Racism is a serious and pervasive problem that affects many aspects of society, including sport. Racism can manifest in various forms, such as discrimination, harassment, exclusion, stereotyping, and violence. Racism can negatively impact the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of athletes, coaches, officials, staff, and fans. Racism can also limit the opportunities and potential of individuals and groups who are racialized or marginalized in sport.
Anti-racist education is a vital component of creating a more inclusive and equitable sport environment. Anti-racist education is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices, and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably. Anti-racist education helps learners to understand the harmful consequences of racism and encourages them to actively challenge it wherever it occurs. It helps to ensure that the learning environment is an inclusive one, without racial inequality or racism.
There are many resources and strategies for implementing anti-racist education in community sport settings. Some of them are:
- Developing an anti-racism policy that explicitly states the commitment and expectations of the organization to prevent and address racism in sport. The policy should include clear definitions of racism and its forms, procedures for reporting and responding to incidents of racism, sanctions for perpetrators of racism, and support for victims of racism.
- Providing training and education for coaches, officials, staff, volunteers, and athletes on anti-racism and cultural diversity. The training should cover topics such as the history and impact of racism in sport, the experiences, and perspectives of racialized and marginalized groups in sport, the concepts and principles of anti-racism and inclusion, the skills and strategies for challenging racism and promoting equity in sport, and the resources and support available for anti-racism initiatives.
- Creating a safe and respectful space for dialogue and reflection on issues of racism and inclusion in sport. The dialogue should be facilitated by someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in anti-racism education and should involve participants from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The dialogue should aim to raise awareness, foster understanding, build trust, share experiences, identify challenges, explore solutions, and inspire action.
- Engaging with community partners and stakeholders who are working towards anti-racism and inclusion in sport. These partners could include local schools, community organizations, media outlets, sponsors, government agencies, or other sport organizations. The engagement could involve collaborating on projects or events, sharing information or resources, supporting each other’s efforts, or advocating for change.
To set the foundation to building a safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environment we encourage you to utilize the 16 free policy templates found in the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit.
Athletes have a unique role and responsibility in promoting racial equity and challenging racism in sport. Athletes have a powerful voice and influence that can reach millions of people across different backgrounds and generations. Athletes have a personal experience and perspective that can shed light on the realities and challenges of racism and discrimination in sport. Athletes have a collective strength and solidarity that can inspire action and create change in sport. There are many resources and guidance for athletes and other stakeholders on how to address racism and be effective allies in sport. Some of them are:
- The Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC), which provides a collection of key terms, educational resources, and organizations related to anti-racism in sport. The collection covers topics such as allyship, unconscious bias, institutional racism, individual racism, etc.
- The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF), which is a federal crown corporation dedicated to eliminating racism and promoting harmonious race relations in Canada. The CRRF provides various programs and resources that aim to educate, inform, and engage Canadians on issues of racism and discrimination. The CRRF also hosts webinars, workshops, conferences, and awards that celebrate diversity and inclusion in Canada.
- The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a campaign that aims to create a safe, smart, and secure sport environment for all participants and coaches. The campaign invites all sport organizations, parents, and coaches to learn and apply consistent safety principles. The RCM also offers a toolkit to help sport organizations promote the movement and raise awareness with other organizations within their network.
- The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) website offers various resources related to anti-racism and sport. These resources are a part of the Safe Sport Resource Hub, which aims to provide information and guidance on how to create a safe and respectful sport environment for all. On their website you can find a Team Canada Anti-Racism Statement, educational resources, athlete resources, and coach resources.
Sport can be a powerful tool for social change, but they can also be a site of racial inequality and injustice. By advancing anti-racist education and empowering athletes to address racism in sport, we can create a more inclusive and equitable sport environment for everyone.