“Sport has the power to change the world [….] It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair.” - Nelson Mandela, speaking at the Laureus Sports Awards 2000 

In July this year Leeds Trinity University will host the Association of Commonwealth University’s Summer School with an exciting programme theme around sport and regeneration. This blog will explore why this theme was chosen and how sport is used as a vehicle for sustainable development and regeneration.

Initially, a combination of institutional expertise and the familiarity we all have with sport were significant drivers for the theme selection. Leeds Trinity has a thriving sports department and its Faculty of Social and Health Sciences works closely with several external organisations across the sporting sector, so we knew we could deliver an exciting programme.

For students arriving from across the world, the global reach and popularity of sport means it might serve as a common language; a base from which they will discuss experiences, develop ideas, and approach wider debates. The link between sport and sustainable development is also clear. The industry has long been associated with contributing to social change (Jarvie with Thornton, 2012) with global organisations including the Commonwealth and the United Nations recognising the ‘growing contribution of sport to the realisation of development and peace’ (UN General Assembly, 2015, p. 10).

Sport undoubtedly faces its own challenges and sometimes reflects, if not exacerbates, many of the issues prevalent across society. Certainly, sport mega-events such as the Olympics have been negatively associated with human rights abuses including the use of child labour, social exclusion of local populations and displacing local communities. There have been accusations of racism, gender inequality and a lack of diversity across sport. Yet, even in the face of these criticisms there lies an opportunity; to highlight such issues and use sport as a lens to bring discussions and debate to the mainstream.

Sport can act as a ‘resource of hope’ (Jarvie with Thornton, 2012). It has the audience and reach to raise awareness of global issues and reduce economic, social and capability inequalities. Sport can empower individuals and populations; it can be a vehicle for education and a platform to campaign. Through the provision of a common goal, sport can encourage social inclusion, promote tolerance, diversity, and inter-cultural understanding. Participation in sport and exercise has proven to improve physical health and mental wellbeing (WHO, 2020). Sports can create social cohesion, belonging and civic pride through community engagement.

Sport also has the power to regenerate. Intrinsic regeneration through the physical, mental and spiritual rejuvenation we experience through engagement in sporting activity and extrinsic regeneration of communities, places, spaces. We need the leaders of the future to acknowledge and harness this power so that the benefits of sport are not only maximised but realised across society. I see the students attending the summer school as potentially being the next generation of leaders.

The summer school will be an opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic work and research within sports, both in the Leeds area and internationally. It will also be an exciting chance for interdisciplinary peer-to-peer learning and intercultural knowledge exchange. It will be a chance to drive solutions-oriented discussions of sport in supporting sustainable development within students’ own communities. Most of all I hope it encourages students to present their ideas and innovations for the future, so that sport becomes synonymous with sustainability and regenerative action.

Dr Katie Lupton is the Lead in International Academic Partnerships and Programme Leader for International Business at Leeds Trinity University.