Do you want to know how you can use club sport as a tool for integration, then read along and get inspiration. The Danish sports clubs are an advantageous arena for the creation of democratic communities among members. We must bring this ability into play when we need to include refugees in Danish society. The community that exists in club sport can be a strong player in creating a good framework for the integration of refugees in Denmark. In the following speeches, we therefore highlight why it is so important to include refugees in the community. We also provide tips and tricks for a sustained effort.
How can we, as a union and voluntary, contribute to club sport as tool for integration?
Interacting with other members in the clubs creates a learning space for the refugees in terms of learning the Danish language as well as the norms and values at stake in the club life. The foundations of the club are based on the Danish Constitution, where everyone has the right to an opinion and that decisions are taken together. This approach is worth gold to refugees, as they learn about Danish culture and society, which can be the recipe for good integration.
But getting refugees associated with the union requires a sustained effort. Studies have shown that it is difficult to keep and get refugees into the sport of clubs because they do not know about the Danish culture of association and because the language barrier is often an obstacle when individuals contact clubs to hear about the possibility of participation for their children or themselves.
In addition, there is also an economic perspective for the refugees, as the integration benefit in Denmark is not flattering, which means that there is not much money left for club sports when the necessary expenses have been paid.
That is why we, as a union and volunteers, must help them get out and participate in the community, which is why we have put forward three good tips for attracting and supporting the refugees into the sport club.
1. Contact with different agencies and inform about your sport club
The refugees do not seek out the community themselves because many people do not know about it. They may get some information from their case worker, but it is rare that they move forward in the process. That’s why you as a union have to help them. You can do this by contacting the local language centre or school and informing about your club and inviting the refugees who want to try a training session at your club.
2. Contact person ensuring sustained efforts
After that, sustained efforts are essential. It’s not a given that refugees keep coming after the first training session. It therefore requires that you, as club, provide a contact person who acts as a helping hand, with training times, meeting places and as a companion.
You need the volunteers in your union to take responsibility for the refugees. It’s important that there’s a contact.
3. Aid to pay the quota
The last factor is the economic aspect. Fortunately, it is possible for you as club to seek support from different pools, to pay the quota for the new members if the economy is not there.
So let’s do it! With volunteerism and persistence, we can introduce our unique club life to newcomers and together use club sport as a tool for integration!
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