Promoting health through sports: WHO’s new guide for clubs and communities

Encouraging health-enhancing physical activity is at the core of WHO/Europe's new guidance for sports clubs, managers and decision-makers. Although sport has long been celebrated for its physical, mental and social benefits, participation in sport does not automatically lead to better health. Injuries, exclusion, discrimination or unhealthy sponsorships can undermine its positive effects. Recognizing this, the "Health Promoting Sports Club Management implementation guide" aims to embed health promotion into the core of sporting life.

The new guide was launched at a conference in Lithuania dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of the European network for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA Europe Network). HEPA is supported by WHO and is a key output of the "Promoting physical activity and health in sports clubs" working group. The network brings together organizations and institutions at the regional, national or subnational level, who are willing to contribute to the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity.

Promoting health through sport: not just for athletes

"Across the WHO European Region, millions of people participate in organized sport through community sports clubs. These clubs are more than just places for training or competition - they can promote physical activity and influence the lifestyles of our children, families and communities. With 54 million participants supported by 27 million volunteers, sports clubs have the potential to foster healthier generations," said Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe, WHO/Europe Regional Adviser for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity.

Physical activity is among the most effective ways to reduce the risks of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. In the European Union alone, increasing physical activity to the minimum WHO-recommended levels (150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week) would prevent 11.5 million new cases of NCDs by 2050, including 3.8 million cases of cardiovascular diseases and more than 400 000 cases of cancer. The economic benefits of increasing physical activity are estimated at €8 billion annually.

What is a health promoting sports club?

A club that promotes health does more than build athletes - it builds prosperous societies, strengthening connections within communities and promoting inclusion and healthier choices.

"Sport settings are ideal to promote health, as most Europeans practice sport to improve their health. Sports organizations have a key role to play in promoting health but lack know-how on its development and implementation," said Dr Aurelie Van Hoye, Professor at Université de Lorraine, France, and leader of the "Promoting physical activity and health in sports clubs" working group of HEPA Europe.

The WHO/Europe guide defines a health promoting sports club as a non-profit club that intentionally and systematically integrates health promotion into its policies, strategies and activities. Rather than focusing only on outcomes, such as fitness or performance, these clubs embed health in everything they do and promote a culture where health is central to everyday practice.

Key principles include:

1. promoting multiple health topics (not only physical activity, but also nutrition, inclusion, sustainability, mental health and injury prevention);
2. engaging all members - coaches, managers, athletes and parents - in decision-making;
3. involving external partners, such as municipalities or health professionals;
4. tailoring health promotion to each club's specific context; and
5. treating health promotion as an ongoing, evolving process.

The stages of development: from passive to comprehensive

The WHO/Europe guide introduces a staged model that shows how clubs can gradually transform. This staged approach makes it clear that health promotion is a journey, not a one-time project. Clubs can start small - by offering free water, banning smoking or involving parents in activities - and progress toward more structured, sustainable strategies.

Practical tools: evaluation forms and checklists

One of the report's most practical contributions is its observation checklist and evaluation forms, designed to help managers assess their club environment. These tools allow clubs to review areas such as:

• digital presence (website and social media)
• facilities and surroundings
• locker rooms and restrooms
• cafeterias and food options.

Each checklist includes concrete items (e.g. "Is healthy food available in the cafeteria?" or "Is the club accessible for people with disabilities?"). Clubs can score their performance, identify gaps and set priorities for improvement. Importantly, the forms also include recommendations for managers, turning evaluation into action.

For decision-makers - local authorities, federations or health agencies - these forms provide a way to monitor progress, ensure accountability and support funding applications. By using standardized evaluation, it becomes easier to compare clubs, share best practices and scale successful initiatives across communities.

A tool for healthier communities

The WHO/Europe guide emphasizes that health promotion is not an "extra task" but a strategic investment. For policy-makers, supporting health promoting sports clubs means advancing public health goals while reinforcing social cohesion and inclusion.

WHO/Europe is collaborating with the Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission to support EU Member States in the implementation of HEPA policies and tracking progress through the HEPA Monitoring Framework.

"The new WHO/Europe guide provides countries with the tools to turn this vision into reality," added Dr Stephen Whiting, Technical Officer at WHO/Europe. "In the European Union and beyond, this tool can support sport clubs to be a driver in advancing toward healthier, more resilient societies."