engleski

Sport as a medium for multidimensional social inclusion: The case of rugby and Croats in New Zealand

There are two general approaches to the role of sport in the development of minority ethnic communities. One focuses on the process of assimilation, while the other focuses on maintaining ethnic identity. This paper uses the example of Croats in New Zealand to analyse the role of rugby in terms of both approaches, with additional research on the role of rugby in connecting this community with Croatia throughout the past three decades through the inclusion of the descendants of expatriates in Croatian clubs and the national team. The presentation is based on in-depth interviews conducted with descendants of Croatian expatriates to New Zealand, as well as officials and players in the Croatian national rugby team who have had experience working with them. Special attention will be paid to the institutional relationship between Croatia and its diaspora, as the state attempts to influence the process of reconstructing the national identity of diaspora through sport while simultaneously helping eminent athletes of Croatian origin reach international sporting success. This is especially apparent in the context of elite sport ; as concerns rugby, we will research the situation in this a non-elite (amateur) sport in Croatia, but the most popular elite sport in New Zealand.

elite sport, non-elite sport, rugby, ethnic minority, diaspora, Croatia, New Zealand

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