AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and wellbeing in physical activity and sport, June 2025: Question 9

✅ Acceptable Answers (Any 3 for 1 mark each)

• More money / financial security (e.g. allows them to train full-time without working another job).
• Better clothing / footwear provided free of charge.
• Higher quality equipment made available to use.
• Access to better facilities (e.g. gym memberships, specialised training venues).
• Access to higher standard of coaching or support staff (physios, nutritionists).
• Increased visibility / advertisement in the media.
• Increased popularity / status / reputation as a global athlete.

🧠 Exam Technique

This is a pure recall (AO1) question.

• Ensure each of your three points is distinct. Do not say "more money" on line 1 and "can afford better equipment" on line 2 unless you specify the provision of free equipment.
• Focus specifically on the performer, not the spectator or sport.

❌ Common Errors

• Vague answers: Stating just "it helps them" without saying how (e.g., funding coaching, providing gear).
• Confusing the target: Writing about how sponsorship improves stadium seating (that benefits spectators/clubs, not the individual performer).

✅ Acceptable Answers (Any 2 for 1 mark each)

• Increased pressure to make the correct call/decision.
• Reduced enjoyment of refereeing/officiating.
• Mistakes get highlighted and scrutinised in the public domain (punditry, slow-motion replays).
• Criticism and abuse (personal attacks or online abuse on social media).
• Loss of reputation / credibility among players, managers, and fans.

💡 Key Knowledge

Media analysis tools like high-definition super slow-mo, VAR commentary, and post-match studio panels mean referee mistakes are magnified and debated by millions, leading to stress, demotion, or loss of confidence.

✅ Acceptable Answers (Any 2 for 1 mark each)

• Fame / celebrity / role model status (being in the spotlight allows high-profile officials to gain recognition).
• Full-time professional career / increased income funded by media broadcasting rights.
• Assistance from technology funded or prompted by broadcast media (e.g., Hawk-Eye, TMO, VAR) to verify decisions.
• Public praise: Highlights good, difficult, or brave decisions.
• Better public understanding: Explaining complex rule applications so spectators understand why calls were made.
• Improved reputation: Validating that an unpopular on-field call was actually 100% correct.

🧠 Exam Technique

Always state the effect on the official:

• Instead of just writing "VAR" (0 marks), state: "Technology helps them make the correct decision" (1 mark).
• Instead of just writing "Money", state: "Can become a full-time professional career with a higher salary" (1 mark).

✅ Marking Points (Award 1 mark each, up to 4)

• Sponsor → Sport: Business sponsors the sport by giving them money/equipment. (1)
• Sport → Sponsor: Sport provides business with advertising space to publicise its brand/product. (1)
• Media → Sport: Media buys broadcast rights / pays sport to cover live matches. (1)
• Media → Sponsor: Sport televised in media gives global promotion to the sponsor’s brand. (1)
• Spectator link: Spectators watch the sport, see the sponsor's branding, and purchase the products. (1)
• Media viewing figures: Exciting sports increase media audiences/viewing figures. (1)
• Media revenue: High viewing figures allow media networks to charge businesses higher advertising rates. (1)
• Mutual reliance: The media relies on sport to create engaging broadcast content. (1)

❌ Critical Trap from Examiner Mark Scheme

Simply naming the concept or stating "They form the golden triangle" scores 0 marks. You must describe the exchange/relationship between the points of the triangle.