Sport and recreation sector commit to tackling inequality

In the wake of the appalling death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the global protests that have followed and the powerful message of the Black Lives Matter movement has made every section of society take notice and confront an ugly truth.

The Sport + Recreation Alliance (SRA) has issued a statement (14 June) that addresses current failures concerned with fair treatment and representation of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) individuals within sport, from grassroots level to the boardroom.

Archery GB, along with more than 80 other sport governing bodies, has endorsed the statement, which also acknowledges the influential role that sport and recreation has in bringing about meaningful change, and that this period has rightly led the sector to reflect, listen, question, learn and openly discuss how to take positive action. It is now recognised that relying solely on the positive impact of elite sport's black role models is not enough.

Research by the SRA (2018) showed that four in ten (40%) of BAME participants have endured a negative experience in sport or physical activity settings, more than double that of white participants. A 2020 Sport England report demonstrates that just over 50% of black people in England meet the recommended levels of physical activity each week.

The Diversity in Sport Governance report (2018/19) identified there is only 5% BAME board representation across Sport England and UK Sport funded organisations. Constructive work has already been started to address a number of these problems including a committed effort to increase boardroom diversity, additional funding to tackle inequality and an array of inspiring inclusiveness projects from across the sport and recreation sector. This can only be seen as the start.

The SRA statement goes on to say: ‘Systemic change must be made at all levels so that we can become truly reflective of our wonderfully diverse society. 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.

‘To help us achieve this, there has to be a commitment for a significant increase in resources and funding, as has been dedicated to address other areas of inequality. We have welcomed the recent news of the Sports Minister's decision to review the Sports Governance Code.'

Change will require a consolidated approach both from within and outside of our sector, say the SRA, which will mean it is time for everyone in sport to: ‘face awkward questions, to become involved in uncomfortable conversations and to hold ourselves to account'.

The list of sports bodies that have endorsed this statement can be seen below: