Shooting for Lithuania: Migration, national identity and men's basketball in the East of England

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

The accession of the ‘A8 states’ into the European Union initiated considerable migration into Western Europe. The impact upon local communities has seen significant attention, yet little research exists that focuses upon migrant experiences and identity specifically in sport. This study utilized a figurational framework to investigate the lived experiences of basketball amongst male Lithuanian migrants in the rural east of England. Semi-structured interviews highlighted participants’ motivations to migrate, their acculturation experiences and the role that basketball played during their sojourn. Participants considered basketball a significant means for the expression of national identity and as a focus for their resistance to local racializing processes. Conversely, conflict with established local basketball communities and perceptions of marginalization amongst migrants were common, creating divisions in local basketball competitions.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSociology of Sport Journal
Vol/bind33
Udgave nummer1
Sider (fra-til)26-38
Antal sider13
ISSN0741-1235
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2016

Bibliografisk note

CURIS 2016 NEXS 104

ID: 143920925