Social Inclusion Through Sport in Refugee Communities

Sport offers a powerful medium for fostering social inclusion among refugee populations by creating shared spaces where individuals can build social networks, develop a sense of belonging and enhance psychosocial wellbeing. Participation in organised and informal sport activities can mitigate the isolation often experienced during resettlement, providing opportunities for language practice, cultural exchange and mutual support. Programmes range from structured clubs to ad hoc community initiatives and can operate across multiple levels, including individual empowerment, community engagement and policy advocacy. While evidence highlights improvements in self‐esteem, peer relations and physical health, significant barriers persist. These include economic constraints, cultural norms—particularly affecting women and girls—language difficulties and the risk of reproducing existing social hierarchies within teams. Effective interventions address these challenges through culturally sensitive coaching, community partnerships and sustainable funding models. Emphasis on the nuances of intersectionality and the embodied experiences of participants has grown, recognising that sport both shapes and is shaped by broader social structures. Globally, practitioners and policymakers are exploring how to integrate sport initiatives within frameworks of refugee protection, education and public health to maximise long‐term integration outcomes.

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Social Inclusion Through Sport in Refugee Communities publication trend

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Technical terms

Social inclusion: The process by which individuals or groups gain full access to opportunities, resources and rights within society through meaningful participation.

Physical literacy: The combination of motivation, confidence, physical competence and knowledge to maintain physical activity throughout life.

Cultural capital: The collection of social assets—skills, knowledge, education and behaviours—that enable individuals to navigate and be valued within a given cultural context.

Participatory action research: A collaborative research approach in which participants and researchers jointly design, implement and reflect on interventions to address community concerns.

Sport-for-development: The strategic use of sport and physical activity to achieve broader development objectives, including health, education, gender equity and social cohesion.

References

1. Sport, Refugees, and Forced Migration: A Critical Review of the Literature. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2019).
2. The Syrian Canadian Sports Club: A Community-based Participatory Action Research Project with/for Syrian Youth Refugees. Social Sciences (2019).
3. Being Able to Play: Experiences of Social Inclusion and Exclusion Within a Football Team of People Seeking Asylum. Social Inclusion (2017).
4. Promoting Social Inclusion through Sport for Refugee-Background Youth in Australia: Analysing Different Participation Models. Social Inclusion (2017).