Type of guideline
Type of guideline
Sports have the power to transform lives by fostering physical health, mental well-being and social connections. However, many individuals face significant barriers that prevent them from joining or staying involved in organised sports. These obstacles range from financial and time constraints to social and cultural factors, creating challenges that organisations must address to ensure inclusiveness and sustained engagement.
International Sports Organisations
National Sports Federations
This guide offers practical solutions for International Sport Organisations (ISOs), National Federations (NFs), and sport clubs to tackle these barriers effectively. It also highlights the importance of long-term retention, ensuring that participants not only join but remain connected to sports programs for years to come.
International Sport Organisations (ISOs), National Federations (NFs), and local sports clubs can all benefit from these guidelines to create more inclusive and accessible sports programs. These organisations play a crucial role in shaping policies, providing funding, and implementing programs that break down barriers to participation. By integrating financial assistance, flexible scheduling, and safeguarding policies, they can ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to engage in organised sports and sustain long-term participation.
Community-based organisations, schools, and local governments can also apply these strategies to enhance sports accessibility at a grassroots level. Schools can incorporate inclusive sports programs into their curricula, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have access to physical activities. Local governments can support these efforts by investing in public sports infrastructure, offering transportation solutions, and forming partnerships with sports clubs to provide free or low-cost participation options. Together, these stakeholders can create an environment where sport is truly for all.
Additionally, individual coaches, volunteers, and event organisers can implement these recommendations in their daily interactions with participants. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere, using positive coaching techniques, and promoting mentorship programs, they can help individuals overcome psychological and social barriers. Their direct involvement in sports programs makes them key players in sustaining engagement and ensuring that participants feel valued, supported, and motivated to continue their journey in sport.
Let’s continue to break down barriers, build bridges and make sport a place where everyone belongs.
For organisations and individuals involved in Sport for All, evaluation provides answers to critical questions: Are we achieving our goals? Are we reaching the people who need us most? Are we contributing to something bigger, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? With the right tools, we can gather evidence that tells these stories, validates our efforts, and...
Sports have the power to transform lives by fostering physical health, mental well-being and social connections. However, many individuals face significant barriers that prevent them from joining or staying involved in organised sports. These obstacles range from financial and time constraints to social and cultural factors, creating challenges that organisations must address to ensure inclusiveness and sustained engagement.
The United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by 193 countries in 2015, serve as a global blueprint for addressing the world’s most pressing challenges by 2030. These 17 interconnected goals aim to tackle issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and access to education and healthcare. At the heart of the SDGs are three guiding principles: People, Planet, and...
International Sports Organisations (ISOs) and National Federations (NFs) play a crucial role in shaping the future of sports participation and inclusion. However, the traditional focus on elite performance and competitive sports has often sidelined broader social, health, and community-based objectives. The INTERACT+ project aims to bridge this gap by providing ISOs and NFs with the tools and strategic direction...
