Everyday Life, Informal Care and Grassroots Sports Clubs

Abstract

Millions of children participate in community sports clubs and leagues each weekend across the UK, and other countries. The rates of participation and the cultural significance of these sports in different countries are not always matched by recognition or support from governments. Policy interest in sport in the UK has, in recent years at least, tended to focus on elite performance and the hosting of events such as the Olympics and the UEFA European Championships. Commitment to grassroots and community sports has waned, or been limited to how sport and/or physical activity can help to deliver other policy goals. The lack of funding provided to community sports clubs can lead to young people with limited resources being excluded from clubs. Inequalities in participation in sport and physical activity were exacerbated during lockdowns and restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. This chapter explores some of the contemporary challenges facing grassroots youth sports clubs and highlights the possible advantages of adopting a different approach to them, including consideration of the informal care provided by sports clubs and the role that they can play during critical moments in children and families' everyday lives.

Citation

Crossley, S. (2024), "Everyday Life, Informal Care and Grassroots Sports Clubs", Disney, T. and Grimshaw, L. (Ed.) Care and Coronavirus (Emerald Studies in Child Centred Practice), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 209-223. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83797-310-120241016