Co-creating family cricket for intergenerational physical activity and social cohesion in blacks and South Asians

Niyi-Odumosu, Faatihah; Vasenin, Mikhail; Iliasu Yakubu, Seidina; Adesope, Abolanle; Jose, Alosh

Abstract

Background: Black and South Asian (SA) communities, constituting over 10% of the UK population, exhibit notably low levels of physical activity (PA), contributing to increased health disparities. However, cricket is a popular sport among the SA and Caribbean diaspora in the UK.
Purpose: To examine whether the Family Backyard Cricket (FBYC) initiative, alongside a tailored cricket programme could foster physical activity, intergenerational engagement, and cultural integration within these communities.
Method: Two gender-specific co-development sessions engaged twelve participants (n=12; 6 males) from target communities to formulate FBYC protocols. Open-ended questions about designing a culturally appropriate initiative were considered. These sessions highlighted a notable demand for initiatives fostering inclusive family and community engagement. Subsequently, a pilot study was conducted in three centres: Bristol, Leeds, and Newcastle to assess the initiative's practicality.
Results: Thirty-one participants (n =31) (primary school children, parents, and grandparents) aged 5 to 55 years, 11 Black and South Asian families partook in trial events. The low PA levels and engagement noted across families were due to limited access to culturally appropriate exercise settings and family-oriented programmes. Promising outcomes, such as self-reported improved physical activity, strengthened family cohesion, and enhanced community interaction, indicating the potential of FBYC as a community-based PA model were observed. The findings emphasize the necessity to involve local schools and establish culturally suitable venues to address these challenges.
Conclusion: Utilizing FBYC to foster intergenerational PA and cultural integration shows promise as a scalable model for community-based fitness programmes. It effectively addresses barriers to sports involvement and harnesses cricket's broad appeal among diverse racial groups.
Future research: Investigating the long-term effects of cricket (or FBYC) on participants' physical, mental, and social well-being, as well as strategies for its adoption and sustainability.
Funding: This project received a grant from Innovate UK: Inclusive Innovation Award (2023-24)
Keywords: Cultural integration, Diaspora, Family Backyard Cricket, Intergenerational, Physical activity

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: ISPAH CONGRESS 2024
• Start Date: Oct 28, 2024
• End Date: Oct 31, 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 10, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13735042