ABSTRACT
In the 1990s sport became an increasingly important aspect of both national and international social policy. For example, in the United Kingdom sport became an important aspect of ‘New’ Labour’s social inclusion agenda. The expected contribution of sport is summarised by Policy Action Team 10’s (DCMS 1999: 23) statement that ‘sport can contribute to neighbourhood renewal by improving communities’ performance on four key indicators – health, crime, employment and education’. Similar, if less well-developed, policies can be seen in Australia (Australian Sports Commission 2006) and Canada (Bloom et al. 2005). In the area of international development policy the UN declared 2005 as the International
Year of Sport and Physical Education arguing that,
The world of sport presents a natural partnership for the United Nations system. By its very nature sport is about participation. It is about inclusion and citizenship. Sport brings individuals and communities together, highlighting commonalties and bridging cultural or ethnic divides. Sport provides a forum to learn skills such as discipline, confidence and leadership and it teaches core principles such as tolerance, cooperation and respect. Sport teaches the value of effort and how to manage victory, as well as defeat.
