Introduction

This book aims to enliven our professional and research conversations about difference and inequalities in physical education (PE), youth sport and health. Ultimately it has a modest aim to help teachers and coaches to create more inclusive learning environments for young people in physical activity and health contexts, although we are abundantly aware that education for social justice and democracy is a complex project which requires widespread political support from far beyond the boundaries of our field. The book was conceived on account of our sense of frustration at the ways in which issues of difference and inequality seem to be increasingly marginalized in the field of PE and sports science, as well as an acknowledgement about how difficult it is to gain broad acceptance for ‘different’ ways of knowing.