The significance of sports clubs within multicultural society. On the accumulation of social capital by migrants in culturally “mixed” and “separate” sports clubs

Abstract

In the Netherlands, but also in other Western European countries, the vast majority of migrants who participate in club sports, do so in longstanding sports clubs where native members predominate. Some, however, prefer to play sport in clubs run and dominated by migrants. For the purpose of this study a “mixed” club refers to a club in which people belonging to the ethnic majority and ethnic minorities are mingled; a “separate” club refers to a club in which only ethnic minorities are members, although more than one ethnic minority may be present.Policymakers often resist the establishment and preservation of organisations along ethnic lines. Sports clubs established by and for migrants might hinder their process of integration. How valid is this argument? Does self-organisation in sport by migrants create a barrier for integration in wider society or does it instead offer a useful leg up? This article presents the findings of a large-scale empirical study into the significance of the sports club within multicultural society. In particular, it examines the various ways in which ethnic diversity is organised in sport. Putnam’s (2000) social capital approach provides the theoretical framework for this research. The results confirm that migrants in both kinds of sports clubs are able to accumulate considerable social capital. The members of both types of club gain contacts, knowledge and skills. At the same time, both kinds of club fulfil different roles for their members.