Inclusion for girls in sports across a triad of schools, community organizations and local government : a social network approach

![CDATA[Introduction: This research explores how stakeholder organizations (in this case a triad of schools, community/sports organizations, and a local Council) in a low socio economic area of Australia, network together to provide girls with opportunities to participate in organised sport. The development of social capital (Putnam 2000) involving social bonds, trust and reciprocity was foundational to the study. In particular the interrelationships or linking social capital (Szreter & Woodcock 2004) between people who were interacting across formal or institutionalized power gradients as these connections provided opportunities and resources for girls sports participation. Through hosting free sport/health events (with a ‘have a go philosophy’) during and after school, the “Women’s sport roadshow program” provided a safe, aspirational context for girls to try new sports and engage with positive female sporting role models. This goal was relevant to the targeted community which had low levels of physical activity particularly among adolescent girls. Method: Interviews were conducted with stakeholders/organisational employees operating at the meso level such as teachers from Roadshow Schools, Council employees and national, state, and local sport organizations. Results: The research showed how sport opportunities can be developed through social networks that bring organizations together through reciprocity and trust building between stakeholders to achieve a common goal of greater sports participation for girls. The results demonstrate how at the miso level the skills and knowledge fostered through sport can help girls to build resilience, overcome adversity and contribute to their empowerment both within and outside the sport context. Conclusion: As well as networks facilitating inclusion there was also a disturbing lack of physical activity and social connections within local environments for girls to try, learn and maintain their longer-term involvement in sport/physical activity. More development work is needed at the meso level to enable possibilities for this cohort of girls.]]