The future of sport and development: Adapting and considering new delivery models

Demand for sport will not decrease; how we deliver sport will be the question.

– Professor Hans Westerbeek, Victoria University

As the coronavirus pandemic has profoundly affected sport, including professional leagues and competitions, many have begun to question the role of sport in society. Should we be seeking to go back to business as usual? or is it time for sport to change? What needs to be done?

sportanddev recently published a call for articles on the future of sport and development, receiving a record 55 responses from writers across the world and from a range of backgrounds and sectors. We have analysed the published articles and identified 10 key and interlinked themes. The theme for this article is the need to build a more equitable and inclusive sport for development and sport sector.

sportanddev also hosted a webinar on the future of sport and development on 23 June, International Olympic Day with over 300 attendees! Click here to watch the recording.

Adapting and considering new delivery models

In-person interactions are at the heart of most sport for development programmes, but the current crisis has hampered them significantly. Sport for development organisations need to continue to adapt and innovate, considering new approaches.

This includes using technology and social media to scale the reach and impact of sport for development work in the future. We need to take a broader view of sport, beyond physical and competitive activities. Board games and other intellectual recreational pursuits have shown positive effects on cognitive capacity and health. Greater consideration of the role of e-sports is also merited.

Furthermore, it is clear that sport, and sport for development organisations and programmes, need to be and emergencies. This should include better planning to guide relief, response and recovery efforts.

What are the other topics writers emphasised? Find out more.