Striving for newcomer inclusion: A critical analysis of Canadian Intro to Sport programmes
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.
Notes
Community organizations: 6 unidentified Intro to Sport programs for newcomers to Canada
Future research / gaps identified:
Examine how intersectoral community partnerships form and develop to support/not support sport programs for newcomers.
Integration timeline: not defined
Key findings:
Sport participation barriers included: costs, navigating rules and regulations, program location and transportation, and availability of facilities.
Sustainability is a key indicator of success for Intro to Sport programs for newcomers to Canada, where intersectoral community partnerships can play an important role in.
Location: Calgary, AB
Open access: No
Key populations:
Program administrators
instructors
parents of participants in Intro to Sport programs for newcomers to Canada
Key recommendations:
1) Critically consider inclusion and sustainability principles from the outset in designing programs and facilities involving newcomers.
2) Centre the voices of newcomers in the design, implementation, and evaluation stages of sport programs.
3) Foster intersectoral community partnerships as an integral piece to ensuring the viability of newcomer Intro to Sport programmes, in part, through building capacity to address the known participation barriers facing many newcomers.
4) Expand efforts in seeking out innovative solutions to the shortage of sport facilities – especially indoor ice facilities – in order to offer more newcomers access to iconic Canadian sport experiences that connect to ideas of Canadianness and integration into Canadian culture
5) Consider local context and program rationale when determining whether to offer no- or low-cost programs for newcomers, while generally working to ensure registration fees are as low as possible in order to be truly inclusive of everyone.
6) Consult other similar, successful programs to provide relevant insights and case studies from across Canada to aid in creating effective Intro to Sport programs.