in the integration of refugees these sport clubs rests on the hard work and dedication of volunteers and coaches. This article argues that coaches should take an active role in welcoming new members, introducing these members to different groups, and preventing cliques from forming. Many spaces of social interaction do not have individuals who feel able to arbitrate between social actors. In sport, coaches can help to balance out the power dynamics between existing members and new recruits, including refugees, and this can have a powerful effect on integration and belonging for all members.This article contributes to the small but growing academic literature on refugees and sport, by shifting the focus from project outcomes on an essentialised group (refugees) to the practices of leaders within the programme or club. Developing the social skills of coaches and volunteers benefits all members, regardless of social background. This study is the first that focuses on table tennis with refugees and is based in the UK. It is the first research that addresses the inclusive narrative of sports clubs and how the volunteers and coaches operate effects social inclusion. In so doing it does not focus on results and outcomes but on the process of creating a supportive environment. The article demonstrates the importance of participant observation and qualitative analysis to provide holistic approaches to research. This study also demonstrates the importance of carefully managed approaches for all members of the community, rather than focusing (and essentialising) one particular group (I.e. refugees). Sport can breakdown these imposed identity categories and permits the individual to build a new identity as a table tennis player. After summarising the literature on refugees and sport, and the sport integration policy context, this article presents the methodological and ethical considerations. This is followed by the analysis with three key arguments that: 1) an active approach from coaches facilitates integration of all communities when done in 2) a welcoming environment with 3) a focus on fun and social interaction, rather than just sports skills.
The contribution of sport to the ending of apartheid is examined. It is argued that claims for the effectiveness of sports diplomacy often exceeds the available evidence. However, the association between opposition to apartheid and sport was strong at least from the early 1960s up to the transition to democracy. It is argued that while it is clearly impossible to quantify the contribution made by sports sanctions to the end of apartheid it is possible to provide indicators of significance. The selected indicators of significance are the capacity of the opposition sports organizations to influence the agendas of international sports organizations, international bodies, including the UN and the Commonwealth, and, at domestic level, the capacity to promote a substantial response from the government and the ANC. It is concluded that sport fulfilled an important symbolic function in the anti-apartheid struggle and was able to influence the other policy actors, but generally to a far less significant extent than is usually asserted
Purpose: This paper explores the perceptions of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) at Football in the Community (FitC) organisations associated with English professional football clubs regarding developments and changes over the 25 years since their inception. Of interest was how the schemes might/might not reflect the original underpinning ethos, aims and intended outcomes.Methodology/approach: Ten CEOs participated in interviews designed to explore their perceptions of the challenges, developments and opportunities in the industry over 25 years.Findings: Thematic analysis revealed four main issues facing the sector: security and sustainability of delivery and funding; the importance of growth and diversification; engagement with multiple agendas and agencies; 'professionalisation' of the workforce; and brand values and awareness. For CEOs, success of their schemes was measured both in terms of financial security of programmes and social impact within the community. Practical implications:The sustainability of FitC schemes is inextricably linked to the success of organisations, contributing to social policy objectives.Research contribution: Through the identification of strategic and organisational factors that have underpinned the development and outcomes of FitC, the paper addresses the gap in the literature by considering the perspectives of CEOs.
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