Striving for newcomer inclusion: a critical analysis of Canadian Intro to Sport programmes. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barrick, Simon; Bridel, William; Bard Miller, Joan
• Is Part Of: Leisure. Volume 45:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 34
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Newcomer -- sport participation -- sport development -- winter sport -- summer sport -- qualitative research -- integration; nouveaux arrivants -- participation au sport -- développement du sport -- sports d'hiver -- qualitatif; Recreation -- Ontario -- Periodicals; Recreation -- Government policy -- Ontario -- Periodicals; Loisirs -- Ontario -- Périodiques; Loisirs -- Politique gouvernementale -- Ontario -- Périodiques; Recreation; Recreation -- Government policy; Ontario; Periodicals; 790.0971305
• DOI: 10.1080/14927713.2021.1872406
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1492-7713

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Sport participation is popularly constructed as an effective means for welcoming newcomers into their new country of residence, despite these claims being critiqued by sport scholars. In this study, we critically interrogated Intro to Sport programmes as one approach for welcoming newcomers into the Canadian sport system using Green's normative theory of sport development to inform our work. Twenty qualitative interviews were conducted with programme administrators, instructors, and parents of newcomer programme participants representing six Intro to Sport programmes. Using thematic analysis, two overarching themes were determined: (1) toward inclusion: negotiating sport participation; and (2) sustainability. We explored how various sport participation barriers were managed towards promoting inclusion across the programmes as well as the pervasiveness of intersectoral community partnerships. We provided a nuanced discussion of the socio-cultural and contextual considerations surrounding Intro to Sport programmes for newcomers, insights that can inform sport development research and practice moving forward. We also offer suggestions to sport administrators involved in Intro to Sport programmes for newcomers and future research directions.