When we hear of events like the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool, we know we are all, to a degree, responsible. Something has gone amiss with our society.
Comment from politicians, commentators and the public over the last few days has focused on the breakdown in communities. Former Conservative Leader, Ian Duncan Smith, observed that ‘gangs are the new families’.
Robert D Putnam, in his groundbreaking book, Bowling Alone: the Collapse and Revival of American Community, showed how Americans have become disconnected from family, friends and neighbours, impoverishing both their lives and their communities. Now, more Americans are bowling than ever before - but they aren’t bowling in leagues.
We aren’t very far behind America. Watching the images and discussion from and around Liverpool reveals how the old threads holding communities together are breaking. Why? There are ready answers - cuts in public funding; parental failure; computer games; lack of support for youth activities, the church, working men’s clubs, sports clubs.
Remedies lie with all of us - including our industry. Gangs are teams with either the wrong purpose, or without any real aim. We have to find ways of binding people together - especially young people. This ‘social capital’ is built through hundreds of little and big actions. It is achieved through leadership, through organization, through motivation. And our industry has more options, more opportunities than any other - which means also, more responsibility.
What inspired Rhys Jones, in his short life? Football, and his beloved Everton FC. And both Everton and Liverpool FC have set a great example this week by entertaining the Jones family and giving very public backing to their story.
Sport and leisure must go on playing a key part in the building of communities. Teams are better than gangs - and our industry knows that best. Being part of a team, joining a club, playing sport together - whether formally or informally - are major parts of the crucial glue that creates communities and holds them together.
