‘Active integration’: sport clubs taking an active role in the integration of refugees

ABSTRACT

In the context of the global migrant and refugee crisis there is considerable enthusiasm for the notion that participation by migrants of refugee background in community sport can play a role in fostering a sense of community belonging. Sport potentially is an opportunity for refugees to integrate (with each other and host communities). Community sports organisations in the UK - and specifically sports clubs - continually face challenges to devote resources to social policy outcomes beyond increasing sport participation. This article argues that the active approach of coaches, volunteers and managers to consciously manage inclusive sport activities is central for the integration of refugees. Utilising a mixed methods approach, this study analysed the impact of one sports club that used table tennis to promote the active integration of refugees. The study found three significant areas of impact: first, an active approach from coaches can facilitate integration; second, such an approach should be conducted in a safe, enjoyable and welcoming environment; and that sport is a positive social activity for youths with a refugee background if the focus of the activity centres on fun and social interaction, rather than just sporting skills.

KEYWORDS:

• Refugees
• forced migrants
• active integration
• community sport
• sport clubs

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Brighton Table Tennis Club and their various members for helping this research to take place.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Football 4 Peace is the in-house NGO of the University of Brighton. It seeks to use sport to build bridges between divided communities. It uses a values-based methodology to teach participants how to work together. For more details see Sugden (2008).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Sport England under Grant number 2016009936.