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Introduction

This toolkit is being developed with the support of Sport England East Midlands and the IDeA. We want to draw attention to the hugely significant role that sport can play to promote community cohesion, whilst also taking forward the Government's other key targets in terms of increasing participation and performance in sport and improving health and well-being.  Sport can change peoples' lives in so many ways, but it can also change the perspective of whole communities and develop their sense of belonging.

We hope that the role that sport can play will not simply be championed by those involved in sports - the players, clubs and societies, development workers and others working in the sports ‘industry' already know the power of sport. We would like to see the main service providers also recognize what sport can contribute to much wider processes of social regeneration and change.

It is only sport that can do this and there are many similarly inspiring arts, music and other projects that can also serve to unite communities and inspire harmonious community relations. But the opportunities for sport have never been greater and we need to ensure that these opportunities are now fully grasped.

Aims

In developing this toolkit, we aim to:

  • clearly establish and promote the ‘power of sport' in the cohesion agenda
  • present sports activities as a non-threatening, safe, environment, across ethnic and religious divides, which are capable of building trust and respect
  • enable the widest possible participation, facilitate more equal access to sporting opportunities and to promote successful role models from all communities
  • create a stronger association between the success of individuals and teams and an identification with a multicultural society
  • develop sporting activity as a means of building social capital - particularly through ‘bridging' across communities - to build trust and to enhance civil renewal programmes
  • highlight successful programmes and to provide examples of best practice.

We also wish to draw attention to the particular opportunities presented by the London 2012 Olympics Games and Paralympic Games. In the next five years we need to ensure that the promise of ‘the Games' is realised. Cultural diversity and legacy were absolutely critical issues in securing the 2012 Games and we now have an opportunity to both improve community relations across the country and to develop them ‘for the young people of the World.'