Black Lives Matter: sports sector 'hasn't done enough' on inequalities
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 TrustArchery GB
Associated Board of DanceAssociation for Physical Education
Association of British Riding SchoolsAssociation of Colleges
Badminton EnglandBasketball England
Boccia EnglandBowls England
British American FootballBritish Association for Shooting and Conservation
British Blind SportBritish Canoeing
British CyclingBritish Dodgeball
British DressageBritish Fencing
British GymnasticsBritish Kite Flying Association
British Martial Arts and Boxing AssociationBritish Mountaineering Council
British Nordic WalkingBritish Orienteering
British Para Table TennisBritish Rowing
British ShootingBritish Showjumping
British Student Taekwondo FederationBritish Triathlon
British Universities & Colleges SportBritish Water Ski & Wakeboard
British Weight LiftingBritish Wrestling
EMD UKEngland and Wales Cricket Board
England BoxingEngland Golf
England HockeyEngland Korfball
England LacrosseEngland Netball
England SquashEnglish Ice Hockey Association
English Indoor Bowling AssociationEnglish Karate Federation
Federation of English Karate AssociationsGoalball UK
Golf Club Managers AssociationGreat Britain Wheelchair Rugby
Karate Union of Great BritainLawn Tennis Association
League Managers AssociationLeap
Leicester-Shire and Rutland SportLimbPower
North Yorkshire SportNorthern Counties Dance Teachers Association
Para Dance UKPentathlon GB
Rounders EnglandRugby Football League
Rugby Football UnionSkateboard England & Skateboard GB
Snowsport EnglandSport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Sport and Recreation AllianceSwim England
Table Tennis EnglandThe British Sub-Aqua Club
The Eton Fives AssociationThe Golf Foundation
The Keep Fit AssociationThe Laban Guild for Movement and Dance
The National Association of Karate and Martial Arts SchoolsThe Professional Golfers' Association
Trail Riders FellowshipTriathlon England
UK AthleticsUK Ultimate
UKA DanceYorkshire Sport Foundation
Youth Sport Trust
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