The aim of the paper is to generate empirically based sociological knowledge about a ‘Football
Fitness’ intervention carried out in associative sport clubs. There is an increased pressure on
the voluntary sector, e.g. the sport clubs, to embrace new segments of users and to meet social
and health-related societal challenges related to the welfare state.
The empirical material is based on six focus group interviews with female participants (aged
between 24 and 53) from different clubs all over Denmark. Approximately 32 people have
participated in these focus group interviews.
The manner in which recreational football activities and the ‘Football Fitness’ concept are
experienced from a participant perspective is examined. We investigate how the implementation
is actually carried out in the local football clubs and identify constraining and enabling
possibilities for the management of leisure time. We also examine how Football Fitness as an
activity and concept can ‘work’ for the participants in their everyday life. Even though it is a few
decades since Elias and Dunning wrote (1986: 93) that leisure remains relatively neglected as
an area of sociological research, their statement is still relevant, and inspired by them, we have
chosen to analyse Football Fitness as part of a spare-time spectrum. How do grown up women
make sense of their new ‘football lives’?