Quantitative data was obtained through surveys (online and word document) and telephone interviews between September 2011 to May 2012. 11 coaches, eight performance directors and 161 athletes completed the survey. The low number of respondents in the performance director and coach groups limited possible quantitative analysis methods, due to reliability and validity. However, the existence of the SPLISS framework provided direction for descriptive analysis by comparing responses towards each pillar for each survey group.

Within pillar four (talent identification and development) and pillar five (athletic and post-career support), descriptive analysis revealed interesting discrepancies regarding the viewpoints of the different groups. In one specific example, the athletes believe they were identified as elite athletes by the national governing body between the ages of 16 to 18, whereas six out of eight performance directors noted athletes were identified as an elite athlete below or at the age of 13. Amongst coaches, there was no clear consensus of an age category with answers ranging from 11 to 25. However, seven coaches expressed that the identified age was too late. The lack of consistent recognition between the groups on the actual HPS identification age may indicate a communication problem within the talent identification process. It is possible that athletes are being identified without knowing it. Talent identification is an important step in the development of HPS athletes, yet it appears the process of identification is unclear to the athlete. This is just one example of differed understanding towards sport policy and the presentation will outline other areas where a lack of communication may be present. Increased effective communication between stakeholder groups may assist with the creation, clarification, and implementation of sport policy.

Funding structure is one of the fundamental factors that have influenced the success of the Norwegian sport and physical activity system. It is widely held that Norwegian sport authorities are presently operating a sport and physical activity model that balances elite sport development, for both winter and summer, while providing a sport system for the masses (Semotiuk, 2009). The successful balance between these two concepts has put Norway on the forefront internationally in the area of the national health promotion strategies and programming (Semotiuk, 2009). One can also assume there are considerable benefits to be realized through the sharing of these best practices internationally.

The objectives of this research study were: - To describe, interpret, and critically examine the Norwegian sport and physical activity model - To examine the philosophy, structure, relationship, and budgetary support for the “sport for all” and “high performance sport development” programming in Norway - To examine the role of government involvement and support for sport and physical activity in Norway

This grounded theory study used structured interviews in order to examine the Norwegian sport model (Strauss, 2008). The structured interviews were conducted in Oslo, Norway from May 17, 2011 to May 24, 2011 with representatives from government and non-government organizations responsible for overseeing sport and physical activity. Interviews were held with representatives from the following organizations: - Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports - Norwegian School of Sport Sciences - Olympiatoppen - Ministry of Culture, Department of Sport Policy - Oslo Idrettskrets

In addition, key government reports and sport policy documents were analysed. A further source of information included conference proceedings and presentations, thesis and dissertations, texts and newspaper editorials, and journal publications.

The balanced sport and physical activity model that Norway has implemented is one that must be examined in order to optimize global sport and physical activity system by providing elite athletes and individual citizens with an equal access and support to sport. Without a doubt, the information gathered from this investigation is a welcome addition to the current English language literature dealing with national sport and physical activity models.

The SPLISS model is based on the ideology of world competitiveness that is routinely used in economic studies (De Bosscher & Shibli & van Bottenburg & De Knop & Truyens, 2010). The theoretical framework used to develop the SPLISS model is based on the Porter’s five forces analysis framework developed by Michael Porter in 1979; threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of substitute products or services, bargaining power of buyers, rivalry among existing competitors (Porter, 2000). The SPLISS model is a nine pillar model that is evaluate and assess by primary stakeholders within the HPS environment; athletes, coachers, performance directors (De Bosscher & De Knop & van Bottenburg & Shibli, 2006).

The key questions that are prevalent within this research study are: • Can a sociocultural theory be applicable to explain the theoretical ideology of the SPLISS model? • Can a sociocultural theory explain the HPS environment and system? • Can a sociocultural theory be used within a comparative HPS model? • Can the combination of an economic theory and a sociocultural theory enhance the theoretical explanation of the SPLISS model?

This investigation used the research methods of content analysis and triangulation of all primary and secondary sources related to the topic. An extensive literature review was undertaken covering past journal publications on the area of the SPLISS model, the Porter’s five forces analysis framework, and the sociocultural theories such as the stakeholder theory and the social value theory. Further sources of information included documents published by the SPLISS consortium group.

Theoretical frameworks are important as they are the building blocks to explain a certain phenomenon or concept. By truly understanding and investigating the theories behind the SPLISS model, it will enhance the reliability and validity of the model. This research furthers the theoretical framework of the SPLISS model and advances the academic research that has been done on comparative HPS models and HPS systems.

The research study looks to answer how much have sport sociologists used quantitative research methodology within their academic work within the sociocultural area of sport. From the University of Leicester (nd), quantitative research is of an importance due to the following reasons: more reliable and objective, can use statistics to generalize a finding, often reduces and restructures a complex problem to a limited number of variables, looks at the relationships between variables and can establish cause and effect in highly controlled circumstances, tests theories or hypothesis, assumes sample is representative of the population, subjectivity of researcher in methodology is recognized less, less detailed than qualitative data and may miss a desired response from the participant.

For this investigation, the method of research consisted of a content analysis of selected academic journals from 2008 to 2011; the Sociology of Sport Journal (SSJ), the European Journal for Sport (EJSS), and the International Review for the Sociology of Sport. These journals were selected as they are the most relevant and regarded within the sociocultural area of sport. Additionally, a content analysis was conducted on abstract submissions from the 2011 International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA) Conference and the 8th European Association for Sociology of Sport Conference.

The content analysis for this research study was themed into the following categories: geographical location of researchers, area of research within the sociocultural area of sport, quantitative or qualitative research method, quantitative research method used (if the academic research used a quantitative research methodology), sample size.

A quantitative approach was conducted to look and analyze the descriptive statistics of the content analysis and to see the correlation and variance of the data collected within the research; correlation analysis, correlation matrix, t test of independent samples.

This research study is of importance to the academic field, as it shows if there is a prevalence or underrepresentation of the usage of quantitative research methodology within the sociocultural area of sport. It is of importance, as the method of quantitative research has advantages and can address the limitations of qualitative researches done within this field.

In 2009, the top tier professional sports league for the highest ranked team sport in the non-organized participation category in Australia (Interim Board of Basketball Australia, 2008), the National Basketball League (NBL), was reorganized and placed under the control of Australia's national sport organization (NSO) for basketball, Basketball Australia (BA). This came about due to the ongoing volatility of this professional sports league since its inception in 1979. Prior to the reorganization, the league was under the governance of the NBL team owners. The league was restructured and relaunch under the same name (NBL) in October 2010 (NBL, 2010).

NSO roles traditionally do not include the governance of a professional sports league, but rather focus on sports development, high performance, funding acquisition, and being the national representative of the sport in their country and to that sport's international federation. Basketball in Australia was different.

This study critically analyzed the strategies implemented by BA in 2009 in their endeavor to improve the status of the NBL within the Australian sports market. The research sough answers to the following questions: What were the trends within failing professional sports leagues? (National Soccer League, Super League, Australian Rugby Football League); What steps could professional sports leagues take to ensure their league survival?; Should a government funded National Sporting Organization (in this case Basketball Australia) govern country's premier professional sports league such as the NBL?; Would the implementations of current strategies make the league more successful that it was in the early 90s? (financial status, sponsorship revenue, competition level, game product, fan interest/television viewership)

A qualitative research methodology was used in this study. The two qualitative research techniques used were in-depth interviews and a content analysis of secondary research data. The data collection phrase of the in-depth interviews was from October 9, 2009 to November 9, 2209. The research participants were randomly selected based on accessibility. The research participants were from the following organizations: Basketball Australia - Chief Executive Officer, National Team Assistant Coach/Former NBL Player (National Sport Organization), Basketball Queensland - Sport Development Officer (State Sport Organization), Gold Coast Blaze - Owner, Chief Executive Officer, General Manager (NBL team) All in-depth interviews, except one, were tape-recorded and were conducted in person on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The one interview not done face-to-face was conducted over the telephone.

The two secondary data documents sets used for the content analysis were: Commercial Reform of Basketball in Australia: Board Statements of Future Directions, Commercial Reform of Basketball in Australia: Financial Model.

The analysis of the data was coded by the author. Six themes arose from the coded data and they were: The organizational structure of the old NBL; The failure of the old NBL; The power transition of the NBL from NBL owners to BA; The organizational structure of the new NBL; Implementation strategies BA adapted to the new NBL; Criticisms of the new NBL.

The research concluded that certain trends have been found with regards to failing professional sports leagues. These included poor leadership; the entertainment factor, or lack thereof, of the sport; small attendances; and the inability to secure television contracts. An implication of the study is additional changes were needed in order for the league to sustain itself long-term in regards to the NBL. However it was unclear whether or not BA was the right organization to govern the NBL.

The limitations of this research study are: research participants were mostly from one region, the data collected was coded by hand, the inability of gaining access to documents, and the research only captured the restructuring process (did not see how the end product).

High performance sport is defined as the elite level of sport within a country. In Canada, the Canadian high performance system consists of organizations such as Sport Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and Canadian Sport Centres.

Does the Crawford Report's ideology and strategies fit into the Canadian sport policy, which follows the four pillars of: Participation (to increase the number of Canadians participating in sport); Excellence (improve Canada's international results); Capacity (strength athlete and participant sport based development system); Interaction (coordinated and connected Canadian sport system (Commonwealth Games Canada, 2009).

To answer this, a secondary data analysis methodology was used. The main documents analyzed were the Crawford Report, internet sources and academic journals on the Australian High Performance Program; the Australian Sport System; the Australian Olympic System; the Canadian High Performance Program; and the Canadian Sport System. A content analysis strategy was used to breakdown and analyze these documents.

The research concluded: high participation sports (defined by number of registration) in Canada are Olympic sports, Canadian high performance sports should not be focused on redirecting money but rather determining strategies on how to increase funding, there should be an emphasis by Sport Canada on developing strategies to increase the participation rate of low participation sports, the Crawford Report's strategies and ideology would not significantly enhance the excellence, capacity, and interaction of the Canadian high performance system, Canada can learn several lessons from Australia (ie. the focus on funding and support for sport and physical education from the federal government, the entrenchment of sport and physical education into the Australian's lifestyle).

Lifesaving is a vital aspect of a country's swim program, as it focuses on reducing injury and death in, on, or around the water. Within Lifesaving, there has been a creation of a sport called Lifesaving Sport, which focuses on youth leadership, participation, and sport development. The creation of this sport became to fruition due to the focus on improving a lifesaver or lifeguard skills through simulated emergency response sporting activities.

In Australia, Lifesaving Sport is ranked as one of the top participation sports within the country with more than 10,000 competitors competing at their National Championships; the number of competitors is more than that of the Commonwealth Games. WIthin this country the sport has secured corporate sponsors, their major competitions are live on free-to-air television, they have partnerships with government sport agencies such as the Australian Sport Commission (ASC) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the operations of the sport is being run by professional employees. In Canada, there is no accurate statistics on the participation rate within the sport as there have been no implementation of a statistical program to measure it, it is stipulated in the constitution of the sport's National Sport Organization (NSO) that only volunteers are allow to manage the sport. There is minimum media coverage, and Sport Canada, the Canadian government sport funding agency, does not recognize Lifesaving Sport as a sport.

The purpose of the research is to see if a framework can be created on the variables of identity and culture, and to significantly come up with a definable answer if culture can shape a sport identity to make it more popular or decrease its popularity. This research is on-going and shows an interesting parallel of the differences of the same sport within two different countries. Through preliminary research, the culture has been a main indicator as to why there are differences. The research is aim to focus on: How important is culture within sport and physical activity and to NSOs? Can we measure the correlation of culture and the identity of the sport? Can we use culture to shape a sport identity to make it more popular?

Learning Outcomes: Identify various approaches to comparing high performance sport systems (HPS); Define strengths and limitations of various approaches to comparing HPS ; Profile HPS systems in the former USSR and current Russia, USA, and Canada; Discuss the challenges the above countries face and their international sporting performance in the future.