15 Jun 2020 Black Lives Matter: sports sector 'hasn't done enough' on inequalities BY Tom Walker |
The sport and physical activity sector "hasn't done enough" to tackle persisting inequalities within the industry, according to a statement signed by more than 80 leading UK sports organisations. The unprecedented statement was published by the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA) and was signed by the likes of the RFU, UK Athletics, British Cycling and England Netball. Addressing the global protests and the "powerful message" of the Black Lives Matter movement, the statement said the events of recent weeks had made "every section of society take notice and confront an ugly truth". "Sport has an influential role to bring about meaningful change and this period has rightly led the sector to reflect, listen, question, learn and openly discuss how to take positive action," the statement reads. "It is acknowledged that up to this point, we have not done enough." "It is time to confront racism and inequality that exists across sport, from grassroots participation through to the boardroom." Research from 2018 by SRA shows that four in ten (40 per cent) of black and minority ethnic (BAME) participants have endured a negative experience in sport or physical activity settings – more than double that of white participants. The latest activity figures from Sport England show that just over 50 per cent of black people in England meet the recommended levels of physical activity each week. The Diversity in Sport Governance report (from 2018-19) identified that only 5 per cent of board members, across Sport England and UK Sport-funded organisations, were from a BAME background. "Systemic change must be made at all levels so that we can become truly reflective of our wonderfully diverse society," the statement reads. "We can no longer rely on black role models at the elite level speaking out, we must join together to become better and to support every member of the sport and recreation community. "We must become more inclusive. We must create opportunities which are truly accessible. We must do more." A spokesperson for SRA added: "We are continuously receiving further support on this statement. "Many organisations in the sector have released, or plan to release, individual statements too." The full list of signatories is below: Activity Alliance Angling Trust Archery GB Associated Board of Dance Association for Physical Education Association of British Riding Schools Association of Colleges Badminton England Basketball England Boccia England Bowls England British American Football British Association for Shooting and Conservation British Blind Sport British Canoeing British Cycling British Dodgeball British Dressage British Fencing British Gymnastics British Kite Flying Association British Martial Arts and Boxing Association British Mountaineering Council British Nordic Walking British Orienteering British Para Table Tennis British Rowing British Shooting British Showjumping British Student Taekwondo Federation British Triathlon British Universities & Colleges Sport British Water Ski & Wakeboard British Weight Lifting British Wrestling EMD UK England and Wales Cricket Board England Boxing England Golf England Hockey England Korfball England Lacrosse England Netball England Squash English Ice Hockey Association English Indoor Bowling Association English Karate Federation Federation of English Karate Associations Goalball UK Golf Club Managers Association Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Karate Union of Great Britain Lawn Tennis Association League Managers Association Leap Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport LimbPower North Yorkshire Sport Northern Counties Dance Teachers Association Para Dance UK Pentathlon GB Rounders England Rugby Football League Rugby Football Union Skateboard England & Skateboard GB Snowsport England Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Sport and Recreation Alliance Swim England Table Tennis England The British Sub-Aqua Club The Eton Fives Association The Golf Foundation The Keep Fit Association The Laban Guild for Movement and Dance The National Association of Karate and Martial Arts Schools The Professional Golfers' Association Trail Riders Fellowship Triathlon England UK Athletics UK Ultimate UKA Dance Yorkshire Sport Foundation Youth Sport Trust Close Window |