Managing Sport and Leisure’s Post

Who would have thought that collectively holding our breaths, and clenching our knuckles could bring us closer together? Watching England vs Spain a few weeks ago in the final of the Euros with my daughter and seeing her disappointment when the final whistle blew took me back to my first football match. As you might imagine it was at Old Trafford. I was 10 years old, and saw the mighty Reds Devils draw 0-0 against Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA Cup. Despite a lacklustre result, the feeling was incomparable. But it wasn’t just the excitement of the game or the atmosphere. Being in those stands and cheering on the team alongside thousands creates a real sense of unity. In these moments, regardless of who you are, there is a sense that we were all in it together. Fast forward to 2024, and I am long-standing Manchester United season ticket holder with my friend Ryan Pereira. Sport has a unique gift that allows us to find that all important common ground regardless of our background. And this ability should never be underestimated. Yet with all its power to bring about connection, we sadly know that the beautiful game has on several occasions fallen short of creating an entirely inclusive and unifying atmosphere for all. This is just one of the reasons why it’s an honour to be involved with the Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS), which is committed to guiding clubs towards enhanced inclusivity and community outreach. Attending multiple panels with my PLEDIS colleagues has offered valuable insights into the community involvement and efforts of football clubs. Many are actively promoting inclusivity within stadiums, actively combating issues like racism and homophobic chants, whilst also battling online hate. The panels are starting up again during preseason, and I’m looking forward to seeing the progress that continues to be made. You know the line all too well - we still have a long way to go. Yet, I truly believe that we are taking important steps towards ensuring that everyone who walks into a stadium can experience the connection that team sports can bring. The Premier League #football #inclusion #community

All the more reason Inclusion matters. Learn more with my Documentary Feature, The Power of Sports for Amputees coming out late Spring! #amputee #limbdifference #disabilityinclusion #limbloss #krownfamilyfilms

Each January, as part of a content planning exercise I do, I share a preview of the year ahead from the perspective of recreational cricket. Have a read below if you're curious. I haven't been gazing into the tea leaves, more reflecting on commitments from governing bodies and putting the pieces together. There are thoughts on equity, diversity & inclusion, environment, girls' cricket and growing the game in schools. https://lnkd.in/ekGXTwtJ

European Commission Ecorys Study on Athletes’ Rights in and around big sport events #workshop Happy to support efforts for future safe sport policy in European Union Topics discussed: ➡️My TAS/CAS Tribunal Arbitral du Sport / Court of Arbitration for Sport / Tribunal Arbitral del Deporte winning case against Polish Fencing Federation and Polish Olympic Committee ➡️Discrimination against pregnant athletes. Federations deny access to tools that athletes had prior pregnancy. ➡️Sexual harassment and violence ➡️Mental Health ➡️World Athletics changes to racewalking without proper athlete consultation My recommendation for Good governance: Athletes need a power and freedom to #gobedo #go where need to go to in order to reach potential #be in an environment that is safe, fair and competitive #do what athletes have worked hard to achieve without fear. ✅ objective selection criteria ✅accountability ✅labor law rights ✅safe sport policy ✅ No Mercenary rule! Olympic charter- Olympic Game is a competition between athletes not between countries so let Athletes be FREE

https://lnkd.in/dT9K9s7V We are seeing a much greater focus now on the lack of progress on diversity and inclusion at a Board level, particularly in sports, and discussions around interventions to create change.

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Some facts to ponder in regards to transgenders playing women sports.

We are #UMNMorrisProud to observe National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Feb. 7. Title IX was a public law passed in 1972 that completely changed the women’s narrative in sports. The legislation called for equal participation of everyone in all the programs and activities that were federally funded, which meant all public schools would ensure equitable sports opportunities to the students, regardless of their gender. Title IX was a breakthrough in women’s sports. Before this, only one in 27 girls had access to sports activities. But, today, that statistic has improved to two in five girls. #NGWSD #RollCougs https://lnkd.in/g8CrHDqh

Negative attitudes towards girls playing football start scarily young. Between 2022-23 there was a 400% increase in reports of sexist abuse according to anti-discrimination campaigners Kick It Out. That’s why we’ve been working with Rexona in association with FIFA Women’s World Cup™️ to launch a ground-breaking initiative that tackles barriers girls face when playing football and other sports from age nine and up. We’ve created free educational materials for teachers in all UK schools, giving them the tools to help girls play football, plus age-appropriate strategies to get boys thinking about how they can support them as allies. We hope the work will make a real difference in the future of women’s sport. Brands backing positivity and behaviour change is a win-win for everyone. #Sure #BreakingLimitsProgramme #Rexona #FIFA Emily Heath Grace Zhiamin Lee Camille Singer

On #SafeSportDay24 and #Olympics2024 it is high time to #EndCorporalPunishment of children in sport '52% of men and 36% of women reported at least one experience of physical violence inside sport before age 18.[2] The 2021 Census of Athlete Rights Experiences (CARE Report)...found that 37% of elite athletes had at least one experience of physical abuse as a child in sport.[3] Read our latest blog - highlighting the ongoing prevalence of physical punishment of children in sport and calling for the International Olympic Committee – IOC to play a leading role by insisting on the safety of children engaged in sport at all levels, critically by making a commitment to end corporal punishment of children in sport.  'Every child has a right to access powerful and positive experiences in sport safely and without risking the harms of corporal punishment. Read our blog: https://lnkd.in/eksaBbBb #Paris2024 #SafeSportDay24 #Olympics2024Paris Safe Sport International Centre for Sport and Human Rights Dorothy Rozga