Perceived strategies to promote community support for school sports: insights from administrators, teachers, and students

Securing support from community members by the school administrators is vital for sports development, as the communities have the resources such as funds, facilities and human resources to enhance sports programmes in schools. This study aimed to determine the secondary school administrators’ strategies to gain the support of the community for reforming practices towards sports development. The study employed a multiple-embedded case study design within a qualitative research approach, conducted in six secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, involving 78 participants comprising school administrators, Physical education and sports teachers, and students. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and document reviews, and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that secondary school administrators are essential in securing community support by employing various community-gathering strategies to guarantee the development of sports in schools. The strategies include organising special days for sports which involve community members, requesting the use of community sports facilities, inviting community members to be involved in different school sports activities and requesting parents and guardians to support students to participate in sports. This research suggests that school administration should collaborate closely with the community and other stakeholders in the education system.