Health-promoting sports clubs in practice: Management leadership in implementing health promotion
Petra Ozbolt, Susanna Geidne, Helena Ericson, Anne Timm, Nicola Briggs, Malte Nejst Larsen, Anne Vuillemin, Stacey Johnson, Kevin Barros, Spartaco Grieco, Rochelle Eime, Luke Wolfenden, Arthur Lefebvre, Jan Seghers, Aoife Lane, Linda Ooms, Christophe Meyer, Patrik Peroša, Vassilis Sevdalis, Beatrix Algurén, Farid Bardid, Aurélie Van HoyeObjective:
There is limited evidence on how sports clubs implement health promotion (HP) through a settings-based approach. This study explored how grassroots sports club promote health by examining their organisational contexts and the roles of sports managers across different stages of HP implementation.
Design:
Qualitative multiple case study design.
Setting:
Grassroots sports clubs operating in five countries.
Method:
Six sports clubs were selected based on predefined criteria: affiliation with a national sports federation, more than 5 years of operation, and provision of sports activities for at least four age categories. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with sports club managers. A deductive thematic analysis was conducted using the Health Promoting Sports Club (HPSC) logic model to examine inputs, activities, outcomes, and impacts, alongside managerial roles across different stages of HP development.
Results:
Sports clubs varied in organisational context and orientation towards HP, with implementation stages ranging from initial activity-based approaches to fully embedded, organisation-wide strategies. Managerial leadership emerged as a key driver of progression, evolving from basic coordination in the early stages to strategic planning, partnership development, and system integration in more advanced stages. Common inputs included support from sports federations, municipalities, volunteers, and local partnerships. HP activities included health education integrated into training, inclusive and accessible programmes, safeguarding policies, and community-oriented events. Reported outcomes included improved health literacy, safer sports practices, and enhanced organisational competence. Long-term impacts were perceived as healthier lifestyles, stronger social cohesion, and improved club sustainability.
Conclusion:
Grassroots sports clubs represent a valuable setting for HP; however, health impact depends on the extent to which HP is systematically embedded within organisational policies, practices, and culture. Managerial capacity and multi-level partnerships are critical mechanisms for achieving sustainable HP development.