Who owns community sport?

This chapter considers the concept of ownership in relation to community, specifically voluntary sport. It outlines that whilst club members are the logical owners of community sport, there are many and varied stakeholders who can each claim to influence and in part own elements of community sport. The chapter charts the ways in which sports policy makers, national and local governments and sports governing bodies can shape the activities clubs undertake, often using funding to encourage club volunteers to meet broader governmental health and social objectives. The chapter also considers the rise of commercial community sport and the ways in which providers facilitate turn up, pay and play options for individuals able to afford it. The chapter illustrates some of the complexities of understanding ownership within a community sport context.