ABSTRACT
In contrast to traditional forms of sport development that focus on improving skill and talent, worldwide, sport-for-development (SFD) programs are being designed to go beyond the delivery of sport itself to make important contributions to improvements in people’s health, livelihood and overall wellbeing (Sherry, Schulenkorf & Phillips, 2016). Designed correctly, SFD programs can also play a pivotal role in fostering social inclusion, education and gender equity in disadvantaged communities (Levermore & Beacom, 2009; Schulenkorf & Adair, 2014). As such, the concept of SFD is receiving increased attention from both practitioners and academics around the world as an innovative, active and engaging approach to socio-cultural, economic and health-related development. While recognizing the important role that sport can play in local and international development, current research suggests that the use of sport for development purposes is neither simple nor inherently successful, and the achievement of “success” depends heavily on the design and management of SFD projects (Coalter, 2010; Darnell & Black, 2011; Coalter, 2013).
