In collaboration with Sports Think Tank, Sport and
Recreation Alliance and UK Sport Development and Research
Network, The Centre for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Leeds
Beckett hosted a seminar with keynote presentations from
Professor Fred Coalter and Nick Rowe.

Today the Sports Think Tank is launching a synopsis of the day and creating a chance for an online response.

Nick Rowe; Visiting Research Fellow, Leeds Beckett University and former Head of Strategy and Research at Sport England

Nick will be discussing whether or not 'Sporting Capital' is a game changer for sports policy and practice. Although it may make changes at the margins, even the most enthusiastic advocate would probably accept that sport development policy and practice is a hostage to, rather than a solution for, the more fundamental socio-cultural inequalities that characterise our society. Drawing on his work on 'Sporting Capital' Nick argues that a paradigm shift in public policy that focuses on the physical, social and psychological capacities to participate rather than on a 'build it and they will come' philosophy holds out the prospect for greater success for a sports development profession that needs to demonstrate it can make a difference.

Professor Fred Coalter; Visiting Professor at Leeds Beckett University and The Free University of Brussels (VUB)

Drawing on The Spirit Level (Wilkinson and Pickett 2009) Fred will argue that sports participation depends on economic, social and cultural factors beyond the control of sports policy makers. He will illustrate the argument that fundamental inequalities in income and wealth, educational opportunity, social mobility, gender and social status have socio-psychological and cultural consequences which are reflected in most forms of social participation, including sport. He will suggest that social inclusion precedes sports participation, questioning the current policy emphasis on achieving social inclusion through sport.