ABSTRACT
This chapter, the concluding chapter of the book, offers the combined ideas and thoughts of the editorial team on current issues in the field (sport development (SD) and sport for development (SFD)). Recent trends in the context of SFD are first explored with gender equity, mental health, and collaboration and partnerships, identified as key emerging focal points in SFD settings. A range of future opportunities in relation to SFD are also discussed, such as diversification of funding and support, advancements in – and integration of – technology, inclusion of climate change as key topic area, and increased focus on indigenous approaches and voices. Recent trends in SD are also highlighted in relation to declining rates of sport participation, community sport capacity, diversity equity and inclusion, women in sport, and the professionalisation of high-performance pathways. Future opportunities identified include child safety regulation and athlete wellbeing management, evolution of sport participation products offerings, community sport facility design and development, volunteer attraction and retention, and gender equality in sport development.
