Sport, Identity and Community

Book excerpt: This volume was first published by Inter-Disciplinary Press in 2016. Sport is multi-billion dollar business. Sport is a kick around in the park. Sport is high (and low) politics. Sport is said to shape admirable personal qualities. Sport is said to embed the worst of white male heterosexual able-bodied privilege. Sport is said to break down social barriers. Sport is said to entrench a narrow nationalism. The list of what sport is said to be can be extended almost ad infinitum. This e-book attempts to make sense of some of the multiplicity of the ‘things’ that sport can be, mean and do. The papers in this volume explore the diversity of sport, providing insights from a wealth of perspectives into this ubiquitous cultural practice. The e-book will appeal to students, practitioners and readers who want to gain a fuller understanding of the games we watch and play.