Playing together, the role of sport organisations in developing migrants’ social capital

During the last 20 years the Italian society has witnessed an intense and exceptional stream of migrants coming from Eastern Europe and Northern Africa. Therefore, new policies and strategies have been discussed and partially implemented with the aim to promote intercultural understanding and mutual respect within and among communities, education, and cultural policy. Besides Local Authorities, sport organisations have sought to take action on immigration and multiculturalism by using sport, physical activity and participation as a means to develop migrants’ personal and social capital. Thus, the research, commissioned by UISP (the largest Italian Sport for All Association) attempted to study model organisational determinants in supporting and facilitating the integration process for migrants in the Italian society. The research, ethnographic and ideographic in nature, was based on the case-study approach (Yin, 2009). Participant observations have been interpolated with interviews (n=32), focus group (n=7) and documentary analysis with the aim to analyse eight sports organisations (UISP's local committees) seeking to promote multiculturalism and personal and social capital development. Results indicated that, among the others, four organisation determinants are relevant within the Italian contest. Specifically, organisations are required to operate by safeguarding ludodiversity (Renson, 2004), with activities promoting multiculturalism also in terms of body culture and sport activities and, in the same vein, adopting structures and procedures more inclusive and participative for migrants. Broadly, policies concerning daily routines have to be revised with the aim to stimulate migrants to enhance active transportation and physical activity. Furthermore, public spaces – such as parks and outdoor facilities - should be more loose and accessible (Franck & Stevens, 2006). Finally, the development of an integrated system for multiculturalism (Henry, 2005; Putnam, 2000) coordinating all the efforts and activities implemented by all the relevant stakeholders–both public and private –should be established.