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A comparative study on female top sports leagues between Japan and the United States.

Research Project

Project/Area Number 12680059
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field 体育学
Research InstitutionTsurumi University

Principal Investigator

HIRAKAWA Sumiko  Tsurumi University, the faculty of Literature, associate professor, 文学部, 助教授 (40199047)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) NAKAZAWA Makoto  University of Tsukuba, Institute of Health & Sport Sciences, associate professor, 体育科学系, 助教授 (10188930)
Project Period (FY) 2000 – 2001
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2001)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,000,000)
Fiscal Year 2001: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000)
Fiscal Year 2000: ¥1,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000)
Keywordsfemale sports / female soccer / WUSA / L. League / Sport Spectators / 観戦行動 / スペクテイター・スポーツ / 女子サッカーワールドカップ / 女子リーグ
Research Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain useful information for developing female sports leagues in Japan by examining the differences of spectators' characteristics in the L. League in Japan and the WUSA in the States. Large differences in operating the leagues were expected to have a large affect on their spectators.
The data were collected by a self-administrated questionnaire for spectators at three regular season games of the L. League and the WUSA between June and November in 2001. Researchers collected a total of 1,312 responses (314 from the L. League and 998 from the WUSA).
A comparison between the two leagues revealed: 1) 62.1% of attendance was female in the WUSA while 72.1% in the L. League was male; 2) 94.2% of attendance in the WUSA came to the games with their family and/or friends while 40.2% in the L. League came alone, 3) Triggered by the booming of the Women's World Cup in 1999 (WWC99), the WUSA poses a large popularity, and 73.8% of female spectators in the WUSA preferred female soccer to male soccer.
As to the socio-psychological factors, spectators in the L. League and the WUSA were both affected by the factors of Interest in Soccer, Aesthetics, Drama of Game, and Wholesome Environment. Spectators in the WUSA especially females placed importance on Role Model and Support Women's Sport. On the other hand, the L. League spectators were well connected with the factors of Vicarious Achievement, Entertainment, and Interest in Player.
These findings suggested that the popularity of female soccer in the United States was based on the following factors: 1) success of the WWC99; 2) existence of female star players as role models for realization of gender equity; 3) women's will for support of women's sport; and 4) status of spectator sport as a healthy entertainment one can enjoy with one's family and/or friends.

Report

(3 results)
  • 2001 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2000 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (5 results)

All Other

All Publications (5 results)

  • [Publications] 平川澄子: "アメリカの女子プロサッカーリーグ(WUSA)の観戦者に関する調査研究"サッカー医・科学研究. 第22巻. 128-133 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 平川澄子: "アメリカにおける女子プロサッカーの観戦者に関する調査研究"鶴見大学紀要、人文・社会・自然科学編. 第40号. 109-129 (2003)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hirakawa, S., et al.: "Spectators in the women's professional soccer league in the United States (WUSA)"The Annual Report on Medical and Scientific Study on Soccer. Vol.22. 128-133 (2002)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hirakawa, S., et al.: "Spectators in Women's Professional Soccer in U.S.A."The Bulletin of Tsurumi University. Vol.40-4. 109-129 (2003)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 平川澄子 他8名: "サッカー女子ワールドカップアメリカ大会の観戦者に関する調査研究"サッカー医・科学研究. 第20巻. 125-130 (2000)

    • Related Report
      2000 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2000-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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