LGBT+ students and the wider LGBT+ community across Moray are set to benefit from the launch of a new Community Sport Hub based out of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Moray campus.
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, and will provide students and the LGBT+ community the opportunity to participate in free activities, whilst providing valuable training for local grassroots clubs.
The new hub is part of the Community Sport Hub programme and Active Campus network, both delivered via a partnership with sportscotland to support the contribution sport and physical activity has within communities across Scotland.
Club workshops
The initiative saw the delivery of a bespoke online workshop created by LEAP Sport to local grassroots sports clubs with the aim of encouraging them to be strong allies and help battle homophobia in sport.
The topics covered within the workshop included the use of language and stereotypes, homophobic behaviours and/or attitudes, and how to educate yourself and others through continuous learning.
Among the clubs involved in the workshop and who have joined the hub are roller skating, football, hockey, table tennis, fencing, martial arts and multi-sports clubs
The workshop was then followed up in the games hall at UHI Moray with a taster session in roller skating delivered by Moray Rollers, and official LEAP accreditation has been awarded to those clubs participating in the workshop so that they can be included in the LEAP directory of LGBT+ friendly clubs.
Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub is now delivering taster sessions run by local clubs to LGBT+ students and the wider community.
Aims of the hub
Research has shown that members of the LGBT+ community are less likely or hesitant about joining a sports club, so the aims of Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub will be:
- To share the enjoyment of a range of different recreational sports thereby further strengthening the resilience and identity of the Moray LGBTQ+ community
- To breakdown any barriers and establish a pathway for all ages of the LGBTQ+ community to join local sports groups through the provision of a range of organised taster sessions
- To support the establishment of a Moray LGBTQ+ Rights thematic sport hub that will oversee the programme and support its future sustainability
What they said
Jack Whyte, based at UHI Moray’s Moray Street campus, said:
“With over 3,000 students attending the campus, there was a high number of students not taking part in sport or physical activity, particularly within the LGBT+ community.
"The Active Campus programme isn't just about sport and physical activity. We are always working to support marginalised students and the local community. This term is going to see a focus on bringing the Active Campus programme, and our student participation, into the community, so more people can benefit.”
Robin Paterson, Community Sport Hubs Development Officer, said: “As sports coaches we want to offer a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for everyone who wants to try a new sport for the first time. This initiative is about taking the first steps to ensure that this is the case for the LGBTQ+ community.”
At the end of the first session, participants overwhelming response was very positive. One student said: “I think this is a great idea, and the session tonight has been really fun.
"Sport isn’t always something associated with LGBT+, so this has been a welcome response to community need.”
Find out more
- Community sport hubs
- Learn more about the Active Campus network
- Find out about community sport hubs in Moray
