Factors Facilitating the Sustainable Implementation of Social Sports Programmes: A Multiple‐Case Study

Liselot ter Harmsel-Nieuwenhuis, Dico de Jager, Niels Hermens and Kirsten Verkooijen
Additional contact information
Liselot ter Harmsel-Nieuwenhuis: Professorship Human Movement, School and Sport, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Dico de Jager: Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands
Niels Hermens: Department of Health, Welfare and Sport, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Kirsten Verkooijen: Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands

Social Inclusion, 2025, vol. 13

Abstract: Participation in social sports programmes can benefit people in socially vulnerable positions. In this study, social sports programmes are defined as sports programmes which are designed with the specific aim to support these people. However, the continuity of social sports programmes appears problematic. This study aimed to identify factors that facilitate the sustainable implementation of social sports programmes in a local setting. For this purpose, an exploratory multiple‐case study was conducted in six cities in the Netherlands. In each city, a programme called Life Goals was implemented, offering a range of sports activities for people in a socially vulnerable position. Twenty stakeholders, including programme coordinators, social sports coaches, policy officers of the municipality, social workers, and managers of social work organisations participated in an individual interview using a timelining method. The results of these interviews were subsequently explored during a focus group discussion with seven coordinators, four of whom had also participated in an interview. Five themes facilitating the sustainable implementation of local social sports programmes were identified: (a) employment of the coordinator; (b) funding of the social sports programme; (c) adopting an evidence‐based method; (d) building and maintaining a partnership; and (e) sports‐minded stakeholders. In addition, two overarching themes emerged as a common thread across the five themes: broad commitment and the role of the coordinator. Practical tips for the sustainable implementation of social sports programmes are given, which can be used by professionals and managers in the social work and sports fields.

Keywords: community sports programmes; local policy; sport as a means; vulnerable adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/9270 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:socinc:v13:y:2025:a:9270

DOI: 10.17645/si.9270

Access Statistics for this article

Social Inclusion is currently edited by Mariana Pires

More articles in Social Inclusion from Cogitatio Press
Bibliographic data for series maintained by António Vieira () and IT Department ().