A perspective from key stakeholders on football and health improvement

Perspectives from those involved in healthy stadia

“…This was more than twice the average of 15% achieved over the overall Shape Up programme. This supports a settings based approach to promoting health (Martin et al, 2016;Parnell et al, 2014).…”

“…There is growing recognition of the role that amateur and professional sport clubs can play in improving public health outcomes across local communities, including those who interact with stadia and sport venues (Drygas et al 2013;Martin et al 2016). Indeed, it was the research of Drygas et al (2013) that helped cement the European Healthy Stadia Network, which works with sports clubs, stadia operators and governing bodies of sport to develop stadia as health promoting environments.…”

“…Indeed, it was the research of Drygas et al (2013) that helped cement the European Healthy Stadia Network, which works with sports clubs, stadia operators and governing bodies of sport to develop stadia as health promoting environments. The European Healthy Stadia Network offers assistance through one-toone support, guidance documents, case studies of good practice, benchmarking tools and research (Martin et al 2016).…”

From social activism to active socialization: The evolution of football ideology in community‐owned football clubs

“…This culture has stemmed from the fact that football has never been far from visceral critique, sanction, vilification, and media polemics (Brunzell & Söderman, 2012), as it is said to encapsulate “inequality, short‐termism, and greed” (Lee, 2001, p. 32), but it has evolved into an economically viable business for improving the wellbeing of individuals and places (Farmer et al, 2016). The game has turned its attention “to social issues, most notably to promote the potential positive social impact of the game, including crime reduction, health improvement, and social inclusion” (Kolyperas, Morrow, & Sparks, 2015, p. 180), leading Martin et al (2016, p. 175) to conclude that ultimately, football is “delivering success in a range of lifestyle‐related behaviors”. This transition has seen football become increasingly concerned with authenticity, with a desire to provide “‘pre‐modern’ forms of local community bonding” (Brown, 2008, p. 350), predicated on relationships and providing a “location of sustenance” (Brown, 2008).…”

The community impact of football pitches: a case study of Maidstone United FC

“…The Football Foundation is the UK's largest sport charity and was founded by the Premier League, The FA (Football Association) and the British Government in 2000. The main goal was to improve grassroots facilities and to get more people playing football (Martin et al 2016). In the last 15 years the Football Foundation has awarded grants in excess of £513m and multiplied their Funding Partners' investment by attracting an additional £730m in partnership funding, which means more than £1.2bn has been invested.…”