Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses the social study of the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) sector, and begins with a general introduction to the importance of social theory in the pursuit of robust academic accounts of the field. It discusses the contributions of distinctive academic disciplines to the study of SDP. The book examines themes and issues that are central to much of the work in the SDP sector. It explores important social issues including gender, peace, disability and volunteering, as well as issues of social capital and health. The book highlights the significance of diverse issues, from the role of actions sports and coaching to issues of homelessness and the plight of refugees. It focuses on locations across both the global South and North that are highly diverse in geographical, political, cultural, economic and social terms.