Enhancing social inclusion in sport: Dynamics of action research in super-diverse contexts

Abstract

There are systemic and longstanding inequalities in sport participation for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrants. Drawing on theoretical foundations of critical pedagogy and social justice education, as well as a public sociology perspective, this paper examines the development of an action research (AR) project to support the co-creation of inclusive climates in sports clubs in CALD communities in Melbourne, Australia. We use artefacts from collaborative sessions, interviews, and surveys to analyse the AR's impact on participating community sport leaders’ awareness and practice. The findings indicate how the collaborative process of assessing clubs’ diversity and inclusion climates affected participants’ awareness of inequities and exclusionary practices, and how the co-creation of strategies for change brought together diverse perspectives. We reflect on the implications and limitations of the AR for research practice aimed at promoting equitable social inclusion for CALD migrants in community sport.

Sport participation in Victoria 2015–2022 Research Summary

“…Further, there are some LGAs that have much lower participation than other LGAs. Within specific LGAs some of these differences in participation in community sport can be attributed to the access to facilities and other leisuretime activities, as well as factors such as socio-economic status and cultural diversity (Eime, Harvey et al 2017, Reece, McInerney et al 2020, Spaaij, Luguetti et al 2023.…”