ABSTRACT

In beginning a chapter on social change and sport in a handbook on physical cultural studies (PCS), it is maybe fitting to draw inspiration from Paolo Freire. In outlining the process through which Myles Horton and Freire (Horton, Bell, Gaventa, and Peters, 1990: 6) would ‘talk a book’ about education and social change, Freire stated: ‘I think that even though we need to have some outline, I am sure that we make the road by walking.’ Freire’s phrase is important for us for two reasons. First, it captures the spirit of our chapter. The four of us share an interest in discussing the relationships between sport and social change and we have conceived of this chapter as an open and ongoing dialogue, hopefully one that will interest, and be an invitation to, other scholars and practitioners passionate about sport, physical culture, and social change. Second, Freire’s phrase parallels the thoughts of another prominent thinker. In his autobiography, Nelson Mandela stated:

I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

(Mandela, 1994: 625)