Inclusion and Exclusion Through Youth Sport

by Symeon Dagkas

• ISBN13: 9780203852392
• ISBN10: 0203852397
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2013-03-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

"We can reach far more people through sport than we can through political or educational programmes. In that way, sport is more powerful than politics. We have only just started to use its potential to build up this country. We must continue to do so." ' Nelson Mandela, said to the South African footballer, Lucas RadebeNelson Mandela's statement reflects a widely held view that sport can contribute in unique and far-reaching ways to important broad social outcomes. But is it really the case? Can sport bring people from different backgrounds together, and, in doing so, can it act as a force for social transformation and change? In the increasingly popular language of policymakers and practitioners, can sport contribute to social inclusion? Or is it the case that sport actually acts to marginalize and disadvantage some groups within society? Does it reinforce, rather than challenge the inequities of society?Focusing on youth sport as a touchstone sector of sport in society, this book examines the theoretical and empirical bases of arguments for sport's role in the social inclusion agenda, offering international perspectives on an issue that underpins many of the bold claims and presumptions being made for the power of sport. It represents the most up-to-date and authoritative presentation of core knowledge related to inclusion and exclusion in youth sport and as such, will be invaluable reading for any student, researcher, policy maker or practitioner working in sports development, sports coaching, sport studies or physical education.