Commercial sport organisations and community capacity building: a case study of two surf parks

Commercial sector sport organisations increasingly lead innovation in sport delivery and consumption. Despite this, the ways in which sport contributes to community capacity building and sport-for-development has only ever been considered from public and third sector perspectives. Using a qualitative dual case study approach in the commercial surf park context, this research examined how commercial sport organisations can contribute to community capacity building. The findings demonstrate how partnerships among commercial, public and third sector actors encouraged mutual organisational capacity building among partners, facilitated diverse inter-community ties and capacity building outcomes in the wider community. Recognising the role commercial sport actors can play in community capacity building, and equally, the potential utility of lifestyle sports in sport-for-development, engenders a more inclusive, holistic understanding of sport-for development. The findings support the contention that effective community capacity building through sport requires sport actors to align more with less-traditional partners not ordinarily considered part of the recognised sport system.Commercial sport organisations can contribute positively to community capacity building.Commercial sport organisations can stimulate alliance formation among diverse community stakeholders.Organisational capacity outcomes from sport-based alliances can be leveraged for community capacity building.Considering commercial sport in community capacity building engenders a more holistic understanding of sport and community development.Effective community capacity building through sport requires sport actors to align more with less-traditional partners.