Return2Sport Scotland

Researching Lifelong Participation, Belonging and Return to Sport

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Return2Sport is an emerging research and development initiative exploring how adults reconnect with sport, movement, confidence and belonging later in life.

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Many people drift away from sport due to life circumstances, confidence, injury, health challenges, negative past experiences, feeling out of place within sporting environments, or simply not feeling that traditional pathways fit them anymore. Yet the desire to participate, improve, compete, belong and reconnect often remains.

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Our current pilot research is initially focused within Ayrshire communities, with a long-term vision of supporting adult return-to-sport participation across Scotland.

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We are currently conducting early-stage research, community engagement and exploratory conversations to better understand:

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• barriers to returning to sport

• confidence and belonging within sporting environments

• lifelong participation in physical activity

• adult development and progression within community sport

• inclusive and community-centred approaches to participation

• how group dynamics and earlier sporting experiences may influence lifelong engagement in sport​

The initiative is informed by lived experience, grassroots sport involvement, previous experience within sports development, and ongoing study within Sports Development & Coaching.

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At this stage, Return2Sport is operating primarily as a research and sport development project focused on listening, learning, building connections and exploring future pilot opportunities.

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Our long-term aim is to help shape welcoming, sustainable and meaningful pathways back into sport for adults across Scotland.