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The Power of Intangible Resources for Cause Champions in Sport‐For‐Development: A Singapore Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sophia Harith

    (Department of Management, LUNEX, Luxembourg / Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium)

  • Mathieu Marlier

    (Department of Management, LUNEX, Luxembourg)

  • Wai Cheong Eugene Chew

    (S R Nathan School of Human Development, Singapore University of Social Science, Singapore)

  • Mathieu Winand

    (Department of Management, LUNEX, Luxembourg)

  • Annick Willem

    (Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium)

Abstract

Cause champions are recognised to play a meaningful role in supporting the delivery and impact of sport‐for‐development (SFD) programmes. They are individuals who emerge from a programme’s target community and assume a leadership role to advocate for social change. However, there remains limited empirical inquiry on the factors that enable cause champions to thrive. Therefore, this study explored the most essential resources needed for cause champions to succeed in SportCares, an SFD organisation in Singapore. In total, 18 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with staff members, coaches, and cause champions. Three essential resources were identified: sustained tangible resources (i.e., funding and physical infrastructure), invested human capital (i.e., staff and coaches’ efforts), and organisational capital of emotional authenticity (i.e., sincerity through communication). The findings demonstrated that the interaction of these resources fostered a culture of care that supported the champion’s ability to advocate for social change. These results urge monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) practices to focus more on intangible and relational processes such as co‐creation sessions and authentic storytelling.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia Harith & Mathieu Marlier & Wai Cheong Eugene Chew & Mathieu Winand & Annick Willem, 2025. "The Power of Intangible Resources for Cause Champions in Sport‐For‐Development: A Singapore Case Study," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 13.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v13:y:2025:a:9426
    DOI: 10.17645/si.9426
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hambrick, Marion E. & Svensson, Per G. & Kang, Seungmin, 2019. "Using social network analysis to investigate interorganizational relationships and capacity building within a sport for development coalition," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(5), pages 708-723.
    2. Adam Cohen & Jon Welty Peachey, 2015. "The making of a social entrepreneur: From participant to cause champion within a sport-for-development context," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 111-125, January.
    3. Nico Schulenkorf, 2010. "The roles and responsibilities of a change agent in sport event development projects," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 118-128, April.
    4. Schulenkorf, Nico, 2010. "The roles and responsibilities of a change agent in sport event development projects," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 118-128, May.
    5. Cohen, Adam & Peachey, Jon Welty, 2015. "The making of a social entrepreneur: From participant to cause champion within a sport-for-development context," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 111-125.
    6. Marion E. Hambrick & Per G. Svensson & Seungmin Kang, 2019. "Using social network analysis to investigate interorganizational relationships and capacity building within a sport for development coalition," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(5), pages 708-723, December.
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