Integrating sport-for-development theory and praxis

Abstract

In recent years there has been a growing social movement toward the use of non-traditional sport practices as a vehicle for social change, reaching communities with messages in ways traditional sport practices cannot. However, scholars have suggested that the effectiveness of sport to promote positive social change has been minimal. The absence of scientific evidence and an undergirding theoretical framework of how sport can work for social change indicate significant gaps between theory and practice. Thus, the purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we provide the theoretical foundations of sport-for-development theory (SFDT) to showcase how sport interventions can most effectively promote social change and development. Secondly, we utilise the SFDT programme recommendations as a blueprint to compare and contrast two sport interventions that use sport as a vehicle to promote positive social change, one at the global and the other at the local level. Based on this analysis, suggestions for future research and practice are provided.

Keywords:

• Sport-for-development and peace
• Sport for development theory
• Sport and social change
• Global sport governance
• Olympism
• Olympic education

Acknowledgment

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Andrew Yiannakis, one of the first advocates of applied sociology of sport, for providing intellectually stimulating discussions and guidance that helped us understand how scholars and practitioners can utilise the power of non-traditional sport practices to promote change, development and social justice.