What will we be doing?
Continuing to embed ED&I across all our work.Internally we will be developing a training and support programme for staff, an apprenticeship scheme and developing a role focused on ED&I. Externally we will be supporting partners across multiple areas of work and developing a new approach to community investments focused on reducing inequalities.
Why is this area of work so important?
Ensuring that sport can be for everyone is a core part of our focus at Sport Wales. There are currently barriers preventing people across Wales enjoying sport and this isn’t acceptable. The barriers will remain unless we make changes to the way we work and although we are making progress it is vital that everyone commits to helping. By working with a more diverse network of people and listening to the experiences of those who don’t feel we understand their lives, we can develop solutions together that are more likely to encourage and support more people across Wales to be active.
What do we know about this area of work?
Previous school sport surveys have highlighted the inequality we see in participation. Whilst overall the percentage of pupils who participate in at least three occasions of sport per week is 47% it is only 42.2% for those from deprived backgrounds. If you are male (49.7%) you are more likely to participate than if you are female (45.7%). If you have a disability or impairment (46.6%) you are less likely to be participating in sport than if you have none (48.4%). We also know there are significant differences across ethnic groups. Our work with other Home Council’s in exploring the lived experiences of individuals who have experiences of racism in sport amplify the data that underpins opportunities in participation, coaching and volunteering.
What are we already doing?
- Prioritising ED&I in our investment approach: Including investing more into those partners who can make the biggest difference, prioritising capital projects that address inequality and prioritising ED&I issues within community grants.
- Supporting the sector: Including running an inclusive leadership programme, supporting partners as they consider the recent Transgender guidance and creating opportunities for partners to share learning and work together in this area.
- Diversifying our networks: Including developing opportunities to reach new people, places, and organisations. We are prioritising how we recruit into the organisation and how our campaigns and events programme can help us connect with more diverse audiences. We have also established new partnerships including the Black Swimming Association and are investing in a project piloting a volunteer programme focused on tackling inequality.
- Insight: Including how we segment our data to make it easier to understand the current picture across Wales, using user research and lived experiences as foundations for projects to ensure we consider needs of potential as well as current users.
- Making services more accessible: Including revamping the Sport Wales website and other products to provide more people with access to our services.
Examples of new work we are going to be doing over the next 3-6 months:
- Developing a new approach to community investment that will be designed and tested with community organisations and will aim to prioritise funding for those working to reduce inequalities.
- Developing a staff training and support programme, recruiting to a new role that will focus and coordinate our work in this area, as well as develop a diversity focused apprenticeship scheme.
- Developing and implementing a new equality standard for sport within Wales.
- Working with those partners that have prioritised ED&I and can make a significant impact.
- Using the School Sport Survey to better understand barriers for young people.
How can I find out more?
There will be regular updates of this work in staff communications and opportunities to hear more about specific projects via drop-in sessions. Take the opportunity to think about what more you could do to support this area and speak to your team about how to make your ideas happen.