Understanding and Improving Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport

InMotion network hosted an online lecture on understanding equity, diversity and inclusion in sport by exploring the past.

As part of this lecture they explained how the majority of EDI policies and practices focus on 'welcoming' those who have historically been excluded instead of attempting to address the structural causes of exclusion that stem from the interrelated factors related to settler colonialism, racism, sexism, ableism and capitalism.

InMotion suggests three strategies as starting points for creating more equitable, diverse and inclusive sporting systems.

1. Do the work of learning and unlearning
   1. Slow down and engage
   2. If we want to transform our sporting systems, we must transform ourselves
2. Address the myth that sport is apolitical
   1. Two biggest barriers are money and time.
   2. Need to address the systemic issues to remove barriers (e.g., living wage legislation, tax reform, child care legislation).
   3. Consider the structural conditions of sport (how, where, when and why we engage in sport).
3. Stop discussing EDI and do something about it
   1. Abandon traditional models of sport for social inclusive and replace them with transformation models of sport for social justice. Adopt models that value the lived experiences and agency of historically excluded groups by giving them control of their own sporting opportunities.

Beyond these strategies, the Education Gazette highlights that inclusive sport designs lowers barriers to physical activity. Some ways to create an inclusive sport environment are:

• Change how you teach
• Change or adapt the equipment used
• Modify the field of play
• Potentially change the rules of the game
• Knowledge can be used to create policies and guidelines that promote inclusion

As well, they suggest top 5 tips for teachers/coaches creating inclusive sporting environments:

1. Ask participants how they want to play and what support they need (then implement this)
2. Adapt and modify your sport activities to meet the needs and preferences of students (get creative)
3. Offer choice in how students can participate (choice is the friend of inclusion)
4. Always work towards meaningful participation (no is not an option)
5. Find a mentor, another coach or teacher doing it well (then model their practice)