The experience of community sport development: a case study of Blaenau Gwent

In this paper, the experience of community sport development (CSD) is explored through case study evidence from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council – an area of social disadvantage in the South Wales valleys. An empirically informed theoretical account is presented based on three key themes: (a) community development and social capital; (b) nurturing citizenship; and (c) resistance to paternalism. As a result, a re-conceptualisation of CSD is advanced in which there is an explicit recognition of the tripartite relationship between community, citizens and providers as part of an understanding of new governance. This in turn requires a shift away from dichotomous ‘bottom–up’ and ‘top–down’ approaches towards a non-hierarchical emphasis for CSD.