The leaders of the UK’s five Sports Councils have explained why they believe the #TellYourStory research campaign can help to “understand and deconstruct systematic racism and discrimination”.
The campaign is part of a plan by UK Sport, Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland to tackle racism and racial inequalities across their nations, and develop a sporting community which is properly reflective of the societies they represent.
AKD Solutions has been appointed to lead the research which will gather 600 personal stories from a series of interviews and virtual forums, produced in a safe environment and without criticism or prejudice. The campaign will run until Monday 15 February 2021. To take part, visit storiesmatter.co.uk.
The Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University has been appointed to bring together existing data on race and ethnicity in sport and identify gaps within these records, gain greater insight into participation and progression barriers.
Both pieces of work are expected to be completed by March and will contribute to produce a final report and a roadmap for action as part of the ‘Tackling Racism and Racial Inequality in Sport’ initiative.
Antoinette McKeown, CEO of Sport Northern Ireland, said: “The only way we can begin to understand and deconstruct systematic racism and discrimination, is by recognising the lived experiences of specific communities, their under-representation in many areas of sport and the experience they face with racism.
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“These voices will add further weight to the data collection and make us more accountable for the shortfalls and a clear means of ensuring an anti-racist approach in all we do.”
Sarah Powell, Chief Executive of Sport Wales said: “The only way that we can make a real difference going forward, is to truly understand the full picture by hearing the experiences and difficulties that individuals have had to endure. There is a real commitment to make notable long-lasting change in a way that has not been achieved before. We urge people in Wales to come forward and take part and help us to turn things around.”
Stewart Harris, sportscotland CEO, said: “It is good to be progressing this work collaboratively alongside the other sport councils. This piece of research forms just one part of a much wider piece of work we are doing looking at inclusion and how we involve all sections of our communities and really listen to their experiences. Only by having these really important conversations can we ensure those views are reflected across the sporting system.”
Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport, said: “We recognise that while individually each sport council has sought to tackle the issue, it has not gone far enough or been done collectively. Working in partnership as sport councils, we are determined to take the lead and drive the change we want to see.”
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said: “For too long, deep-rooted issues have led to racial inequalities and racism going unchecked and the voices of those who have been most affected have been silenced or ignored. This is finally changing and part of our work as the leaders of the UK's five sports councils is to be part of that change and to gather a clear picture of where we are today and to fully understand what people have experienced. This project is an important next step and I am delighted we are taking it.”
