Abstract
Comprehensive sports clubs are operated by citizens, they do not participate fully. In the context of
this challenge, this study examines how citizens can become more involved in the operational roles of comprehensive sports clubs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine citizens working in these clubs, and the data were analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach. The results of the study revealed that creating systems that peers can collaborate on deepens citizen involvement in managing comprehensive sports clubs. Initially, most citizens “participated only within the scope of their duties,” such as attending meetings. However, some “began to develop a better understanding” of the club’s situation such as club’s mission and the presence of enthusiastic citizens. These individuals express desires to “give back” and “make some thoughts come true,” and “comprehend the significance of participating alongside fellow citizens.” Furthermore, citizens “developed a sense of solidity” for operation and “envied being part of a circle of people,” and thus “inclined to join the fellows.” Later, when the citizens actually joined the operations club, they gradually began to feel “the impression like it could continue,” attributing this perception to the habit of “creating systems that can be worked on by their peers,” such as defining paths for realizing various activities in club operation, understanding each other's characteristics, and sharing roles. They improve the desire to realize the mission, and “expand their role” for the sake of their peers who support them daily and acquire qualifications out of a sense of “being appropriate” for their roles. This increased their sense of belonging and made them want to “make this club better.” These experiences fostered the sense that “the community is becoming a place where people feel at ease” and that “it is connected to growth and vitality,” leading to “the meaning of mutual aid becoming clear.” In addition, feelings of “confidence and dreams swell” in the operation of the comprehensive sports clubs and, “I will continue to do this” were formed. This suggests that by defining a path to realize the various activities in club operation, leveraging each other's strengths, and taking action to build a sense of trust, citizens become motivated to participate in management and strive to develop a comprehensive sports clubs. Specific measures for citizen participation in the operation of voluntary sport organization include direct outreach, social gatherings, and certification opportunities. However, the results of this study suggest that beyond these measures, strategies and relationships within operations are important factors.
