ABSTRACT
The field of sports geography can be traced back to the 1960s, with some of the early relevant literature being published in the 1970s and early 1980s. Geographically informed research contributes a particular understanding to closely related fields, most notably sociology, anthropology, economics, history, philosophy, political science and cultural studies. Geographers and social science researchers have directed much attention towards understanding perspectives of place, relevant to landscape, community and identity. Social and cultural geographers invest much time in the study of landscapes; therefore, a particular focus on sporting landscapes has been an important area of emphasis in sports geography. Comprehensive analyses of local sports spaces and landscapes have contributed nascent insight to the sport and geography literature. Geographers are concerned with how social, cultural, political, economic and environmental impacts either contribute new meaning or transform perceptions of space and place.
