In our series of articles, we discuss topical issues facing the legal industry and the wider world, all through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion (D, E & I). This month’s article focuses on the world of sports, inspired by the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In recent years, the conversation around Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) has moved from the margins to the mainstream, and this shift is both necessary and deserved. However, despite this progress, the sports industry still faces a notable lack of diversity.
The strength of sport lies in its capacity to bring together people from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Yet, acknowledging and embracing diversity is not just a matter of ethics; it is a strategic necessity. It plays a crucial role in determining an organisation’s success, relevance, and capacity to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse global environment.
"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does” – Nelson Mandela
Addressing this diversity gap is essential for ensuring fair opportunities for everyone to contribute and succeed. By tackling these disparities, sports organisations can drive meaningful change, spark innovation, enhance performance, and build a more inclusive environment for both athletes and fans.
Nonetheless, embracing diversity in sports goes beyond meeting quotas—it's about leveraging a wide range of talents and viewpoints to elevate the entire field.
What is Diversity and inclusion in sports?
Diversity in sports includes a wide range of attributes, such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and abilities. However, this objective goes beyond superficial representation; it is to build an environment that genuinely values and harnesses the diverse spectrum of human differences.
Inclusion in sports goes beyond simply having diverse representation. It means creating an environment where everyone feels truly welcomed, respected, and valued, and where diverse perspectives are actively heard and considered.
Sports in the UK
In the UK, sports are managed by UK Sport, an organisation dedicated to distributing government resources to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes, fund participation, and enhance the overall quality of sports throughout the country.
Through a network of National Governing Bodies (NGBs), UK Sport allocates funding and grants to develop strategies for improving and expanding sporting opportunities while regulating club memberships across the UK.
Since its establishment in 1997, UK Sport has led the way in advancing high-performance sports. Through strategic investments of National Lottery and government funds, UK Sport has transformed the sporting landscape, resulting in unprecedented achievements in Olympic and Paralympic events. Today, the UK is renowned not only for its remarkable medal successes but also for its outstanding ability to host major sporting events.
Fun facts about sport in the UK:
The UK is recognised by many governing bodies, including FIFA, as the birthplace of modern football with rules dating back as far as 1863. The UK is also the home of the most-watched football league in the world: the Premier League.
Rugby union is ranked as the second most popular sport in the UK. The first-ever international rugby match was between England and Scotland which took place on March 27, 1871.
Cricket was invented in England with laws dating back to 1788 by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
England is the birthplace of modern-day tennis. The world's oldest tennis tournament, the Wimbledon Championship, was first held in England in 1877.
Key Facts and Figures in UK Sports
To have meaningful discussions, we need to consider some facts about underrepresented and underfunded groups in sports. In this article, we will cover:
Women in Sports
Ethnic Minorities in Sports
LGBTQ+ and Sports
Disability and Sports
Women in Sports: The Challenges
Despite significant progress towards gender equality in sports, sexism remains a widespread issue with outdated stereotypes and gender discrimination. Recent research from Insurance4Sport gathered commentary from those who do not believe there is gender inequality in sports, which uncovered some worrying attitudes:
‘My local men’s first team could beat the England ladies’ team quite easily’
‘Women should play sport that is suited to them, like the egg and spoon race!’
‘Women should not be paid anywhere near as much as male sports stars’
These comments reveal a concerning persistence of sexist attitudes towards women’s sports. The views expressed not only reflect a lack of understanding and respect for the achievements of female athletes but also reinforce harmful stereotypes that undermine efforts toward gender equality in sports.
There are other challenges faced by women in sport, too. Ahead of International Women’s Day, Woman in Sport found that more than one million teenage girls (43%) who once considered themselves ‘sporty’, disengage from sport following primary school. A fear of feeling judged by others (68%), lack of confidence (61%), pressures of schoolwork (47%) and not feeling safe outside (43%) were some of the reasons given for not wanting to participate.
To keep young girls engaged in sports, it is essential to create supportive environments, provide targeted encouragement, and address these obstacles directly.
In 2023, The Research Project commissioned by UK Sport, surveyed 55 British leaders serving on boards or committees in international sports organisations, followed by in-depth interviews with 12 leaders (6 female and 6 male).
The report revealed that 60% of respondents felt international sports governance is “not inclusive enough” or “not inclusive at all”, while only 9% described it as “very inclusive”.
This indicates a strong need for changes to make sports leadership more diverse and representative.
Women in Sports: Areas of progress
Despite the still-prevalent issues faced by women in sports, there has been progress toward a more equal sporting world that deserves celebration:
UK Sport used its research to shape future programs aimed at supporting more women aspiring to senior leadership roles in international sports governance. Most notably, the International Leadership Mentoring Programme, where 10 experienced leaders are helping 10 female mentees to define and pursue their leadership ambitions in international sport. This effort aligns with UK Sport's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy to achieve gender equality in UK positions within Olympic and Paralympic sports federations.
UK Sport supports the UK’s hosting of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport, the largest global network for advancing gender equality in sports.
Almost a third of UK families now follow a specific sport after being inspired by a female athlete.
In February 2024, British beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury made history by being the first female-founded brand to partner with the F1 Academy. It’s a ground-breaking partnership that aims to support female drivers and promote gender diversity in Formula 1.
Ethnic Minorities: The Challenges
Research from Fair Play Talks reiterates the importance of representation in sport. Six out of 10 ethnic minority Brits do not feel truly represented across the full spectrum of UK sport, and a third say racism prevents them from supporting or partaking in sports. 31% of people from ethnic minorities think that when they watch UK sports, they hardly see faces that look like theirs, dissuading them from wanting to attend or partake in sports.
This sentiment is compounded by reports of racial abuse directed at minority players, a well-documented issue affecting the sporting world.
Ethnic Minorities: Areas of Progress
Though deep-rooted racism still exists, it is encouraging to know that governing bodies and organisations are starting to take action toward inclusion and representation:
The governing body of the British Basketball League has been setting the standard for inclusivity, ranking first out of 55 Sport England/UK Sport-funded National Governing Bodies (NGBs)
Football for Peace Founder and former British South Asian Footballer Kashif Siddiqi, and World Cup winner and former Arsenal Captain Mesut Özil, launched a new centre to tackle inequality and boost South Asian and ethnic minority representation in British football.
LGBTQ+ Community: The Challenges
Research by Scotland’s Equality Network highlights the wider problem of homophobia across sport. The report on their findings ‘Out for Sport’ shows that 79% of more than 1,700 respondents thought that there was a problem of homophobia in sport, whilst 62% had witnessed or experienced homophobia or transphobia in sport. Out on the Fields reported that:
43% of football fans have witnessed homophobic behaviour while attending a game
51% of gay/bi males and 35% of lesbian/bi females aged 15-21 have been the target of homophobic behaviour in sport.
More than half (54%) of male athletes admit to using homophobic slurs in the past and most (69%) have heard teammates use slurs
LGBTQ+ Community: Areas of progress
Iconic brands in Team Pride, including Sky Sports, Adidas, and the Premier League, as well as grassroots clubs and fans, are celebrating changing attitudes – and coming together to renew their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.
Stonewall, the UK’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual equality charity, is launching its award-winning Rainbow Laces campaign for its 9th year and calling on fans to Keep Up the fight for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.
Disability and sport: The Challenges
Typical barriers for disabled people to participate in sport include (1) a lack of awareness from those without disabilities on how to include them in sport: (2) a lack of opportunities for training and competition, accessible facilities causing physical barriers (3) limited resources (4) and Negative social attitudes are all common barrier in sport, causing social isolation and impact on emotional and physical wellbeing.
Just one in five (20%) disabled people had taken part in an organised activity session in the last year, compared to 25 per cent of non-disabled people.
Only four in 10 (43%) disabled people feel they have the opportunity to be as active as they want to be, compared to 69% of non-disabled people.
Only four in 10 disabled people (44%) agree that sport and physical activity is fair for disabled people.
Disability and sport: Areas of progress
In the British Wheelchair Basketball leagues, there are currently 17,000 people playing wheelchair basketball in the UK at both regional and national levels, with 200+ teams across England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales with potential participation growth.
Inclusion London launched their project Into Sport, aimed to increase the number of Deaf and Disabled Londoners participating in sport and physical activity by building the capacity of Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) and removing barriers to participation. During the project, they supported 1170 Deaf and Disabled people to get active.
Access Sport’s award-winning programme launched in 2011 engaged with over 12,000 disabled people, plus thousands more non-disabled families and friends. To date, they have supported over 200 community organisations to become more inclusive to disabled people and upskilled 1000 coaches, volunteers, and young leaders within these organisations.
Exploring Diversity and Elitism in UK Sports
To illustrate the impact of lack of diversity and the barriers caused by elitism or privilege, let’s focus on two sports: football and tennis. These examples highlight how varying levels of inclusivity and access can affect participation and opportunities.
Tennis
Ethnic Minorities: The struggles and reality
Tennis in the UK has long been perceived as an elitist sport, predominantly associated with affluent, white communities. This perception is echoed by many within the sport, who have experienced first-hand the barriers to entry for ethnic minorities.
In a 2021 BBC interview, Miles Daley, a head coach from Hackney, candidly discussed his experiences as a Black man in tennis. He observed:
"Tennis is an elitist sport. The majority of people involved are white, and the majority are white men."
Reflecting on his own journey, Daley recalled being the only Black child—or indeed, the only child of colour—when he began playing tennis at school. The absence of others who looked like him made his early experiences in the sport isolating:
"I didn't see anyone like me playing the game. It wasn't the nicest thing."
Today, despite his success as a coach, Daley admits that he still doesn't feel entirely comfortable within the tennis community, citing the persistence of microaggressions.
This sentiment is shared by others, such as Uma Iyer, based in Edinburgh. Iyer noted that her daughter Aadya is "one of two brown kids" in her Under-12s national group, despite Edinburgh having a sizeable Indian population. This underrepresentation speaks volumes about the systemic barriers that prevent broader participation among ethnic minorities.
Lack of opportunities
The issue extends beyond individual experiences. A head coach from Surrey posed a pointed question:
"Where are the Marcus Rashford’s of British tennis? My fear is, they’re still not welcome."
This statement underscores the lack of visible role models for ethnic minorities within the sport, which further discourages participation. During a diversity and inclusion talk at the Surrey Tennis County forum, an audience member asked what could be done to improve inclusivity. The response she received was dismissive:
"The Black kids play football, and the Asian kids play cricket. I think we’re OK."
Such attitudes reflect deep-seated stereotypes and complacency that perpetuate the exclusivity of tennis.
The Role of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)
When questioned about the role of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in supporting underrepresented players, it was acknowledged that the LTA does provide funding for players who are exceptionally talented and ranked highly at the regional level. However, the journey to reach this level often requires thousands of hours of coaching—an investment that many families from less affluent backgrounds simply cannot afford. Consequently, many promising players never reach the point where they would be eligible for LTA support.
“The truth is the LTA very rarely funds players from less affluent backgrounds because they simply never reach that point in their development”
While the LTA has introduced initiatives to encourage children to try tennis, a significant gap remains. As the Surrey coach noted, ‘there is no clear pathway for talented children from non-affluent families to access the resources they need to excel in the sport.’
Proposed Solutions for a More Inclusive Future
To address these challenges, several steps need to be taken:
Inclusive Club Practices: Tennis clubs must become more inclusive environments where a broader demographic feel welcomed, not only to play but also to take on leadership roles. Greater representation within clubs can help to dismantle the elitist culture that currently prevails.
Accessible Coaching: Organisations should work to make coaching more accessible, particularly for children from underrepresented or less affluent backgrounds. This could involve offering subsidised coaching programs, launching outreach initiatives in diverse communities, and collaborating with schools to identify and nurture talent.
Expanded LTA Support: The LTA should broaden its funding criteria to support players who demonstrate potential but may not yet be ranked at the regional level. By investing in the early development of these players, the LTA can help bridge the gap between grassroots participation and elite performance.
Women in Tennis: A Growing Force
Tennis participation in Britain is thriving, with 2023 marking a significant year for the sport, particularly among women and girls. According to recent reports, a record 5.6 million adults played tennis in 2023, with women making up 42% of that number—more than ever before.
This positive trend is mirrored in the younger age group. Among children aged 4-15, girls represented 49% of the 3.6 million young players picking up a racket in 2023. This surge in participation can be largely attributed to initiatives like the LTA Youth Schools programme, which ensures an equal split between boys and girls participating in tennis at school. The programme has been instrumental in training teachers across the country to deliver tennis to a new generation of players.
2023 also saw the introduction of the innovative Prime Video LTA Youth Girls programme, designed specifically to support the growth of girls' tennis. This programme has trained 500 coaches to better understand the unique social and environmental pressures girls face, both within and outside of sport. Coaches are now equipped to design drills and activities that cater to the psychological needs of girls, as well as to introduce them to competition in a tailored and gradual way.
These efforts highlight a significant and positive shift in attitudes and better accessibility of tennis for women and girls in the UK.
Gender Disparities in Tennis Participation: Understanding the Barriers
While tennis participation is on the rise across the UK, a closer look reveals a gender disparity in how frequently the sport is played. Across all age groups, from children to adults, boys and men are more likely to play tennis regularly and participate in competitions compared to their female counterparts.
“Although women make up 42% of all annual tennis players, they account for only 30% of those who play on a weekly basis.”
Research indicates that several barriers contribute to this disparity in women's participation. Common challenges include not having anyone to play with or lacking access to suitable facilities. Additionally, health concerns, injury, fitness issues, and a lack of confidence in their ability to play well, often deter women from playing tennis more regularly.
Supporting Disabled Athletes: Investment in UK Disability Sports
In recent years, there has been a significant push to increase funding and support for disabled athletes in the UK, particularly in preparation for major international competitions.
UK Sport has allocated approximately £3.8 million towards disability table tennis for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
This substantial investment underscores the commitment to fostering excellence and inclusivity in disability sports.
Beyond table tennis, the (LTA) has made strides in providing opportunities for disabled athletes through its Open Court programme. This initiative extends beyond wheelchair tennis, offering tailored provisions for individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired, blind, or visually impaired, and those with learning disabilities. The Open Court programme plays a crucial role in ensuring that tennis is accessible to all, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges, further promoting inclusivity within the sport.
The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Tennis: The Story of ACE Players Tennis Croydon
For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, sports can offer more than just physical activity—it provides a vital social connection. This was the case for those involved in the ACE Players Tennis Croydon, the UK's longest-running LGBTQ+ tennis club, founded in 1977 in South London.
However, the journey of ACE Players Tennis Croydon hasn't been without its challenges. When the group moved to play at courts in Thornton Heath, South London, they often faced a hostile environment. Members reported that the atmosphere could be intimidating.
‘The group endured verbal abuse from the public, with instances of name-calling, stone-throwing, and even damage to vehicles. Some members felt uneasy simply entering or leaving the courts.’
Despite these difficulties, the club has persisted, providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to enjoy tennis and foster a sense of community.
Football
Ethnic Minority: Struggles, Progress and Road Ahead
English football is facing a significant challenge in its efforts to improve ethnic and gender diversity across all levels of the sport. Despite the introduction of the Football Leadership Diversity Code in 2020, a recent report from the Football Association (FA) has revealed that clubs are falling short of their annual targets for the 2022-23 season.
The Diversity Code, which was created to enhance equality of opportunity within football, has been signed by 53 clubs across the Premier League and English Football League (EFL). Its goal is to encourage the recruitment of diverse talent in senior leadership, team operations, and coaching roles.
"Hiring rates are currently not high enough to drive the rapid change needed," the FA stated, acknowledging the gap between the intended diversity targets and the actual outcomes.
In signing up for the Diversity Code, the clubs agreed that:
15% of new executive appointments and team operations appointments will be from a black, Asian or mixed heritage background, with 30% female.
25% of new coaching appointments will be black, Asian or of mixed heritage and 10% of senior coaching appointments.
50% of new coaching appointments at women's football clubs will be female, with 15% black, Asian or mixed heritage.
Shortlists for interview will have at least one male and one female candidate of black, Asian or mixed heritage, provided applicants meet the job specifications.
Between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023, the clubs collectively failed to meet any of these recruitment targets, though some individual clubs did.
When combined with the FA, Premier League and EFL only one target was fully met, with more than 30% of new team operations appointments female.
The Leadership Gap
While approximately 30% of professional football players in the UK are Black, only 3% of board members across the 130 Sport England and UK Sport-funded bodies identify as Black. This significant gap highlights the ongoing challenge of translating player diversity into leadership and decision-making roles within the sport.
Tony Burnett, Chief Executive of the anti-discrimination body ‘Kick It Out’, has called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, urging the Premier League and the EFL to implement sanctions for clubs that fail to meet diversity targets. Burnett emphasized the importance of commitment to these goals, stating:
"Without that commitment, we won't know the true scale of the challenge nor be able to find solutions to make football more representative of the people who love the game."
The path to a more inclusive and representative football industry is clearly a challenging one, requiring not just policies but a deeper cultural shift within the sport. While the FA’s efforts mark important steps in the right direction, the findings of the 2022-23 report underscore the need for continued vigilance, accountability, and action to ensure that English football truly reflects the diversity of its players and fans.
Woman in Football: Progress Amid Persistent Gender Disparities
Despite significant strides in women's football, gender disparities remain deeply entrenched within the sport, particularly in leadership roles. In the English Premier League, there are currently no female managers and only 9% of board members are women. This underrepresentation is even more stark at the national level, where just 2% of presidents and CEOs in football federations are women.
Participation figures further reflect these challenges.
While nearly 61% of men in the UK have played on a football team at some point in their lives, the equivalent figure for women is less than half of that, with just under a quarter having ever played.
Moreover, only about 1 in 7 women in the UK currently play on a football team, and a mere 1 in 20 women have taken up football for the first time as adults.
However, there are bright spots in the narrative of women’s football. In 2022, the England women's team, the Lionesses, made history by winning the European Championship in a final that shattered television viewing records. This victory not only highlighted the growing popularity and success of women's football but also underscored the potential for greater inclusion and representation in the sport.
The achievements of the Lionesses offer hope and inspiration, yet the figures reveal that there is still much work to be done to ensure that women have equal opportunities to participate, lead, and succeed in football at all levels.
The Struggle for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Football: A Culture of Silence and Abuse
The issue of LGBTQ+ inclusion in football remains a significant challenge, particularly in the male-dominated top tiers of the sport. Despite the progress in other areas of diversity, there are currently no openly gay players in England’s top four divisions, and only one player in Premier League history has publicly come out. This lack of representation reflects the deep-rooted stigma and fear surrounding homosexuality in men’s football.
The hostile environment is further evidenced by the alarming levels of homophobic abuse directed at players. According to recent reports:
Homophobia accounts for 40% of the abusive posts targeted at male footballers, and 27% of those aimed at female players.
In total, 85% of the abuse sent to male footballers was either racist or homophobic, highlighting the pervasive discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within the sport.
This culture of silence and abuse continues to hinder efforts to create a more inclusive environment in football, where players can feel safe and supported regardless of their sexual orientation.
Enhancing Participation in Disability Football: The FA's New Ambitions
Currently, only 4.5% of people with disabilities participate in football, highlighting a significant gap in inclusion within the sport. In response, the Football Association (FA) has launched an ambitious plan to boost the number of participants in disability football by 50% over the next few years.
The FA's new plan aims to promote disability football and enhance its visibility, ensuring that elite athletes with disabilities receive the same admiration and support as other football stars. This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in increasing participation and fostering greater inclusivity in the sport.
Leveraging the Calculator of Privilege to Enhance EDI in Sports
In both sports, the prevalent elitism and lack of diversity not only hinder the growth of these sports but also fail to reflect the broader demographics of their participant base. Addressing these disparities requires a multi-faceted approach involving policy changes, cultural shifts, and enhanced support systems. By actively working to dismantle barriers and promote inclusivity, the sports community can pave the way for a more equitable and representative future.
Considering the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) in sports, understanding, and addressing privilege is crucial.
Our Calculator of Privilege, a cutting-edge interactive tool is specifically designed to help organisations in all sectors, including sport, understand and measure various forms of privilege—such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and more.
Why Use the Calculator of Privilege?
Identify Hidden Barriers: The Calculator of Privilege helps organisations pinpoint areas where privilege might be affecting participation and development in sports. By revealing these hidden barriers, you can better understand the challenges faced by different groups and find targeted solutions to address them.
Drive Real Change: With insights gained from the Calculator of Privilege, you can take actionable steps to create a more inclusive and equitable sporting environment. This tool supports your efforts to ensure that all individuals have fair access to opportunities and resources in sports.
We invite you to explore how the Calculator of Privilege can be integrated into your sports programs. Contact us to learn more about this initiative and to book a demo. Discover how this innovative tool can help you build a more equitable and inclusive sporting community, making sports accessible and fair for everyone.
At Diversity+ we provide bespoke learning sessions and toolkits on many EDI subjects including, cultural and emotional intelligence, power and privilege, unconscious bias, micro-aggressions and many more topical issues to help workplaces tackle EDI barriers and foster a more inclusive working environment. All of our resources are specifically designed for your organisation's individual needs, to ensure more targeted outcomes and positive results for long term improvements.
Reach out for a consultation today.
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