of criteria from part I (overall comparison) will be used to develop this ranking. In order to realise this ranking, this research will mirror to economic competitiveness rankings. Therefore at least 30 nations should be included in this study An international comparison of elite sport policies at the local (city) level 8

9 4. Funding of SPLISS research The SPLISS consortium group will take responsibility for: the guidance and mentoring of participating researchers; the research instruments; the comparative analysis of data; literature reviewing and analysis; and, the scientific procedures. SPLISS does not ask any financial contribution from the participating nations as a return for this coordinating work. This is paid by each consortium member and by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel as part of PhD and post doctoral funding. This is a similar model to the first SPLISS project which was completed in So far funding for the individual nations to collect the data domestically has not yet been confirmed. We recommend that each participating nation should apply for funding to cover the expenses that are related to this 'pump priming' work. It is our aim to establish projects at international levels that will make a positive difference to the nations that take part. We also believe that nations which want to improve their elite sport policies and which are interested in these ambitious SPLISS-projects (from their own perspective and at their own level of engagement) should be able to fund the elements of the research to which they subscribe. In the longer term the SPLISS consortium aims to find additional funds for extending the project, providing a coordination function, and eventually to support individual nations. From our previous experience we know that the funding required does not need to be extraordinarily high. Some parts of the SPLISS aims (e.g. sport by sport comparisons) only require limited funding and could be carried out with the help of postgraduate students. Other elements of the research are more time consuming, and may require the support of dedicated staff (e.g. the elite sport climate survey and competitiveness measurements) in order to achieve reliable data collection. It is possible, for nations which want to, to involve PhD-students on separate subjects and the SPLISS consortium group is prepared to help with supervision. Costs (depending on each nation): regular running costs for data collection (copies, mailing, mileage, telephone, ). Eventually personnel (interviews, data collection, data analysis, domestic report); master thesis students could participate in some parts of data collection and inputs in SPSS)

10 5. Researchers or research institutes as the drivers for creating partnerships Individual researchers or cooperating research institutes are the drivers of the SPLISSprojects. They need to ensure that the objectives of their funders, policy makers, NOCs, and national governing bodies are achieved and sufficiently addressed towards their particular context in order to maximise the outcomes for their country. The SPLISS group will assist researchers in this process. We recommend that policy makers or other organisations involved in high performance sport policies cooperate with a suitably experienced researcher in their own country. Apart from the general report that will be developed by the SPLISS group on each project and in cooperation with each participating member, we strongly advise researchers to write a separate report (in the own language), which addresses the particular points of interest for the own country. This will not only enhance the credibility of the researcher in the eyes of funding organisations, but will also help policies in the nation concerned by making use of scientific data in an applied manner. It should be noted that many research projects could be achieved with the help of postgraduate students, especially via the collection of data through interviews and secondary data analysis. Time invested by researchers may then be limited to the more higher level processes such as data analysis and interpretation. We therefore advise researchers to start looking for interested students according to the timing outlined in the table above. The SPLISS-group will assist researchers with supervision of these students. This may be a viable solution in instances where researchers only have limited funds but still want to be involved in some parts of the SPLISS-projects. 10

11 5. Contact details For any questions about this SPLISS research project, please contact (secretary): Veerle De Bosscher Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium Or any other member of the SPLISS consortium group: Maarten van Bottenburg, Utrecht University, NL Simon Shibli, - Sheffield Hallam University, UK Hans Westerbeek, Victoria University, AUS Jasper Truyens, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, BE Institutional address: Vrije Universiteit Brussel Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy Department Sport Policy and Management (SBMA) Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: ** (secretary)/ (direct)/ (mobile phone) SPLISS consortium Partners 11

12 References Bergsgard, N.A., Houlihan, B., Mangset, P., NODLAND, S.I. & Rommetveldt, H. (2007). Sport policy. A comparative analysis of stability and change. London: Elsevier. Digel, H., Burk, V.,& Fahrner, M. (2006). High-performance sport. An international comparison. Edition Sports international, 9. Weilheim/Teck: Bräuer. Green, M., & Houlihan, B. (2005). Elite sport development. Policy learning and political priorities. London and New York: Routledge. Houlihan, B., & Green, M (2008). Comparative elite Sport Development. Systems, structures and public policy. London: Elsevier. Oakley B., & Green, M. (2001a). The production of Olympic champions: International perspectives on elite sport development system. European Journal for Sport Management, 8, Camp, R.C. (1989) Benchmarking: the search for industry best practices that lead to superior performance, ASQC quality press. Waalewijn, P., Kamp, B. W.C.M. (1994) Strategische benchmarking: wie durft de vergelijking aan? [Strategic benchmarking: who dares comparing?] (Rep. No. 9404) Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Erasmus University Rotterdam and Rotterdam institute for business economic studies. 12

13 Appendix 1: publications related to the SPLISS study Books 1. De Bosscher, V., Bingham, J., Shibli, S., van Bottenbug M., De Knop, P. (2006). Readers Digest. SPLISS. Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success. London: UKSport 2. De Bosscher, V.(2007). Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success. Published doctoral thesis. Brussel: VUBPRESS. ISBN (347p) 3. De Bosscher, V., Bingham, J., Shibli, S., Van Bottenburg, M., De Knop, P. (2008). The global Sporting Arms Race. An international comparative study on sports policy factors leading to international sporting success. Aachen: Meyer & Meyer. ISBN: (173p) International (peer reviewed) journals 1. De Knop, P., De Bosscher, V., van Bottenburg, M. (2002). Factors determining international success in high level sport: a comparative study between Flanders and the Netherlands [Succesbepalende factoren in topsport: vergelijkende voorstudie tussen Vlaanderen en Nederland]. Geneeskunde en sport, The Flemish/Dutch journal of sports medicine and sports science, 35 (5), De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Heyndels, B.(2003). Comparing relative sporting success among countries: create equal opportunities in sport. Journal for Comparative Physical Education and Sport, 3 (3), De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Aken, I., Heyndels, B. (2003). International comparison of tennis success. Medicine and science in tennis, 8 (3), De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Heyndels, B.(2003). Comparing tennis success among countries. International sport studies, 25 (1), De Bosscher, V., De Knop,P., van Bottenburg,M., Shibli, S. (2006). A conceptual framework for analysing Sports Policy Factors Leading to international sporting success. European Sport Management Quarterly, 6 (2), De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Bottenburg, M. (2007). An international comparison of elite sports policies in six nations. [Een internationale vergelijking van het topsportbeleid in zes landen]. Sport en geneeskunde. The Flemish/Dutch journal of sports medicine and sports science, 2, De Bosscher, V., Heyndels, B., De Knop, P., van Bottenburg, M. (2008). The paradox of measuring success of nations in elite sport. Belgeo, 9,2, De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Shibli, S., van Bottenbug M., (accepted). An analysis of homogeneity and heterogeneity of elite sport systems in six nations. International journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship. Special Edition on internationalization of sports and sport-related industries, January De Bosscher, V., De Knop,P., van Bottenburg,M., Shibli, S., Bingham, J. (accepted). Explaining international sporting success. An International comparison of elite sport systems and policies in six nations. Sport Management Review, January De Bosscher, V., De Knop,P., van Bottenburg,M (Accepted). Sports, Culture and Society: Why the Netherlands are successful in elite sports and Belgium is not? A comparison of elite sport policies. Kinsesiologia Slovenica (KinSI), scientific Journal on Sport Best Paper award was received at the SMAANZ conference, with the paper entitled: Sport policy excellence: An International comparison of elite sport systems and policies in six countries. SMAANZ, Raising the Bar. Promoting excellence in sport management. Fremantle (Australia), 27-29/11/2008 Communications at international congresses/ symposia integrally published in proceedings 13

14 1. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Heyndels, B. (2002). Using SOCIO-economic determinants to make an international comparisons of top level sports policies. Application for tennis. Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management, (pp ). Jyväskulä (Finland): EASM. 2. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P. (2002). The influence of sports policies on international success: An international comparative study. Proceedings Sport for All and Elite Sport: rivals or partners? (pp. 31). Ahrnem (Nederland): IOC 3. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P. (2002). l Influence des politiques sportives sur le success international: une etude comparative internationale. Sport pour Tous et Sport d élite : adversaires ou partenaires? Livre des résumés 9é Congrès mondial du sport pur tous. Ahrnem (Ne): IOC. 4. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Heyndels, B. (2003). The influence of sports policies on international success of countries: equal opportunities or not? In R. Calson, A. Wahlberg & E. Fors (Eds.) Proceedings of the 11th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management, (pp ) Stockholm: Tennbergs Reklam & Produktionsbyra. 5. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Aken, I., Heyndels, B. (2003). Comparing tennis success among countries. In M. Crespo,M. Reid &D. Miley (Eds.), Proceedings of the ITF worldwide coaches symposium, (pp.136). Villamoura (Portugal): ITF. 6. De Bosscher V., De Knop P., van Bottenburg, M., Leblicq S. (2004). Why the Netherlands are successful and Belgium is not? A comparison of the elite sports climate and policies. In EASM (Ed.). Proceedings of the 12 th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp ). EASM: Ghent. 7. Leblicq, S., De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P. (2004). The development of an elite sport index for Belgium. In EASM (Ed.). Proceedings of the 12 th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp ). EASM: Ghent. 8. De Knop, P., De Bosscher, V. (2004). How to create Win to Win models: Sports policy factors leading to international sporting success. In EOC (Ed.) Both side of medals - win to win models in sport. Proceedings of the Vth EOC Technical (pp ). Seminar. EOC: Warsaw. 9. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., van Bottenbug M., Shibli, S., Bingham, J., Gratton, C., (2005). An international comparison of the elite sport climate and policies in seven countries. In EASM (Ed) Proceedings of the 13 th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management The Power of Sport (pp78-81). Newcastle-Gateshead (England). 10. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., van Bottenbug M., Shibli, S., Bingham, J., (2006). Development of a model for international comparison of elite sports policies. In D. Papadimitriou (Ed), Proceedings of the 14 th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp ), Jyväskylä: EASM 11. Van Bottenbug M., De Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., Bingham, J., De Knop, P., (2006). An international comparison of the elite sport climate and policies in six nations. In D. Papadimitriou (Ed), Proceedings of the 14 th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp ), Jyväskylä: EASM 12. Shibli, S., Bingham, J., De Bosscher, V., Van Bottenburg, M., De Knop, P. (2006). Identifying successful nations in international sport: Lessons from a trans national study. In D. Papadimitriou (Ed), Proceedings of the 14 th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp ), Jyväskylä: EASM 13. De Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., Bingham, J., van Bottenbug M., De Knop, P. (2006). Facteurs de politique sportive lies à la reussite sportive internationale: une étude comparative internationale. Readers Digest. Brussels: author. 14. Legg, D., De Bosscher, V. (2006). How does Canada stack up? Comparing Canada s sport policies to five other nations. Proceedings of Coaching Research Symposium from the Coaching Association of Canada, November 2 nd, Vancouver, p De Bosscher, V., van Bottenburg, M., De Knop, P., Shibli, S., Bingham, J. (2007). A comparative analysis of Flanders (Belgium) in elite sport against six other nations. In EASM (Ed.) Sport events and sustainable development. Proceedings of the 16 th 14

15 Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp ). Torino, Italy: EASM 16. De Bosscher, V., van Bottenburg, M., De Knop, P., Shibli, S., Bingham, J. (2007). The global sporting arms race. During congress The Olympics in China The price of the medal. Aarhus, Denmark: Danish Institute for Sports Studies. 17. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., van Bottenburg, M. (2008). Homogeneity and heterogeneity of elite sport systems in six nations. During congress Targeting the International Audience. Challenges Facing Sports Management. Heilbronn Business School, Germany. 18. De Knop, P., De Bosscher, V., Van Bottenburg, M., Leblicq, S. (2008). Sports, culture and society: why the Netherlands are successful in elite sports and Belgium is not. In M.D. Topic, & S. Licen (Eds.). Sport, culture & Society. Proceedings of the 5 th conference of the European Association for Sociology of Sport (pp. 86). Bled, Slovenia: EASS. [Abstract] 19. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., van Bottenburg, M., Shibli, S., Bingham, J. (2008). Is there room for diversity in elite sport development of nations? In EASM (Ed.) Proceedings of the 17 th Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp.). Heidelberg, Germany: EASM 20. Truyens, J., De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P. (2008). Are Performances at young age a good predictor of later success? The Development of a Youth Elite Sport index. In EASM (Ed.) Proceedings of the 17 th (pp.). Congress of the European Association for Sport Management (pp.). Heidelberg, Germany: EASM 21. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Bottenburg, M., Shibli, S., Bingham, J. (2008). Sport policy excellence. A comparison of six nations. In SNAANZ (Ed) Raising the Bar. Promoting excellence in sport management (pp.77). Fremantle, Australia: SMAANZ Communications at international congresses/ symposia not published in proceedings 1. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, van Bottenbug, M., Leblicq, S. Rijnen, B. (2004). Why the Netherlands are successful and Flanders is not? A benchmark study on elite sports. Symposium for the European Student Seminar and Bloso, De Knop, P., De Bosscher, V., Leblicq, S. (2005). Recherche relative au le climat sportif de haut niveau en Flandres. Tijdens Colloque inaugural de la Chaire en Management des Organisations Sportives. Louvain-la-Neuve, 06/10/05 3. De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., van Bottenburg, M., Shibli, S. & Bingham, J. (2006). Facteurs de politique sportive lies à la reussite sportive internationale: une étude comparative internationale. [An international comparison of the elite sport policies and climate in six nations]. Trainerssymposium «l environnement du sport de haut niveau», Paris, [invited speaker] 4. Legg, D., De Bosscher, V. (2006). How does Canada stack up? Comparing Canada s sport policies to five other nations. Coaching Research Symposium from the Coaching Association of Canada, Vancouver, De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Bottenburg, M. (2007). Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success: An international comparative study. Tijdens Congres Nederland op Olympisch niveau Flevoland (Nederland), NOC*NSF, 14/02/ De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Bottenburg, M. (2007). Talentontwikkeling in international perspectief. Tijdens Congres Talentontwikkeling. Ahrnem (Nederland), NOC*NSF, 03/05/ De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Bottenburg, M. (2007). Het topsportsucces van Nederland en Vlaanderen in internationaal perspectief. Tijdens Congres Sportwetenschap en onderzoek, Sport, betekenis en beleving. Utrecht (Nederland), Mulier Instituut, 03-04/07/