Race Representation Index
Sporting Equals launched the Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel to hold to account publicly funded sporting organisations over their Black Lives Matter-inspired pledges. Based on a scheme created in the United States, the Race Representation Index is expected to play an integral role in holding organisations to account on commitments made around diversity by various sports after George Floyd’s death on May 25 2020.
The Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel
The Race Representation Index is being driven by the Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel (SMAP), comprised of influential current and former Black sports professionals. The Race Representation Index scores the progress made by sports bodies on policy and strategy, and workforce, coaching, and elite talent profile. It will also focus on ethnically diverse representation within men’s and women’s sides at national team level. Sports bodies are asked to complete the Race Representation Index electronically, and the findings are published a few months later after analysis and commentary has been prepared.
The Panel wanted to give organisations including National Governing Bodies a year after they offered commitments and made statements about tackling racial inequality within sport. After these findings both the Sport Monitoring Advisory Panel and Sporting Equals feel the importance of the Race Representation Index is clear.
It is essential to continue this data monitoring exercise to deliver meaningful data-driven Equity, Diversity and Inclusion based interventions within the sport and physical activity sector.