Development through Sport: Building Social Capital in Disadvantaged Communities

Abstract

Traditional delivery of sport development programs, especially at the community level, face particular challenges under neoliberal ideology. While several issues are evident, this paper addresses the issue of development through sport for disadvantaged communities. It reviews models where sport was employed to develop better community and citizen life outcomes and t o d e a l wi t h s o c i a l i s s u e s p r e v i o u s l y d e a l t wi t h t h r o u g h " we l f a r e s t a t e " p r o c e s s e s. These new models flow out of neo-liberalist state agendas to assist in fostering social inclusion and to building positive social capital in disadvantaged communities. Examples from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Canada are analysed and the implications for the Australian context are discussed. The discussion focuses on best practice success factors such as policy and strategy, partnerships, places and spaces, community/social development, evaluation and monitoring and sustainability. The role of traditional sports clubs and local government in delivering social inclusion programs and the emerging provision of community based sport activities by community/social development organisations is detailed. The implications for sport management, in terms of community development, community sport development, and sport policy, are also discussed.

How different contexts of social capital are associated with self-rated health among Lithuanian high-school students

“…For example, sports are often regarded as one of the key contributors to building positive social capital [50]. Also, it is important that policy makers, and, particularly in this case, Department of Education officers and school principals, be aware of social capital implications on adolescents’ health and life.…”

Intercommunity Sport Events: Vehicles and Catalysts for Social Capital in Divided Societies

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Thinking about the same things differently: Examining perceptions of a non-profit community sport organisation

“…The potential influence of image perceptions on willingness to be involved with nonprofit sport organisations has implications for the study of concepts that are premised on social involvement, such as social capital (Skinner, et al, 2008;Spaaij, 2011). The outcomes of this study indicated that perceptions of image and legitimacy potentially led to negative connotations for sport organisations, possibly reducing individuals' willingness to become involved and thus diminishing the volume of social capital available.…”