Racism in Sport: Exploring Equality Act and Call to Action Policy

In recent years, sporting governments in the United Kingdom and internationally have been compelled to advance and address the issue of inclusivity in sport with a focus on race. World-wide culture has played a pivotal role in current and historical discrimination regarding race and has proven to be a reason for divide in and out with sport. Many athletes have had their talents ignored due to bigotry and racism in sport, that is why I need to write an essay about this urgent issue. 

Racism has occupied society and sport for century’s and still remains prevalent despite vast measures taken world-wide. As this form of discrimination continues to fester in the world of sport, governments and connected organisations continue to stress ongoing policy’s and legislations with the outlook to abolish racism. Historically racism in sport was the norm, with black males not being allowed to partake or only being able to participate in inferior competitions and environments compared to their white counterparts. Before policies and legislations were introduced into the sporting world, black people were excluded from arranged sporting activities. The failure to provide those of this ethnicity with equal and adequate opportunities in a sporting environment lead to the on-going problem of their social exclusion. Slave owners would allow African Americans to play sport for their own entertainment, with the winners of the unofficial tournaments being gifted better clothing or easier labour jobs for their efforts. 

Calls for advancements and basic human rights have resulted in legislations and policies to be put in place to protect people from racism and discrimination. Policy can be defined as a regulation that has been adopted by governments or institutions with the outlook of influencing or determining a particular outcome. Legislation are legal requirements that are best described as a law or set of rules set by governments or organisations whilst also providing a governing framework. The key difference between policy and legislation are that policies are objectives created in order to achieve a goal whereas legislations are the key tools used to aid these objectives.

Analysis of the Equality Act 2010 and Relevant Governing Initiatives

A key legislation was passed in 2010 to target many forms of discrimination and inequality including racism. This was called the ‘Equality Act 2010’ and aimed to protect 9 vulnerable groups from being discriminated against. These groups being; race, age, sex, disability, civil partnership and marriage, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs. This was created to gather a number of pre existing laws together so its simpler in its use. The overall aim of the Equality Act 2010 it to create a fair playing field for those of all walks of life and promote a society free of discrimination.

Scotland’s national sporting agency, Sports Scotland have acknowledged the ‘Equality Act 2010’ and created initiatives’ to help support the legislation and abolish social exclusion. 2011 Census identifies that 96 per cent of Scotland’s population are white, with four per cent identifying in a minority ethnic group. Four per cent of the population connotates to 210,000 people. Sports Scotland have identified four major barriers to participation in ethnic minorities across the country and have created and are applying their solutions. These four main barriers are: racism, time and family time, image and support and coaching.

Research has found that 40 per cent of Indian, Pakistani, Black Caribbean and Black African women in England were prevented from participating is sport or physical activity due to home and family commitments. Studies show that parents of those in the ethnic minority have poor attitudes towards their children participating in sport for a number of reasons. Sports Scotland have retaliated to these findings by raising awareness and training on the subjects. They ensure that those delivering, planning and are around sport understand the problems within ethnic minorities participation and can acknowledge their experiences and barriers. They promise to actively train and recruit those from ethnic communities and get them involved in sport and coaching. Research around ethnic participation problems in sport highlight that self-image is a playing factor. Those of ethnic minorities have varied ideal goals and body images that their culture has influenced them to aspire to which can impact feelings towards sports participation, especially in women. Sports Scotland have tackled this issue by celebrating and promoting positive sport role models for those in ethnic minorities. Studies show that celebrating success in sport can a have positive impact on involvement.

Surveys show that only one per cent of qualified coaches are of those in the ethnic minority in the United Kingdom. The research also highlighted that there’s significant interest from those in the minority, but they are presented with barriers such as poor marketing, lack of information and visible role models. Sports Scotland have pledged to work with ethnic minority groups and organisations and anticipate this to kill this barrier. They encourage participants, employees and volunteers to work with and involve different communities in varied aspects of sporting activities. Ensuring strong links between the communities by taking advice for all stages of pathways promoting casual participation and regular involvement. Racism is said to be one of the main barriers to participating in sport for those in the ethnic minority in the United Kingdom. This can be due to previous discrimination in other aspects of their lives including school, work or even in the general public. Qualitative research has shown evidence of racism which has caused participants to stop taking part in sport due to others racial behaviours and understanding. The huge connection between racism, sport and social media highlights the ongoing problem with the two acting as a tool to spread abusive content and behaviours globally. To combat this problem, Sports Scotland demand all organisations and groups to have a clear procedure in reporting and tackling racism. Making this mandatory to all sports even if there is not a clear problem in that field. The aim is to help tackle fear of racism which is a significant barrier.

A project based in Edinburgh called Scoring a Goal for Inclusion is one of the outcomes of Sports Scotland’s policies being implemented into the community. This project is aimed at children from ethnic minorities to get involved in football at grass roots level and has proven to provide a pathway for girls into the game. Well known Edinburgh based clubs such as Spartans and the Hibernian Community Foundation have provided holiday camps and a free-flowing pathway into club football. The project has grown to 40 children and young people along with 10 volunteer coaches, giving those in the ethnic minority an equal opportunity to be involved in football. With more funding becoming available to the project, it will only continue to grow. This is only one of many positive outcomes that Sports Scotland’s policies and the Equality Act 2010 have generated which shows more children within the ethnic minority becoming involved in sport.

In comparison to the United Kingdom’s Equality Act 2010, the Canadian government passed a similar legislation in the hope of eliminating racial discrimination in their country. Canadian Race Relation Foundation Act was passed in 1991 with the purpose of aiding Canada’s elimination of racism which is also relevant to sport and inclusivity. The aims of this act are to; support and promote policies and programmes for the elimination of racial discrimination, collaborate with businesses and ethnic minority communities to provide equal opportunity for all, facilitate space for change in collaboration with ethnic minorities and increase public awareness of Canada’s non-tolerable act of racism.

Recommendations and Conclusion

In conclusion, ethnic minorities within sport have been impacted globally by legislation and policies for the better. Although racism and discrimination continue to fester in sport, huge strides have been made to keep it minimized, with the hope to abolish racism. In partnership with national and sporting governing bodies, the wider community have adopted a new mind set in regards overall social inclusion. Such legislation and acts have made a significant impact on society and have granted those in the ethnic minority the opportunity to participate in sport with significantly less barriers to overcome. Opportunities to be involved in sport in all capacities are now at their all-time high which has improved world sport and their racial views.

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