ABSTRACT
This chapter offers critical reflections on the concept of social inclusion and its application and operationalisation in sports-related research, with a particular focus on youth sport. It explores key areas of consensus and contention, and illustrates these areas with examples from recent international research on community sport and social inclusion. The authors draw attention to subjective aspects and experiences of social inclusion and their relationship to youth sport, through the conceptual lens of aspirations and capabilities. The chapter concludes by identifying applications to the community sport for AT-risk youth: Innovative strategies for promoting personal development, health and social CoHesion (CATCH) research and outlines some conceptual and methodological directions for future research and knowledge translation concerning the promotion of social inclusion through sport.
