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Belgium/Flanders: The Evolution of Flemish Sports Clubs as the Cornerstone of Society from Past to Present to Future

In: Functions of Sports Clubs in European Societies

Author

Listed:
  • Joris Corthouts

    (University of Leuven, Policy in Sports & Physical Activity Research Group)

  • Bart Verschueren

    (University of Leuven, Policy in Sports & Physical Activity Research Group)

  • Elien Claes

    (Golazo Belgium)

  • Jeroen Scheerder

    (University of Leuven, Policy in Sports & Physical Activity Research Group)

Abstract

Flanders (Belgium) has a long history of organising sports in a club-organised context. From the 1970s onwards, Flanders counts as one of the European pioneers of implementing Sport for All initiatives in order to facilitate active participation in sports. Crucial for the potential social-integrating and health-enhancing role of sports and physical activity is the number of volunteers sports clubs can invoke. This chapter provides insight into the structure and culture of Flemish sports clubs by discussing their development, organisation and management, as well as attitudes regarding social inclusion and volunteering. The results show that – compared to other countries – Flemish sports clubs are large in number and small in size, that they face few problems upon recruiting and/or retaining volunteers, and that they are seen as an important setting for social activities. With regard to social integration we can state, based on the findings, that target groups are reached at least to a certain extent, albeit mainly by ethnically homogeneous clubs.

Suggested Citation

  • Joris Corthouts & Bart Verschueren & Elien Claes & Jeroen Scheerder, 2020. "Belgium/Flanders: The Evolution of Flemish Sports Clubs as the Cornerstone of Society from Past to Present to Future," Sports Economics, Management, and Policy, in: Siegfried Nagel & Karsten Elmose-Østerlund & Bjarne Ibsen & Jeroen Scheerder (ed.), Functions of Sports Clubs in European Societies, chapter 0, pages 35-64, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:semchp:978-3-030-48535-1_3
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-48535-1_3
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