RACEquality Network update at UK Athletics

Following the launch of the RACEquality Network in February 2021 after the Let’s Talk about Race (LTAR) programme in the summer of 2020, the Network has continued to grow over the last 10 months.

The Network is looking to expand further to support both UKA and the Home Countries Athletics Federations tackle racial inequality within the sport. 

Chaired by UKA’s, Lorna Dwyer, the Network have met three times since the launch, with another meeting due later in December and it is continuing to go from strength to strength. The Network has been key in working with UKA on the organisation’s Diversity Action Plan.

During October, the Network collated a series of content for Black History Month which was shared with an internal and external audience including ‘60 seconds with…’ profiles with key people in the sport, books of the week, quizzes and providing links to educational material.

Also, following the successful ‘Noir Voices’ series in 2020, those conversations were shared again on the British Athletics social media channels, including ‘My Hair is my Crown’ featuring Asha Philip, Kadeena Cox, Kristal Awuah, Cassie-Ann Pemberton and Donna Fraser.

Additionally, Melanie Anning, Marcus Opoku and Sabrina Pace-Humphreys have collaborated with England Athletics to create content for clubs. They recently contributed to a webinar discussion focusing on ‘Improving club inclusion’ in collaboration with Herne Hill Harriers.

One of the most important outcomes from the Network in its opening few months is that the forum allows for open and honest discussions. Members have specialised in certain areas, be it communications, coaching, officials etc, to make a positive difference to the sport.