Boxing gyms in the Netherlands, which were traditionally bastions of ‘white’ men, have become more and more diverse. Since boxers with different ethnic backgrounds and women have joined boxing clubs, trainers need to manage this emerging diversity in their gyms. This empirical study of a gym in the Netherlands, where full participation of women is the norm, attempts to gain insights about practices of and experiences in the regulation of social inclusion and exclusion. We explore points of connection between Foucault’s conceptualization of regulation and disciplinary techniques and the regulatory and embodied practices of boxing. In this case study, observations and interviews were conducted to explore how trainers address diversity of members in training sessions and at matches. The results show how the participation of male and female boxers with different ethnic backgrounds was normalized by trainers. The gym, with a traditional hierarchical and patriarchal culture, enabled trainers to use disciplinary techniques to normalize their construction of what is normal in the gym. These trainers are not all-powerful, however, and had to negotiate their construction of boxers in interaction with others. The use of disciplinary techniques produced both uniformity and differentiation and, through an on-going process of negotiation, they defined who would be included or excluded.

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We use the concept of governmentality to explore how different historically constituted regimes of practice operate to govern the thinking and practicing of full-contact martial arts and combat sports (FCMACS) in the Netherlands and consequently, to resist regulation. After conducting 43 interviews, observing a meeting and various FCMACS events, and analysing media and relevant documents, we conclude that the (traditional) boundaries between (commercialised) sports and government are strained since the government bans certain events and yet implements policy goals through community FCMACS. The public order and safety regime has now becomes relevant in addition to the already existing sport and economic regimes of practice. Each regime shapes constructions of problems and solutions differently and applies varying technologies of power that are historically and culturally appropriate to that regime. The terms 'dialogue of the deaf' and 'power vacuum' illustrate the resulting impasse. The data show that meanings about regulation of FCMACS are expressed, but not unravelled, discussed, or negotiated. The lack of supremacy of one of the regimes and/or the absence of balance in the adjustment of regimes causes a power vacuum. We concluded that the impasse will remain as long as the traditional order of fragmented and hierarchical regulation is not replaced by a new status quo regulating these sports. The use of the concept of governmentality enabled us to untangle regimes of practice and explain this impasse in the regulation of FCMACS.

This study answers a recent call for research on the complexity, locality, and use of power in the governing of diversity in organizations. We used the concepts of governmentally and of governing sameness and difference to explore multiple and heterogeneous ways of regulating gender diversity in organizations. Governmentally was defined as interrelated ways of reasoning and of using technologies of power within a boxing organization. We found that in their management of the full participation of women, participants used both sport and gender rationalities, each of which relied on different technologies of power in specific settings. Ambiguous meanings were strategically used to manage the participation of women in boxing and to maintain heroic masculine practices.

REPORT AbstractThe present report provides a brief account of a workshop entitled "Organising, Managing and Regulating Martial Arts" organised during the 21 st EASM conference held in Istanbul (Turkey) on September 12 th , 2013. It was the first scientific workshop with regard to the organisational and policy related aspects of (full contact) martial arts. During this international meeting four scientists described in-depth the recent history and current situation regarding the organisation and regulation of martial arts in their country (i.e., France, Flanders (Belgium), Italy and the Netherlands). The workshop was a unique meeting which provided a good opportunity to obtain a better understanding of the specific situation with regard to the regulation of martial arts in some European countries and to exchange results of current research concerning this topic. Further research could be helpful to gain more insight in dealing with problems related to governance, regulation and management of martial arts within a European context. Palabras clave:Martial arts; combat sports; scientific research; scientific meetings; congresses; EASM.Informe sobre el taller "Organizando, gestionando y regulando las artes marciales", durante la 21ª conferencia de la EASM Resumen El presente informe resume el taller "Organizando, gestionando y regulando las artes marciales", organizado durante la 21ª conferencia de la EASM celebrada en Estambul (Turquía) el 12 de septiembre de 2013. Este ha sido el primer taller sobre los aspectos políticos y organizativos de las artes marciales (de contacto pleno). Durante este encuentro internacional cuatro científicos describieron en profundidad la historia reciente y situación actual de la organización y regulación de las artes marciales en su país (i.e., Francia, Flandes -Bélgica, Italia y Holanda). El taller fue un evento único, una buena oportunidad para obtener una mejor comprensión de la situación específica de la regulación de las artes marciales en algunos países europeos, y para intercambiar resultados de las investigaciones actuales sobre este tema. La realización de más investigaciones podría ayudar a comprender mejor cómo tratar los problemas asociados a la gobernanza, regulación y gestión de las artes marciales en el contexto europeo.Keywords: Artes marciales; deportes de combate; investigación científica; eventos científicos; congresos; EASM.Resumo do workshop "Organizar, Administrar e Regular as Artes marciais", durante a 21.ª conferência da EASM Resumo O presente texto resume o workshop "Organizar, Administrar e Regular as Artes Marciais", organizado durante a 21.ª conferência da EASM, celebrada em Istambul (Turquia), no dia 12 de setembro de 2013. Esta foi a primeira conferência centrada nos aspetos políticos e organizativos das artes marciais (de pleno contacto físico). Durante este encontro internacional quatro científicos descreveram, em profundidade, a história recente e a atual situação da organização e regulação das artes marciais no seu País (i.e., França, Flandres -Bélgica...

The governing of sport has recently shifted from self-regulation towards various forms of joint regulation. This study uses the concept of governmentality to analyse practices of governing full contact martial arts and combat sports (FCMACS) in the Netherlands to answer the question of how the concept of governmentality informs the current and future governing of FCMACS. Dean's methodological guidelines were used in the analysis of the consensus and contradictions in the rationalities and related technologies of power (regimes of practices) expressed in the regulation of FCMACS. According to the study's respondents, future practices of the governing of FCMACS must enact equitable restrictions for all gyms and fight events and highlight the social value of FCMACS to facilitate them gaining the same status as regular sports. Such change requires practices of governing that combine authority and mediation with a climate open to self-regulation. ARTICLE HISTORY