Sporting clubs and grassroots sport development in Bulawayo Metropolitan in Zimbabwe

Countries that invest in sporting clubs have not only performed well in sports, but identified talent and nurtured athletes. Zimbabwe has been no exception, sporting clubs and academies were established. This paper sought to establish grassroots sport challenges that coaches encounter in an attempt to educate, inspire and mobilise young athletes. The study is grounded on Tinning, Kirk and Evans (1993) and Green’s (2005) Pyramid Sport Development Model in trying to understand issues of grassroots sport in Bulawayo. The study adopted a mixed method research design. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to collect views and perceptions of club administrators and coaches. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data that sought to establish the role of clubs in the development of grassroots sport.Ten participants, comprising of two females and eight males were recruited. All the participants were aged between 30- 40 years at the beginning of the study. Participants were voluntarily selected while anonymity and confidentiality was ensured. Findings from the interviews indicate that grassroots sport development appear to be influenced by availability of facilities and equipment, human and financial input, attendance, and parental support among other issues. From the study, 80% of the participants indicate lack of facilities and equipment in the clubs. On the other hand, (70%) of administrators’ point at the closure of youth clubs as a factor of participation. The recommendations put forward were that the government injects a special fund to resuscitate youth clubs. Sound grassroots sport development programmes and structures are likely to influence performance at Olympic Games.