The use of sport for social integration amongst disadvantaged populations: a systematic review

Social integration remains a global challenge, with various policy intervention approaches deployed, among which sport is commonly used to facilitate integration. However, evidence supporting this assumption is not consistently confirmed and has not yet been systematically synthesised. This systematic review, therefore, aims to address this gap by examining existing literature regarding the value of sport for integration among groups from disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., migrants, immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities). Sixty-nine articles were included and synthesised using Esser’s framework, confirming that sport enhances various dimensions of social integration by fostering cultural learning, interaction, and a sense of belonging. This is evidenced across various types of disadvantaged populations, although the quality of the evidence varies, with limitations including a lack of theoretical underpinning and overreliance on qualitative methods. Practical implications are discussed to maximise the effective use of sport for social integration among disadvantaged populations.