OCR Sport Studies Level 1/Level 2 (J829) Past Papers

Contemporary Issues in Sport assignments reward students who support arguments with specific evidence and examples. When discussing gender inequalities in sport: reference the gap in prize money (e.g., historical examples in tennis grand slams), media coverage disparities (research showing women's sport receives a fraction of broadcast coverage), participation data from Sport England, and positive policy interventions (This Girl Can campaign, Women's Super League professionalisation). Avoid unsupported generalisations — 'women are less interested in sport' is an opinion that contradicts participation data; use evidence to challenge such assumptions. For the Leadership unit, preparation and reflection are the keys to distinction. Before leading your session: plan the activity carefully, considering the abilities and needs of your participants, the space and equipment available, and safety considerations (warm-up, age-appropriate progressions, checking for medical conditions). During the session: speak clearly, use demonstrations to supplement verbal instructions, provide specific feedback ('move your arm higher' not 'try harder'), and adapt if participants struggle. After the session: write a detailed evaluation — what went well and why, what you would change next time, and what specific leadership skills you demonstrated. Sport and the Media assignments should demonstrate understanding of the commercial logic driving sports broadcasting. Broadcast rights fees (the billions paid by Sky and BT Sport for Premier League rights) have transformed professional sport — funding elite players' wages and facilities while creating a financial gap between top and lower leagues. Social media has disrupted this traditional model: athletes can now communicate directly with fans without media intermediaries, building personal brands that generate sponsorship income independently of their team or league.