Be an inclusive, empowering and supportive sports clubs manager: health promoting sports club management implementation guide

Sports clubs play a key role in fostering members’ physical, mental and social well-being. Nevertheless, grassroots sports clubs are typically managed by volunteers who sometimes lack the knowledge and support needed to promote members’ health and well-being, beyond the technical and tactical aspects of sport. This implementation guide is designed to support sports club managers (‎volunteers, leaders or executive or board members, which could include parents and sport participants)‎ and anyone interested in promoting health in and through organized sports. The first section of this guide provides a theoretical background, including characteristics and roles of health promoting sports managers, and the stages of progression in health promoting sports club practices. The second section provides case studies of good practice demonstrating how sports clubs can promote health. The third section introduces an observational tool to assess how a sports club’s environment is health promoting. The fourth section presents strategies for managers to implement health promotion. This practical guide outlines a clear process for integrating health promotion within sports clubs and highlights how managers can serve as key contributors to healthier communities by empowering and supporting the health and well-being of sports participants and club members.