The article reviews the literature and questions the understandings of sport which typically underpin interventions in response to drug use and criminal behavior among young people. Rather than focusing on contrasts between sport and deviant behavior, the article draws attention to the commonality of sporting and criminal/drug use experiences. It makes a case for the use of sport within the framework of holistic community development interventions in preference to punitive diversionary measures. It examines several programs that use links with sports teams to introduce local residents, particularly those from socially excluded groups, to community activities. The article emphasizes the importance of sports-led interventions being grounded in the provision of appropriate, non-judgmental and supportive local opportunities for personal development in terms of education, health, friendship, and employment. There may be a need to encourage a greater willingness on the part of specialist drug and criminal justice agencies to work in partnership with non-drug-specific agencies providing expertise in the delivery of community sports programs. The article concludes that young people are more likely to engage in life-altering programs if they consider that the programs are teaching something they consider worth knowing. Notes, references