Modified Sports
Modified sports can take many forms but are generally designed to be an introductory, or more accessible version, of a sport. Programs may focus on children, mature-age participants, persons with disability, the time poor, or people looking for more social (less competitive) opportunities.
Modified sports also help to develop general movement skills and basic techniques. Modified equipment and rules are used to match the capabilities (age, physical size, motor skill proficiency) of participants.
To modify something is to change or alter its form or qualities to some extent.1 Modified sports adapt the equipment and/or rules of traditional sports to match the needs and capabilities of participants [e.g. age, physical size, motor skill proficiency, time available].
Why modify a sport?
Modifying a sport allows the governing organisation to offer a single product (i.e. sport) in several different (but related) formats to suit a wide range of needs.
Modified sports provide structured, age and developmental skills-appropriate ways of introducing sports, although the element of 'competition' may be de-emphasised. In practice, modified sports offer a fun and socially relevant activity that is designed to develop movement skills and encourage participation in the targeted sport, and a wide rage of sports in general.
Children
Modified sports programs for children are designed to provide an introduction to the sports they represent.
Persons with disability
Modifying a sport to make it more inclusive for persons with disability is a fundamental part of the Paralympic movement.
Age
Modified sports for older individuals may offer activities that have lower physiological loads and more social elements.
Social
Social sports are modified to provide faster, less formal, and less competitive formats.
Gender
Sports can be modified to allow more equal competition by men or women, or to be gender inclusive, such as open, mixed, or gender-neutral competitions.
Modified sports programs
Modified sports programs have created new opportunities for NSOs to recruit sponsors targeting specific markets (e.g. youth, women, or mature-aged participants), as well as partnering with school and community-based organisations to deliver their programs beyond the club-based network. Many of these programs have integrated the sponsor’s brand, offering promotional incentives, product give-aways, competitions, and prizes. Increasingly, these programs have an online presence with websites specifically developed to attract participants and promote the sport’s suite of programs.
REFERENCES
- “modify, opens in a new tab”, Macquarie Dictionary, (accessed 28 October 2024).
Last updated: 22 December 2023 Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer
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