Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub recently welcomed coaches and sports facilitators to Equality Through Sport workshops, delivered by The Fair Play Foundation.
The workshop, ‘Colours of our scarves’ is a long-standing anti-discrimination and education programme funded by Scottish Government. It is committed to promoting equality, inclusion, and respect within Scottish sport and wider society.
The free two-hour workshops were advertised to coaches, welfare officers, volunteers and participants from sports clubs across Moray.
Throughout the session, attendees were supported to develop a clearer awareness of what hate behaviours can look like within sport and in wider society. By exploring the potential consequences of hateful behaviour, participants were able to recognise the importance of creating safer, more inclusive sporting spaces.
The first session was attended by Moray community sports clubs and saw representation across Elgin City FC, Elgin Sports Community Trust, Moray Mavericks (Basketball), Limitless Moray Netball Club, Boccia, Scottish Fencing, and Moray Community Sports Hub.
The second and third workshops were attended by over 25 UHI Moray students. The first session was for Level 4 and 5 sports coaching students, and the second session was for HNC/D sports coaching and development students.
Jack Whyte, Moray UHI Active Campus Co-ordinator, said:
“The session challenged our students positively, making them look inwards, and think critically about their beliefs and use of language. The style of delivery created a safe environment for our students, where they were able to speak openly and without judgement.”
He added: “The session also made students realise that their online presence is just as important as in person, with a focus on the dangers of social media in spreading hate speech. This was particularly valuable to our students; many of whom were unaware of the impact their social media presence can have on others and their own career.”
The Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub
The Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub is a partnership between the Active Campus programme, Moray Council’s Sports Hub Development Team, Highlands and Islands Student’s Association (HISA) and LEAP Sport.
The hub provides students and the LGBT+ community the opportunity to participate in free activities, whilst providing valuable training for local grassroots clubs.
Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, said:
“The Moray Pride Inclusion Hub has been doing a great job in making sure sport and physical activity in the region is welcoming and accessible for everyone. Workshops like this help create opportunities for people to get involved, while also building a sense of belonging. The team deserves credit for the work they are doing to create a more inclusive sporting culture across Moray.”
By building confidence and identity, the hub aims to address research showing that people from the LGBTIQ+ community are less likely to join sports clubs.
Taster sessions and development pathways have helped people engage with local sports groups and also support the Moray LGBTQ+ Rights thematic sports hub to oversee delivery and ensure long-term sustainability.
The evaluation of the taster sessions showed that:
Roller skating was the most popular session, followed by fencing and Balintawak
All participants reported that they enjoyed the sessions
Feedback on the LEAP Sports Scotland training workshops (delivered to clubs who then ran the taster sessions) was very positive. Participants felt the content was pitched at the right level and found it constructive. Several clubs have since registered with LEAP Sports Scotland
Some participants who attended the taster sessions went on to join local clubs, including Moray Rollers (roller skating) and Elgin Duellist Fencing Club.
While attending and/or joining a sports club may not be an issue for many people who are LGBTQ+, the Moray Pride Inclusion Hub aims to give people the reassurance that joining a Moray sports club is as accessible as it can be.
About The Fair Play Foundation
Since 2013, The Fair Play Foundation have been providing support, educational tools and opportunities for sports clubs, schools, colleges, and organisations across Scotland and their mission is simple – to make sport a better place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, or disability.
The Fair Play Foundation works to support communities and individuals by using sport, exercise and leisure activities as a vehicle for positive change.
Through its work, the charity seeks to foster education, improve health, and develop social and life skills, helping people to thrive both within and beyond sporting environments.
Its objectives include advancing education, promoting equality and diversity, and encouraging greater public participation in sport.
The organisation also focuses on providing and supporting recreational facilities and activities that improve quality of life, alongside contributing to wider citizenship and community development, including both rural and urban regeneration.
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