Research library

Source: NCSEM 18.10.21

https://www.ncsem-em.org.uk/2021/10/18/researchers-publish-recommendations-to-enhance-diversity-of-uks-sports-coaches/

Researchers from Loughborough University have outlined a series of recommendations to enhance the diversity of sport coaches across the UK. The Coaching for All (CFA) initiative was delivered between March 2020 and June 2021 by Sporting Communities with Loughborough appointed as its lead research partner.

A total of 29 participants from disadvantaged communities who identified as Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic or as a Refugee were recruited to the Sport England funded project.
The University’s research primarily identified a series of structural and cultural barriers experienced by coaches. These included: 

·        Socio-economic and cultural constraints including work, study, financial and familial pressures and the tendency for sports coaching to not be viewed as a viable voluntary activity or career pathway for some ethnically diverse communities.

·        Limited knowledge and awareness of local coaching opportunities, local coach development courses, and local coach development networks.

·        Limited availability of, and financial accessibility, to local coaching opportunities, local coach development courses and local coach development networks, and the lack of related resource and mentoring support in some sports.

Negative experiences and exclusion when undertaking coaching and coach development, with respect to instances of racialised (and gendered) bias, stereotyping and a lack of ethnically diverse role models.