On Identity Management Strategies and Modes of Structuring among Groups of Sports Fans: An Exploratory Study in the French Rugby Elite Championship
Bernache-Assollant, Iouri
On Identity Management Strategies and Modes of Structuring among Groups of Sports Fans: An Exploratory Study in the French Rugby Elite Championship - 2014.
61
The analysis of identity management strategies in regard to sporting performances (for example, MATing, blasting, and boosting) has been primarily conducted in the North-American context. The aim of this study is to demonstrate, in the specific context of French Rugby Union, not only that identity management strategies concern levels of identification with the team, but that they are also dependent upon the structure and organization of sport fans’ groups: either “ultra” (characterized by a desire for autonomy from other groups of fans and associated with elitist and competitive norms connected to the supra category) or “traditional” (without any particular identity claim in relation to other groups of fans). We surveyed 176 fans of French Elite Rugby Union teams (87 ultra and 89 traditional fans). The analysis of identity strategies (stage 2) shows that ultra fans (1) recognize that they are more inclined than traditional fans to confront opponent supporters following a defeat of their team (that is, blasting), and tend to assert their link to the team more strongly than traditional fans (that is, MATing) regardless of the result. Moreover, the blasting strategy is more likely to be used by ultra fans following a defeat of their team than following a victory. The article concludes with an assessment of the limitations of the research and future research perspectives.
On Identity Management Strategies and Modes of Structuring among Groups of Sports Fans: An Exploratory Study in the French Rugby Elite Championship - 2014.
61
The analysis of identity management strategies in regard to sporting performances (for example, MATing, blasting, and boosting) has been primarily conducted in the North-American context. The aim of this study is to demonstrate, in the specific context of French Rugby Union, not only that identity management strategies concern levels of identification with the team, but that they are also dependent upon the structure and organization of sport fans’ groups: either “ultra” (characterized by a desire for autonomy from other groups of fans and associated with elitist and competitive norms connected to the supra category) or “traditional” (without any particular identity claim in relation to other groups of fans). We surveyed 176 fans of French Elite Rugby Union teams (87 ultra and 89 traditional fans). The analysis of identity strategies (stage 2) shows that ultra fans (1) recognize that they are more inclined than traditional fans to confront opponent supporters following a defeat of their team (that is, blasting), and tend to assert their link to the team more strongly than traditional fans (that is, MATing) regardless of the result. Moreover, the blasting strategy is more likely to be used by ultra fans following a defeat of their team than following a victory. The article concludes with an assessment of the limitations of the research and future research perspectives.
Réseaux sociaux