Why we’re leading the way on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Wednesday 20th March 2024

scottishathletics is one of five governing bodies in Scotland selected to help advance Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in our sport.

A new ‘Moving to Inclusion’ framework has been launched to help sports move forward.

And we are pleased to be firmly in the vanguard of this important work after being picked by sportscotland alongside Scottish Gymnastics, Scottish Student Sport, the Scottish Rugby Union and Tennis Scotland.

scottishathletics first started placing a greater emphasis on equality back in 2016 and three years later landed the Advance Level Equality Standard for Sport

‘We are delighted to embrace the Moving to Inclusion Framework, alongside Scottish Gymnastics, Scottish Student Sport, the Scottish Rugby Union and Tennis Scotland,’ said Colin Hutchison, our chief executive.

‘scottishathletics achieved the Advanced Level of the Equality Standard for Sport in 2019 and since then we have continued to work internally and with the athletics community in Scotland to improve diversity in our sport.

‘The Framework is an ideal resource to enable us to assess our progress, identify areas for further improvement and ensure that there is a continual commitment to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion across athletics in Scotland.’

sportscotland: Moving to Inclusion

Photo by Jamie Simpson

Colin and our EDI Officer, Francesca Snitjer, have already held their first meeting with some key objectives established for the five sports:

Set up a working group
Review the Equality Policy
Complete the self-reflective Diagnostic tool against the scottishathletics Building A Culture of Success strategy
Create Continuous Improvement Plan

As mentioned above, our EDI journey effectively started prior to 2016 with the receipt of the Intermediate Equality Standard for Sport (via the previous government framework for this). That was followed three years later with Advanced level award.

All distances at our cross country events are now equalised in all age groups and have been for a number of years (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Below are a series of areas where we feel in recent years we have started to embed our approach to EDI into our plans and projects – for the benefit of all members and to help create the culture we seek.

*Partnership with SAMH

*Changing Lives #OnTheRightTrack

*Introduction of Non-binary category

*Equal distances for men and women at XC

*Para integration at Championships

*Jogscotland – Menopause Campaign, I’m Here Campaign, Community Strides

*Young People’s Forum

*Integration of ED&I throughout the Strategy

*Work within individual Clubs in their communities/ disability sections

*Independent EDI Advisory Group

*Community Inclusion

*Equality Guidance for Clubs