Sport ecosystem and territorial development: essay to elaborate a theoretical model of youth social inclusion through sport in Morocco

Abstract

The overall objective of this paper is the conceptualization of sport as a territorial ecosystem, clearly defining the roles and participation modalities of the different actors and stakeholders. The intention is to guarantee a consolidated social inclusion and a socio-professional integration creating sustainable territorial development through sport. In this perspective, the sport ecosystem represents a precious asset for research. Sport can represent a good factor for the inclusion of socially disadvantaged groups, especially young people, and can be a truly powerful educational tool in promoting social inclusion and professional integration. In this logic, this paper aims to find a new, innovative way to explain different elements of sport and social inclusion and improve youth proactivity. The topic is important, because of the problem of increasing number of young people that have problem of social exclusion, less physical activity and unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore trough the conception of a territorial sport ecosystem it is possible to act preventively on a "disease" that after installed can become incurable. This paper first presents the theory and concepts related to territorial sport ecosystem and social inclusion before providing case studies that demonstrate the theories in sports contexts. The purpose is to offering insights to propose - thanks to a rigorous theoretical and empirical study - a model of territorial development through the creation of a sports ecosystem, and understand how well the sports logic can coexist with the social inclusive logic.