SPRING Foundation Symposium: ESPOL (European School of Political and Social Sciences), Universite Catholique de Lille, October 22nd, 2021
Global Issues and Sports
SPRING has sprung! Symposium Review
SPRING has sprung! After months of zoom discussions and a plethora of twilight emails shared with a group of esteemed friends and colleagues, the chrysalis finally shed it skin to flutter like a late butterfly beneath Lille’s sunny autumn skies on a notable Friday in October. In a cosy, informal manner, quite in keeping with both the ‘Spirit of Vic 2017’ and the convivial ambience which has punctuated the sterile bleakness of cyberspace throughout those zoom deliberations, our hosts Michael Holmes and Sabine Weiland (both ESPOL) got the Foundation Conference underway early in the day. Whilst Michael, Sabine and others were emersed in the final preparations for this hybrid event, with the small band of assembled exiled Irishmen in fine fettle and none the worst for the consumption of some excellent local beer the previous evening. I spoke in French to a couple of ESPOL students by way of an interview for ECOPOSS, the University’s press outlet, in which I briefly responded to their questions on the future of sport, the relationship between sport and peace and other related matters.
After some kind words and sentiments of introduction, those present in the somewhat stately room for the conference proceedings were joined by our online friends and colleagues, so that what followed was an eclectic mix of in person and virtual presentations and discussions which provided sharp and insightful contributions throughout the day. In sum, they revealed SPRING in its essence; an academic community with a shared passion for speaking and writing about Sport and its myriad political, cultural and societal ramifications. To be a witness to and a participant in launching SPRING was indeed a rare pleasure. What unfolded during the day was so much more than a ceremonial event; it was a substantive academic conference in its own right, during which the panels, plenary address and round table allowed delegates to present their latest research topics, and engage in stimulating analysis of current debates within the broad compass of the conference theme, Global Issues and Sports .The keynote address in which Miguel Delaney from The Independent articulated an illuminating insight into FIFA, UEFA and the Future of Football, fashioned by the breaking news of the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United, but saying so much more about the interface between politics, economics and the beautiful game.
The lively tone for the day was set by the first of two panels; Seamlessly chaired by Michael Holmes, the focus was Identity and community. The three papers presented revealed different facets of this generic theme. David Storey (University of Worcester) made the most of his presence in Lille to speak captivatingly about ‘Migration, identity and representation: Africa’s diaspora footballers’, drawing extensively on a range of case studies to illustrate the fluidity of national identities in global football, with particular reference to the French influence in the recent European Nations Tournament. This was followed by a stimulating online presentation from Jake Lawton (Liverpool Hope University), who spoke engagingly and thoughtfully about ‘Social Responsibility in Sport: Everton’s FC’s social and community activities. Jake’s passion for his subject shone through his presentation, giving a fascinating account of Everton’s history and contemporary involvement within its local community on Merseyside. The final paper in this session was delivered by Harry Browne, (Technological University, Dublin), speaking live from Lille on ‘Soccer and solidarity: the politics of Palestine and Celtic FC’, enthralling us with some of the main aspects of his ongoing research into the complexities and paradoxes of the support for Palestine from within Celtic’s fan base. Provocative stuff indeed!
After a suitably brief coffee break, the second panel, efficiently chaired by Janis Grzybowski (ESPOL, Lille), focussed on ‘Media representations of the international dimensions of sport’. Once again, although they were all delivered online, they encapsulated a diverse range of topics around the mediatisation of sports, and refreshingly, took the delegates away from football during most of their deliberations.
Alina Bernstein (Tel Aviv University), began the session with a timely and remarkable overview of ‘Media Representation and the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics’. This snapshot provided reflective analysis from multiple sources around five seminal themes, including Tokyo and Mega- Events, Media Coverage and Representation and the Politics of Sport. The findings surely form the basis for a deeper evaluation and study. Sean Crosson (NUI, Galway) then showcased the ‘Beyond Hollywood: Sport in European Cinema database’, as a living archive for researchers interested in film and documentary sources. Sean’s insightful presentation not only referenced the tradition of the Spanish ‘Kick – Flicks’ in recording sporting biographies from the Franco era, but also contained a consideration of ‘The Keeper’, a film about the legendary Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautman. The panel concluded with Nahuel Faedo, (University of Vic), highlighting some of the main findings of his ongoing research on the ‘Analysis of the professional situation of women journalists in Spanish sports media.’ Both panels resulted in constructive discussion before the symposium adjourned for a tasty and informal lunch, respectfully provided by our hosts at ESPOL.
Although the original intention had been for Miguel Delaney to deliver his keynote address in person, his presentation lost nothing of its topical relevance to the themes of the symposium by being given online. Miguel thoughtfully contextualised his comments within the issues raised by the Saudi inspired takeover of Newcastle United. Indeed, it was the immediacy of this story which prevented his attendance in person at the event. What emerged was a critical evaluation of the impacts of the seminal changes in football since the inception of the English Premier League in 1992, with particular focus on the divergent models of club ownership which have developed in this period, with significant implications for governance, regulation and accountability in the game. Ably chaired by Harry Browne, Miguel’s address gave rise to a lively debate which tapped into the hybrid nature of the event. The final academic component of the symposium, once again chaired by Michael Holmes, concentrated on a Roundtable; Geopolitics of sport- environment, human rights and diplomacy, in which the founders of SPRING, Jim O’Brien, ( Southampton Solent), Xavier Ginesta, ( University of Vic) and Russell Holden, ( In the Zone Consultancy), took part in a lively debate around some of the most prescient themes and issues in the Sport and Politics subject area, ensuring that the symposium’s academic focus finished on a substantive and reflective note.
Against this scholarly backdrop, the event moved to its concluding, significant section – the formal launch of SPRING. The Mission Statement was debated and amended, so that it became the group’s touchstone and reference point for its seminal aims and objectives. Delegates also discussed ways in which to expand and promote membership, some key communication strategies were defined, and future venues for the hosting of SPRING events were put forward, including Galway, Bournemouth and a return to Lille.
Darkness and a chill night air had fallen on Lille by the time the symposium had echoed with the closing remarks and expression of thanks to all those who had made such a positive opening event possible. So it was that I found myself in the wonderful company of these three Irishmen as we made our way towards the lights of the city, wandering through the cobbled streets of the old town to be fortified by a deceptively strong pre- dinner cocktail prior to sampling the exquisite cuisine of Les Compagnons de La Grappe. The talking, stories and tales flowed free to bring the curtain down
on a long but memorable day, imbued with the infectious spirit of optimism, to set the template and foundations for the SPRING adventure. Jim O’Brien, November 8th, 2021.