The Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent County Sports Partnership has publicly declared its commitment to addressing racial discrimination by signing the Racial Equality Charter for Sport.
Through signing the Charter, the Partnership pledges to challenge and remove racial discrimination in sport and encourages people from all communities to become involved in sport. This involvement is wide ranging and includes participating, coaching, volunteering and administrating.
Sandra Roden, Senior Regional Manager of Sport England who is delighted with the Partnerships Commitment said
"I would like to congratulate Sport Across Staffordshire on signing the Charter and would like to see other Partnerships in the West Midlands follow their lead. Sport England are pleased with the work that the Partnership is doing to address racism and promote racial equality."
The Partnership is aware through its ongoing research and consultation of some of the barriers to sporting participation faced by ethnic minority communities wanting to become involved in sport. These include inappropriate timing of activities, lack of local venues, lack of awareness of sports clubs and opportunities and not enough consultation regarding choice and need.
Consequently, the Partnership has endeavoured to address these issues when planning and delivering the Active Sports Programme, but recognise there is still a long way to go. Venues and timing of sessions are seen as critical, more consultation is taking place within schools, community groups and with the Racial Equality Councils. Plans are in place to increase the number of ethnic minority communities involved in coaching and volunteering.
This is only the beginning, the Partnership is also working towards achieving the Preliminary Level of the Sporting Equals Achieving Racial Equality; A Standard for Sport.
Visit the Commission for Racial Equality website www.cre.gov.uk for further information about Sporting Equals.
