The Social Benefits of Sport

An Overview to Inform the Community Planning Process

By Professor Fred Coalter
Institute for Sports Research
University of Stirling

This research report is one of a series of reports and summary digests available on sport Scotland’s website: http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/

The first of five principles that inform Sport 21 2003-2007 – the national strategy for sport is that:

“Participating in sport can improve the quality of life of individuals and communities, promote social inclusion, improve health, counter anti-social behavior, raise individual self-esteem and confidence, and widen horizons.” (sportscotland, 2003, p7)

However, sport alone will not solve Scottish society’s ills. This document illustrates how, in conjunction with other factors, sport has the potential to contribute to society in general and aspects of community planning in particular.

It shows that, in partnership with a range of organizations and agencies, sport can assist in the achievement of their policy objectives. In particular, in the context of local community planning, this document will demonstrate the extent to which sport may contribute to:

• improvements in people’s physical and mental health, and well-being;

• the promotion and enhancement of education and life-long learning;

• the promotion of active citizenship;

• programmes aimed at combating crime and anti-social behavior; and

• economic development.

Target 11 of Sport 21 is that by 2007 “every local authority area’s community planning process will have contributed to the targets of Sport 21 2003-2007”.

The purpose of this document is to provide a balanced view of the evidence for the social benefits of sport that can inform the inclusion of sport in community plans.

Background

Sport and Community Planning

The Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 places a duty on local authorities to secure best value, and provides them with a power to “advance well-being” in their local areas.

This duty and power will be exercised within new community planning approaches, based on greater integration and cross-organizational working. Consequently, community planning has the potential to provide an overarching framework within which multi-agency collaborative working can be developed to address a wide range of community issues.

In this context, sportscotland believes that sport has a significant contribution to make to the community planning process and many of the multi-agency issues that it will seek to address.

Community planning will be a key mechanism for making connections between national and local priorities, and the inclusion of sport will ensure that consideration is given to the national strategy for sport endorsed by the Scottish Executive, Sport 21 2003-2007 (sportscotland, 2003). Target 11 of this strategy is that by 2007 each local authority’s community planning process will contribute to the achievement of the Sport 21 targets.

In addition, the Strategy for Physical Activity (Physical Activity Task Force, 2003) is clear that community planning represents an important mechanism for the achievement of its aims and objectives. More generally, Sport England’s The value of sport (1999) suggests that, in new integrated planning approaches, sport can “often lead the way in promoting ‘joined up’ ways of working which impact positively on many aspects of people’s lives”.

In general, increased opportunities for sport can be regarded as a contributor to community well-being, and local authorities are required to make “adequate provision for facilities for the inhabitants of their area for recreational, sporting, cultural and social activities” (Local Government etc (Scotland) Act, 1994). This is reflected in the first key principle of Sport 21 2003-2007 which states that:

“participating in sport can improve the quality of life of individuals and communities…”

The Contribution and Nature of Sport

In this document, the definition of sport is the broad, inclusive one offered by the Council of Europe (2001):

“Sport encompasses all forms of physical activity that, whether engaged in casually or in an organized manner, aim to express or enhance physical fitness and mental well-being, foster social connections, or achieve competitive results at all levels.”

In addition to acknowledging that sport, independently, cannot solve a wide variety of social problems, it is also important to acknowledge the limitations of the research evidence for many of the claimed impacts of sport.

These limitations derive from three broad factors:

• The lack of robust research in many of the current priority areas in social policy.

• The difficulties in measuring many of the claimed effects of sports participation, and of separating them from other influences. For example, reduction in crime may not simply reflect the provision of sports programmes aimed at diverting young people from crime and anti-social behaviors, but a range of other policies or wider environmental improvements.

• Many of sport’s effects are indirect. For example, the belief that participation in sport reduces the propensity to commit crime is based on the assumption that this will be the outcome of such intermediate outcomes as increased self-esteem and self-discipline (Taylor, 1999).

However, the measurement of cause and effect – between inputs and actual changes of behavior – presents certain difficulties (Coalter, 2002).

Consequently, it must be recognized that the sports-related benefits outlined in this document are “only a possibility” (Svoboda, 1994) and a clear distinction is to be made between:

• necessary conditions (i.e., participation in sport); and

• sufficient conditions (i.e., processes which maximize the potential for desired outcomes).

As the desired positive outcomes are only a possibility, it is essential to understand the nature of the processes and conditions that will maximize the potential to achieve specific outcomes.

Throughout this document, research evidence will be referred to which indicates that, to achieve the full potential of sport, it is necessary to be aware of a number of factors:

• Managing for Outcomes. It is essential to be clear about the
assumptions underpinning provision and the nature of expected outcomes – certain sports and physical activities may be better than others at achieving particular outcomes for different individuals and groups. An understanding of such assumptions is essential in order to manage the programme to maximize the possibility of achieving desired outcomes (Coalter, 2002).

• The Nature of the Sporting Experience. Sport is not a homogeneous, standardized product or experience – the nature of the experience will be subject to wide variations, as will the effects.

• Supervision, Leadership and Management. These will impact on the nature and extent of the effects. Evidence points to the importance of sports leaders, especially in obtaining positive outcomes among young people at risk (Sports Council Research Unit North West, 1990; Nichols and Taylor, 1996; Witt and Crompton, 1997).

• Frequency, Intensity and Adherence. Any effects on sports participants will be determined by the frequency of participation, intensity of participation, and their degree of adherence over time.

Although these factors are especially important in order to obtain fitness and health benefits, they also have implications for the development of sporting and social skills and changed attitudes and values.

The Value of Sport Monitor (VSM) is a valuable resource that critically assesses research on the benefits of sports. It provides summaries of key information, which are regularly updated on the Sport England website. Let’s delve into the significance of sport and its impact on various aspects of society:

Physical and Mental Health:
- Sport contributes to improvements in people’s physical health by promoting fitness and overall well-being.
- It also has positive effects on mental health, reducing stress and enhancing mood.
Education and Lifelong Learning:
- Sport plays a role in promoting and enhancing education.
- It encourages lifelong learning through skill development, teamwork, and discipline.
Active Citizenship and Social Participation:
- Engaging in sports fosters active citizenship by encouraging community involvement and responsibility.
- It promotes social cohesion and interaction, leading to stronger communities.
Community Development and Social Capital:
- Sport contributes to community development by providing shared spaces and activities.
- It builds social capital, connecting people and fostering trust and cooperation.
Youth Crime Prevention:
- Sport serves as a diversionary activity, keeping young people engaged and away from negative influences.
- It emphasizes sports leadership and positive role models.
Economic Impact:
- An active population has economic benefits, including reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity.
- Sport-related consumer expenditure and employment contribute to local and national economies.

In summary, sport is more than just physical activity; it’s a powerful force that positively impacts individuals, communities, and society as a whole. 🏃‍♀️🏀🌟¹

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