Equal Opportunities Discrimination Stereotyping Inclusiveness The absence of discrimination, based on race, colour, age, gender, disability etc. Equal Opportunities Treating one group differently/ unfairly to another, due to their race, colour, age, gender, disability etc. Discrimination Generalising a person/group based upon a conventional and oversimplified image. Stereotyping Including all people in an activity, regardless of race, colour, age, gender, disability etc. Inclusiveness A negative judgment or opinion formed before experience or knowledge of the facts Prejudice

Apply it… Give practical examples in sport for each word: Equal opportunity Discrimination Stereotyping Inclusiveness prejudice

Disability in Sport

What problems do disabled people face when participating in sport? Some sports are unavailable to the disabled performer due to a lack of suitability/the nature of the game Facilities/equipment may not by adapted to suit the needs of a disabled performer ? There are many issues with actually travelling to events / using sports facilities Staff at sports centres may not be sufficiently trained to deal with the special requirements of disabled athletes There are a limited number of sporting events for disabled athletes

What benefits do disabled people gain from participating in sport? Aside from the obvious health and fitness benefits, sport can offer disabled people many benefits. It can allow disabled people to feel integrated into society. It can improve self-esteem and self-worth.

Which NGB’s have been formed especially to meet disabled performers’ needs? Disability Sport England (DSE) British Paralympic Association (BPA) The British Amputee Sports Association The UK Sports Association for People with Mental Handicap Cerebral Palsy Sport

What do these organisations aim to achieve? Improve awareness of disabled people in sport. Provide more opportunities for disabled people to become more active in sport. Educate the public about disabled people and their capabilities. Improve the image of disabled sport. Promote the advantages of sport to disabled people.

Ok, but should disabled people be included in sports, or offered segregated sports? Over recent years, governing bodies have debated the issue of whether disabled sport should be approached by: integrating it with able-bodied sport (inclusive) or whether disabled performers would have a better advantage if they were offered specialised programmes to meet their specific needs (segregated).

The concept of inclusive sports has good and bad features: It has the ability to educate able-bodied athletes about disabled athletes – and vice versa. It highlights the fact that society is a mixture of people – so there is no reason why sport shouldn’t be. It allows equality for every individual. Bad Lack of sufficiently qualified teachers/coaches in schools/sports centres. Insufficient specialised equipment/facilities Some teachers find inclusive P.E. demanding. May highlight differences between able-bodied and disabled individuals and thus cause more damage than good.

Which sports have been adapted to meet the needs of disabled individuals? Basketball, volleyball and track events all have wheelchair versions. Equally, other sports have versions whereby equipment and rules have been adapted to suit the needs of disabled athletes. For example ‘Zone Hockey’.

What else has been done? Increased availability of specialist coaching More information published about disabled sport Increased development of specialist sports programmes and training opportunities Improvement in facility access and design Increased awareness amongst local authorities about disabled sport Increased media coverage and publicity Raised profile of special Olympics and Paralympics Increased links with clubs and development officers

Socio-economic groups

Social Class in Modern Society There are still massive divides across the different economic classes. There is still the upper class wealth, often meaning better education, better access to facilities and more free time. Equally, the lower/working class still have insufficient time and/or money to participate in most leisure activities.

The upper classes and the opportunities they receive in sport The upper class have more free time and a higher disposable income than the working class. Equally, the upper class more often than not receive a better education than most, and thus have the opportunity to experience more sports than other classes.

Which sports are considered ‘upper class’? Sports with high expense tend to be only be accessible to the upper class. These include sports such as Polo, motor racing and real tennis which often demand high membership fees. Equally, activities such as equestrianism / rowing are traditionally confined to the upper classes as they require the purchase / hire of a horse / boat!

And the lower class? The lower class has received the least opportunities in sport. They have been restricted in their access to a range of sports due to their socio-economic status. This is often a result of tradition and a lack of disposable income. Activities usually considered to be lower class are rugby league, darts, coarse fishing and snooker.

Why do the lower class struggle to succeed in some sports? As with most things, some sports remain exclusive because they are expensive. Expenses range from membership, to equipment, to coaching, to travel. Due to the fact that people in lower socio-economic groups have less disposable income, they cannot afford to spend money on equipment, coaching or travel.

Ethnic Minorities

What is racism? Racism is the suggestion that one particular ethnic group is superior to another on the basis of skin colour or religion. A different form of racism is racial stereotyping. This is whereby individuals are categorised into what they are capable of doing according to religion or skin colour

Racial Discrimination - is it a Factor in modern Sport? National teams in Athletics and Soccer have a high proportion of black Afro-Caribbean participants. Other sports like Rugby Union and League and Cricket have fewer but significant numbers. But these same sports have far fewer persons of Asian backgrounds, particularly women. Hockey, Swimming, Equestrianism, Rowing have relatively few black participants. This pattern probably reflects the class discrimination - lack of opportunity because of the expense of the sport, or its traditional class base.

What has happened in sport as a result of racism and racial stereotyping? ‘Stacking’ Whereby ethnic groups are pushed into certain positions or sports due to opinions regarding physical strength /skills. For example, black men and sprinting There are very few ethnic minority coaches or managers ? Reduced participation – this is particularly the case with Female ethnic minority groups

Why have these issues arisen? Perhaps the most apparent reason is the lack of role models for ethnic minorities in specific sports. For example, is the abundance of black track athletes a result of the large number of role models in this sport? Equally, there is a severe lack of Asian athletes within Premiership football.

How do role models have an impact on participation? Individuals tend to copy the behaviour of people in the media spotlight. Equally, youngster aspire to be like their idols. Hence, young Asian boys may wish to emulate Amir Khan (boxing) and young black girls may wish to grow up like Kelly Holmes (athletics) or one of the Williams sisters (tennis).

To what extent has stereotyping affected participation levels in sport? There is a myth that black people are superior athletes over white people. This myth is further reinforced by the fact that whilst the black population in Britain is around 6%, over half of the British athletics team is black. These figures are reproduced within both football and cricket teams. Equally, many athletic track records are held by athletes of West or East African descent. In the States, this trend continues into American football and basketball.

Why are black athletes so massively represented in athletics? Some individuals argue that black individuals have a different genetic make-up to white athletes, making them faster and stronger. i.e. they have more fast twitch fibres, meaning they can run faster. However, scientific research has found no conclusive evidence to support this. Equally, other speed events such as swimming are largely populated by white individuals. Thus, it is more likely to be the presence of role models which motivates black youngsters to become track athletes.

Anti-racist policies in sport Kick Racism out of Football Recent events in football games have ensured this schemes success. The edition of the black & white wrist bands has also highlighted this particular issue Anti-racist policies in sport PESSCL Strategy Living for Sport Initiative Nike Girls Into Sport Project Whilst these initiatives are not directly aimed at ethnic minorities, they are aimed at improving sport access for disaffected groups Sporting Equals ‘Working Together for Racial Equality in Sport’ This is an organisation which aims to help integrate ethnic minorities into sport

Is there anything else aimed at improving ethnic minority participation in sports? Media coverage of ethnic minority sports is improving (i.e. Channel 4’s coverage of Kabaddi). Equally, companies are using athletes of ethnic origin to promote products and sports. More ethnic minority individuals are also being appointed into managerial/sport development jobs.

Women in Sport

What aspects of society prevent women from participating in sport? Poor Sponsorship Seen as “The Weaker Sex” Poor Media Coverage Role of Housewife Participation Of Peers Considered “Unfeminine” By society

What is the basis of these reasons? Historically, sport was a male pastime. If we think back even further in time, we can learn that sport has evolved from violent activities undertaken by males such as sword fighting, jousting or prizefighting. This ethos has continued throughout time although attitudes are changing with female access to soccer, rugby and even boxing. Limited media coverage of women’s sport is a major reason for the perpetuation of female sport stereotyping.

Historical reasons which prevent females from participating in sports? Girls were always discouraged from being aggressive and/or competitive, whereas these characteristics were encouraged in boys. Equally, it was thought that sport was physiologically harmful to women, and thus, it was strongly discouraged. Some people even used to believe that sport would affect a woman’s fertility!

Are stereotypical opinions still believed in today’s society? Dance & gymnastics are still considered to be some of the most acceptable activities for women. Although Rugby, Soccer and Cricket are still viewed as very masculine sports (particularly in the media) - women are now participating and achieving high standards in these sports.

How are these views demonstrated within modern sport? Women’s competition is given a lower status than men’s. For example, Football Women’s prize monies/rewards are less then men’s. For example, Wimbledon prize money equal for the first time in 2007

And….? VS More men are in leadership roles within sport. More male role models than female Women barred from certain activities (until recently) VS More male-orientated sports than female More male coaches than female Some NGB’s slow to accept female sport as they attract less attention than male sport

SO, let’s recap over some of the barriers to females in sport… Lack of self confidence In ability in sport. Lack of motivation Perhaps due to the low status of women’s sport in comparison to men’s. Unfeminine Worried sport makes women look ‘manly’. Poor self-image Some women worry they are too unfit and unhealthy to participate. Type of sports offered Many of the more accepted women’s sports are individual – yet some women prefer a group/team ethos.

Who can help to raise the status of women’s sport? NGB's Sponsorship The Media ? Sports Centres Women's Sports Foundation Schools

How do schools influence female participation? Poor choice of activities available P.E. and school sport is not ‘cool’ part of young girls’ culture ? Girls’ achievements are not valued as much as boys’ P.E. kit is unappealing and too revealing Girls’ P.E. and school sport has a lower status than boys’ within the school and local community

Have schools recognised these issues? Kit restrictions are now more relaxed. There are more opportunities for girls to take part in a wider variety of sports. Girls’ sport is becoming just as important as boys’ sport within schools and the community.