Managing sport for social change: The effects of intentional design and structure in a sport-based service learning initiative

•SFD paired with service learning demonstrated how intentional design, structure, and management can enhance social capital development.•College students who continued involvement with SFD program beyond initial service learning course increased social capital development.•Findings address gap in the literature on role of SFD programs in social capital development and how that role can be effectively managed.

The current study focused on addressing a gap in understanding the design, structure, and management of sport-for-development (SFD) initiatives, in this case an initiative rooted in sport-based service learning. Sport, and specifically SFD, has been shown to facilitate positive outcomes such as social capital development through expanding networks and community building. Some studies have focused on impacts on volunteers in sport and SFD programs. These volunteers have developed networks most often through informal relationship building activities. Building on this knowledge, the current mixed methods study investigated the social capital development of alumni of a college service learning through sport course. Survey data (n = 93) and individual interviews (n = 22) with participants who had completed at least one semester in the course indicated that social capital development was facilitated. In particular, the intentional design, structure, and management aspects of the course and program provided opportunities for social capital development.