Citation

Parnell D, Hylton K. Aust. J. Prim. Health 2015; 22(2): 69-70.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Australian Institute for Primary Care and School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Publisher CSIRO Publishing)

DOI

10.1071/PY14177

PMID

26329993

Abstract

Providing pragmatic interventions (through sport) to tackle social issues in hard-to-reach communities, including those in Aboriginal and black minority ethnic (BME) communities, this study highlights how a community football club was able to deliver positive outcomes for racism, discrimination and health. The article compares findings geographically originating from Australia with those in the UK. The program highlighted herein does not have the so-called 'power' and backing of a brand (of a professional Australian rules or soccer football club) to rely on, and the appealing factor is football alone; football in its purest sense: the activity. We call upon those strategically placed in funding and commissioning roles to draw on the evidence base to support non-professional football (and sport and recreation) clubs to deliver on the health agenda. Adding further conclusions that this mechanism and context of delivery can support positive social and health changes, but requires further examination.

Language: en