• Sport:
• What We Do:
• Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS):
• CABOS Report:
• Building Inclusive Communities

Building Inclusive Communities

Sport can have a far reaching influence across all individuals and communities. Sport has the potential to promote a positive image of disability and can enhance self-image, success, strength and friendship in those with a disability.

It can be a tool to empower women, promoting their independence and developing their leadership skills, confidence and assertiveness. It can help build communities and build cohesion and a sense of citizenship.

Benefits:

• Improved health and quality of life
• Improved community harmony and unity
• Improved delivery systems, programmes and services
• Increased performance of athletes, coaches, administrators and technical officials
• Increased employment opportunities for youth
• Contribution to poverty alleviation at community level
• Establishment of clubs and building of local infrastructure, such as multi-sports facilities and community centres
• National government agreement to build multi-purpose indoor sport and community centres
• Proves a vehicle for building community cohesion
• Increased employment opportunities, and contribution to poverty alleviation at community level
• Increased awareness of programmes and activities for persons with a disability in the region
• community-based support networks for persons with a disability to become active participants in, and to contribute to, society
• Integration of persons with a disability with the greater community
• increased and better opportunities for persons with a disability to participate and advance in society, including in sport
• Include people with a disability in all educational activities and sensitization programmes
• Put pressure on Governments to include persons with a disability in HIV/AIDS education and sensitization programmes
• Continue to educate women about the importance of participating in sport as a means to maintaining and improving health
• Continue to advocate for people with a disability to get more involved in community life, including sport
• Increased awareness about diversity in society

Policy recommendations:

• Encourage Diversity: create a wide range of sports and activities to attract and engage all groups in society to become and stay involved
• Focus on Role Models: actively recruit sport stars to act as appropriate role models and mentors to various groups, to ensure their greater commitment and motivation
• Local Community Planning: create structured programmes for sport and physical activity in the local community and ensure they are incorporated into wider community planning and infrastructure
• Proactive Communication: Ensure that all opportunities to get involved within sports clubs and local communities are known about and understood by a wide range of groups in society.