Breaking Barriers: Identifying and Overcoming Social Exclusion in Voluntary Sports Clubs for Older Adults Affected by Poverty

Poverty and social exclusion are intricately linked and can lead to profound health and social repercussions. Participation in voluntary sport clubs (VSCs) could help counteract these consequences, but those affected by poverty are underrepresented.

Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with 14 participants in a targeted sports programme reveals four key barriers to participation in VSCs: financial costs, stigma, concerns about keeping up physically, and lack of social contacts in VSCs. Beyond financial constraints, participants highlighted the significant impact of stigma related to appearance, physical ability, and social identity, which discouraged participation in mainstream VSCs. These stigma concerns, coupled with fears of not meeting performance expectations, further led individuals to prefer training alongside others in similar life situations. Moreover, the absence of personal connections to VSC members limited participants’ awareness of and access to suitable sports opportunities, reinforcing their exclusion from these settings.

The findings emphasise the need for VSCs to adapt their practices to address the multidimensional exclusionary processes faced by people affected by poverty. To enhance VSC access, low-cost and proactive outreach strategies that address concerns related to performance expectations are crucial. Older adults affected by poverty, in particular, seem to benefit from these tailored approaches. Addressing stigma through public awareness and inclusive practices could further enhance participation, while policy interventions supporting these changes would ensure sustainable and equitable access to sports opportunities.