Latest
issue
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Black Lives Matter: sports sector 'hasn't done enough' on inequalities
POSTED 15 Jun 2020 . BY Tom Walker
Research from 2018 shows that 40 per cent of black and minority ethnic participants have endured a negative experience in sport or physical activity settings – more than double that of white participants Credit: Shutterstock.com/Rawpixel.com
The sport and physical activity sector "hasn't done enough" to tackle persisting inequalities within the industry, according to a statement signed by more than 80 leading UK sports organisations.

The unprecedented statement was published by the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA) and was signed by the likes of the RFU, UK Athletics, British Cycling and England Netball.

Addressing the global protests and the "powerful message" of the Black Lives Matter movement, the statement said the events of recent weeks had made "every section of society take notice and confront an ugly truth".

"Sport has an influential role to bring about meaningful change and this period has rightly led the sector to reflect, listen, question, learn and openly discuss how to take positive action," the statement reads.

"It is acknowledged that up to this point, we have not done enough."

"It is time to confront racism and inequality that exists across sport, from grassroots participation through to the boardroom."

Research from 2018 by SRA shows that four in ten (40 per cent) of black and minority ethnic (BAME) participants have endured a negative experience in sport or physical activity settings – more than double that of white participants.

The latest activity figures from Sport England show that just over 50 per cent of black people in England meet the recommended levels of physical activity each week.

The Diversity in Sport Governance report (from 2018-19) identified that only 5 per cent of board members, across Sport England and UK Sport-funded organisations, were from a BAME background.

"Systemic change must be made at all levels so that we can become truly reflective of our wonderfully diverse society," the statement reads.

"We can no longer rely on black role models at the elite level speaking out, we must join together to become better and to support every member of the sport and recreation community.

"We must become more inclusive. We must create opportunities which are truly accessible. We must do more."

A spokesperson for SRA added: "We are continuously receiving further support on this statement.

"Many organisations in the sector have released, or plan to release, individual statements too."

The full list of signatories is below:

Activity Alliance
Angling Trust
Archery GB
Associated Board of Dance
Association for Physical Education
Association of British Riding Schools
Association of Colleges
Badminton England
Basketball England
Boccia England
Bowls England
British American Football
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
British Blind Sport
British Canoeing
British Cycling
British Dodgeball
British Dressage
British Fencing
British Gymnastics
British Kite Flying Association
British Martial Arts and Boxing Association
British Mountaineering Council
British Nordic Walking
British Orienteering
British Para Table Tennis
British Rowing
British Shooting
British Showjumping
British Student Taekwondo Federation
British Triathlon
British Universities & Colleges Sport
British Water Ski & Wakeboard
British Weight Lifting
British Wrestling
EMD UK
England and Wales Cricket Board
England Boxing
England Golf
England Hockey
England Korfball
England Lacrosse
England Netball
England Squash
English Ice Hockey Association
English Indoor Bowling Association
English Karate Federation
Federation of English Karate Associations
Goalball UK
Golf Club Managers Association
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby
Karate Union of Great Britain
Lawn Tennis Association
League Managers Association
Leap
Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport
LimbPower
North Yorkshire Sport
Northern Counties Dance Teachers Association
Para Dance UK
Pentathlon GB
Rounders England
Rugby Football League
Rugby Football Union
Skateboard England & Skateboard GB
Snowsport England
Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Sport and Recreation Alliance
Swim England
Table Tennis England
The British Sub-Aqua Club
The Eton Fives Association
The Golf Foundation
The Keep Fit Association
The Laban Guild for Movement and Dance
The National Association of Karate and Martial Arts Schools
The Professional Golfers' Association
Trail Riders Fellowship
Triathlon England
UK Athletics
UK Ultimate
UKA Dance
Yorkshire Sport Foundation
Youth Sport Trust

RELATED STORIES
  Black Lives Matter: Charter launches urging for racial reform in wellness industry


Over 150 black and minority wellness professionals have united to sign a charter demanding reform for racial equality in the UK wellness industry.
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Black Lives Matter: sports sector 'hasn't done enough' on inequalities
POSTED 15 Jun 2020 . BY Tom Walker
Research from 2018 shows that 40 per cent of black and minority ethnic participants have endured a negative experience in sport or physical activity settings – more than double that of white participants Credit: Shutterstock.com/Rawpixel.com
The sport and physical activity sector "hasn't done enough" to tackle persisting inequalities within the industry, according to a statement signed by more than 80 leading UK sports organisations.

The unprecedented statement was published by the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA) and was signed by the likes of the RFU, UK Athletics, British Cycling and England Netball.

Addressing the global protests and the "powerful message" of the Black Lives Matter movement, the statement said the events of recent weeks had made "every section of society take notice and confront an ugly truth".

"Sport has an influential role to bring about meaningful change and this period has rightly led the sector to reflect, listen, question, learn and openly discuss how to take positive action," the statement reads.

"It is acknowledged that up to this point, we have not done enough."

"It is time to confront racism and inequality that exists across sport, from grassroots participation through to the boardroom."

Research from 2018 by SRA shows that four in ten (40 per cent) of black and minority ethnic (BAME) participants have endured a negative experience in sport or physical activity settings – more than double that of white participants.

The latest activity figures from Sport England show that just over 50 per cent of black people in England meet the recommended levels of physical activity each week.

The Diversity in Sport Governance report (from 2018-19) identified that only 5 per cent of board members, across Sport England and UK Sport-funded organisations, were from a BAME background.

"Systemic change must be made at all levels so that we can become truly reflective of our wonderfully diverse society," the statement reads.

"We can no longer rely on black role models at the elite level speaking out, we must join together to become better and to support every member of the sport and recreation community.

"We must become more inclusive. We must create opportunities which are truly accessible. We must do more."

A spokesperson for SRA added: "We are continuously receiving further support on this statement.

"Many organisations in the sector have released, or plan to release, individual statements too."

The full list of signatories is below:

Activity Alliance
Angling Trust
Archery GB
Associated Board of Dance
Association for Physical Education
Association of British Riding Schools
Association of Colleges
Badminton England
Basketball England
Boccia England
Bowls England
British American Football
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
British Blind Sport
British Canoeing
British Cycling
British Dodgeball
British Dressage
British Fencing
British Gymnastics
British Kite Flying Association
British Martial Arts and Boxing Association
British Mountaineering Council
British Nordic Walking
British Orienteering
British Para Table Tennis
British Rowing
British Shooting
British Showjumping
British Student Taekwondo Federation
British Triathlon
British Universities & Colleges Sport
British Water Ski & Wakeboard
British Weight Lifting
British Wrestling
EMD UK
England and Wales Cricket Board
England Boxing
England Golf
England Hockey
England Korfball
England Lacrosse
England Netball
England Squash
English Ice Hockey Association
English Indoor Bowling Association
English Karate Federation
Federation of English Karate Associations
Goalball UK
Golf Club Managers Association
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby
Karate Union of Great Britain
Lawn Tennis Association
League Managers Association
Leap
Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport
LimbPower
North Yorkshire Sport
Northern Counties Dance Teachers Association
Para Dance UK
Pentathlon GB
Rounders England
Rugby Football League
Rugby Football Union
Skateboard England & Skateboard GB
Snowsport England
Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Sport and Recreation Alliance
Swim England
Table Tennis England
The British Sub-Aqua Club
The Eton Fives Association
The Golf Foundation
The Keep Fit Association
The Laban Guild for Movement and Dance
The National Association of Karate and Martial Arts Schools
The Professional Golfers' Association
Trail Riders Fellowship
Triathlon England
UK Athletics
UK Ultimate
UKA Dance
Yorkshire Sport Foundation
Youth Sport Trust

RELATED STORIES
Black Lives Matter: Charter launches urging for racial reform in wellness industry


Over 150 black and minority wellness professionals have united to sign a charter demanding reform for racial equality in the UK wellness industry.
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS