Sport, Social Inclusion, and Development

This chapter examines the ways in which sport can contribute to social inclusion and individual or community development. Sport has been demonstrated to act as a tool for community development and inclusion for individuals and groups who have traditionally been excluded from participating or leading organized sport. The chapter first provides an overview and conceptualization of both social inclusion and sport for development before discussing the mechanisms used to achieve social inclusion in the sport for development context. The chapter discusses the different approaches to social inclusion in organized sport settings, under the broad focus of increasing diversity and inclusion. It also outlines different approaches to social inclusion and development experienced by different groups, as not all social groups experience the same discrimination in the sport system. This critical section discusses the diversity of experience and mechanisms for social inclusion, including gender, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, and social class. In addition, the chapter provides an intersectional analysis that illustrates how sport can potentially address the traditional exclusionary structures that exist within broader society, while acknowledging the genuine criticisms and debates on the efficacy of a social inclusion agenda in the sport sector.