Social Innovation in Sport

This book provides fresh insights on how social innovations are utilized as strategies to make sport more accessible and inclusive. It does so by bringing together theoretical insights and empirical studies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the United States, Australia, Turkey and Belgium. Within the overarching topic of social innovation in sport, this book covers contemporary themes such as digitalization, urban planning, gender equality and innovation in sport policy and practice.

It will be of interest to researchers and students in the fields of sociology of sport, sport management, sport science and sociology.

1. Introduction.- 2.  Social Innovation in Sport: An Introduction to the Theory.- 3. Social Innovations and Social Entrepreneurship in Sport.- 4. Practice Occludes Diffusion: Scaling Sports-Based Social Innovations.- 5. We App to Move’ - A Co-Created Digital Platform to Support Self-Organised Sporting Activities Among Socially Vulnerable Youth in Bruges.- 6. Social Innovation, Sport and Urban Planning.- 7. Social Innovation and Challenges in Youth-Based Sport Practices: an Analysis of State-led Programs.- 8. Social Innovation and Virtual Sport: A Case of Esports in Norway.- 9. Footbag Freestyle: Innovation in the Organization and Practice of Sport.- 10. Social Innovation and Fitness Sports: A case of the CrossFit Movement in North America.- 11. The Wonderful World of Quidditch: An Innovative Model of Gender Inclusivity.- 12. “Introducing” roller derby: An old sport made new and innovations in gender policies.- 13. Thecreation of STUNT cheer: A story of cheerleading, Title IX, and the gender politics of sport.- 14. Social Innovation in Sport: Implications and Directions for Research.

Anne Tjønndal is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University, Bodø – Norway. She is also the leader of Nord University’s research group on “Sport and Society.”