Role of Sport in Inclusion of Women of Migrant Background
Module progress: 4/6 completed
Sport is based on values such as acceptance, humanity, fairness and solidarity. The social activity of sport and the sense of belonging that comes with sport are great opportunities to nurture and promote inclusion.
The role of sport in inclusion and participation in society can be categorized in four different themes: social capital, cultural capital, sense of belonging and personal development.
Social Capital
Social capital: new friendships, contacts and networks. Social capital happens most within migrant communities, and less between minority and majority communities.
“Walking with other mothers from my community gave me friends and support I really needed. We share everything — from childcare advice to our worries. But sometimes, I wish I also had more contact with local women to feel more part of the wider society.” — Fatima, sportsperson from Morocco
Cultural Capital
Cultural capital: a way to maintain one’s own cultural identity and familiarise with other cultures.
“When I joined the women’s running group, I felt a bit like home. We run, laugh, and talk about our families, our challenges, and how life has changed since moving here. With other women from Eritrea, I can speak freely and keep my culture alive. At the same time, training with local women has taught me a lot — about the language, customs, even small things like how to greet people or what to wear. It’s helped me feel more confident and part of this new community.” — Samira, sportsperson from Eritrea
Sense of Belonging
Sense of belonging: to a sport group, a local community or the wider society.
“Joining the women-only football club changed everything for me. Here, I can speak my language, and talk about my culture. I feel safe here. I’ve gained confidence, made friends, and even help organize events now. Through the club, I’ve also connected with people from the local community, and for the first time since moving to Belgium, I truly feel accepted — not just in the group, but in Belgium in general.” — Aisha, sportsperson from Afghanistan
Personal Development & Personal Time
Personal development and personal time: learning new skills, challenging oneself, self-esteem, sense of self-control and agency, time for oneself.
“Before joining the women-only cycling course, I didn’t know how to ride a bike, and I felt very limited in moving around the city. The lessons taught me to cycle confidently, giving me freedom to go to school, shops, and social events on my own. I even started helping organize rides for other women, which gave me new skills and a sense of control over my daily life. This became really a moment for me, something I had long missed.” — Roya, sportsperson from Iran
Important Note on Inclusion & Exclusion
Important note: The inclusive effects of sport are not self-evident and occur under certain conditions and with certain reservations. While participation in sport can at best have a positive impact, it can also produce experiences of social exclusion and isolation. The excluding factors in sporting contexts have a stronger impact on women than on men — women might be more sensitive towards exclusionary practices than men.
So the outcomes of participation in sport, whether positive or negative, are fully dependent on the context — creating safe, comfortable and mutually respectful atmosphere is essential.
Data Insights (HTML charts)
According to women, sport participation promoted:
55% had experiences that caused feelings of exclusion
Two main reasons:
- Language barriers — 26%
- Feelings of non-welcome, non-belonging and exclusion — 20%
Central reasons for women of migrant background to participate in sport
Notes: “Sporty appearance” had become more important for some women during integration — a few felt pressure to conform to Western beauty norms. Some joined primarily for socialising; for many, social contacts became important later as confidence grew.
Mentor Tips
- Sport can include and exclude — check whether your mentee feels truly welcome in a group.
- If she reports exclusion (e.g., language barriers, subtle discrimination), validate her feelings and help find safer spaces.
- Support her agency: encourage roles as peer leader, assistant coach, or future mentor where appropriate.
Reflection Note
Where could sport most effectively support inclusion for the women you work with — social capital, cultural capital, belonging, or personal development? What concrete step could you take next week?