ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the politics and power relations inherent in evaluation in sport and leisure contexts. It considers how evaluation has become embedded in the politics of government and governance and the relationship between evaluation, politics and policy making. The chapter considers how the politics of evaluation can influence what is understood as evidence within sport and leisure programmes and also the type of methodologies and subsequently data that is prioritised within evaluation work. It highlights whose voices and experiences are prioritised within evaluation work and considers why this can be problematic. The chapter also explores alternative evaluation processes, considering the benefits of bottom-up, locally driven evaluations but also the challenges of undertaking more locally driven approaches within the broader context of evaluation work. Examples are provided in the chapter of the authors’ own experiences navigating the tensions and politics inherent in evaluation across various sport and leisure projects.
