Beyond the Game: Cricket as a Pathway to Belonging Among Refugees in the Netherlands

Abstract

In a world increasingly marked by displacement and division, the need to create spaces of genuine belonging has never been more urgent. This thesis investigates how cricket, a sport with deep historical, cultural, and communal dimensions, can serve as a pathway to belonging for refugees in the Netherlands. While much of the migration literature emphasizes structural integration, this study centers on belonging as an emotional, relational, and dynamic experience. Through a qualitative case study combining 10 semi-structured interviews and over 18 hours of field observations, the research identifies three core elements that make cricket uniquely suited for fostering belonging: its extended duration, its multicultural nature, and its strong sense of community. These insights inform the design of CRICK-EAT, an intervention that weaves together cricket, food, and storytelling to cultivate emotional safety, cultural recognition, and meaningful social ties. By bridging theory and practice, this thesis not only contributes to the academic understanding of belonging but also offers a practical model for reimagining sport as a space of connection and belonging.