Digital sports are already part of everyday life for many people. MASBLOX is exploring how they can also become a pathway into more inclusive sports communities.
The MASBLOX research found a significant gap between participants’ engagement with digital games and the use of eSports within professional sports environments. While digital gaming is relatively common among participants, sports professionals across the five countries reported limited use of eSports in training and inclusion activities.
Despite this limited integration, participants recognised the potential of digital environments to reduce physical barriers, facilitate social interaction and create opportunities for shared participation.
In Portugal, for example, participants with disabilities highlighted the possibility of participating from home, interacting socially and competing on more equal terms. Sports professionals viewed eSports as a complementary tool that could support motivation, teamwork and accessibility.
Similar perspectives emerged elsewhere. In Belgium, participants saw eSports as a way to reduce physical barriers and foster community, while also raising questions about isolation and the connection between digital participation and real-world inclusion.
The research therefore does not present eSports as a replacement for physical sport. Instead, it points towards a hybrid approach, where digital environments can complement traditional sport and create new entry points for participation.
This is at the heart of the MASBLOX concept: using Roblox and game-based experiences as a bridge between digital and physical sport, helping people connect, gain confidence and discover Mixed Ability Sports in an accessible environment.
