Cricket Scotland is committed to becoming the most diverse sport in Scotland. A key part to enabling that is an on-going commitment throughout cricket to be welcoming to all groups and sections within our society.
We want to ensure that no individual (this includes players, spectators, coaches, officials and administrators) receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic status.
Central to this is our commitment to engaging with and learning from the ongoing independent review into racism within Scottish cricket. The review is due to be published in July 2022 and will provide an opportunity for us to change our sport for the better so that no one feels unwelcome and that in future no one will be subjected to racism within our sport.
Ahead of the publication of the review we would encourage everyone to read the Sporting Equals language resource which starts the discussion on what language should be used when dealing with or describing racial discrimination and equality.
We must create a safe and welcoming environment to all those who wish to be involved in cricket and ensure that everyone is treated fairly and with respect. To help guide this commitment to diversity and inclusion, Cricket Scotland have an `Equality Delivery Group` that meets regularly to push forward improvements for cricket.
We want to help all our clubs take this stance and provide support and guidance in helping you achieve this and become a hub for your community.
sportscotland has launched a toolbox of resources to help the sector learn more about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in sport and develop and promote inclusive practice.
It has a host of information on EDI and protected characteristics, links to the latest research in the area and e-learning modules to discover.
The way we communicate can help promote equality, diversity and inclusion. There are number of guides and resources on using appropriate, positive and empowering language and terminology:
In June 2021, the Cricket Scotland boards approved the 2021-2023 Equality Action Plan, which is regularly updated and can be viewed here.
In December 2021 Scotland’s national agency for sport, sportscotland, commissioned global EDI experts Plan4Sport to carry out an independent review into racism within Scottish cricket. That process is well underway and is being fully supported by Cricket Scotland. We are committed to improving our game and will act on all the recommendations brought forward by Plan4Sport when the final report is published in July 2022.
While we are still waiting on publication of the final report and the associated recommendations we would again encourage everyone to read the Sporting Equals language resource which starts the discussion on what language should be used when dealing with or describing racial discrimination and equality. This language resource is only a starting point and the review itself will provide further opportunities to change our sport for the better.
A significant number of people have already reached out to the independent review team and we would encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed racism, inequalities or discrimination to come forward. By sharing your experiences, you will help shape the report’s final recommendations and ultimately make a difference.
Anyone who has been affected by racism, discrimination or inequalities should contact cricketreview@sportscotland.org.uk in the first instance.
Cricket in Scotland involves a growing number of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Ensuring your members and club provide welcoming and understanding environments for everyone is important to the future of your club.
The ECB provide some excellent guidance on different religious faiths – click here
We recommend all cricket organisations make themselves aware of their responsibilities relating to the Equality Act 2010.
To find out more about the Equality Act 2010 legislation please read here. How the Equality Act 2010 relates to sport in Scotland can be found on the sportscotland website here.
Additional information on Positive Action in Sport can be found here
For more information and guidance on disability cricket, visit our Disability Cricket section, contact your Regional Development Officer or our Disability Cricket Development Officer: Barry McGeachy at barrymcgeachy@cricketscotland.com
For more guidance on how to start a women and girls section and make your club more welcoming to females, visit our Women and Girls Cricket page.
For support, you can contact your Regional Development Officer or Women & Girls Development Manager:
Rosy Ryan, at rosyryan@cricketscotland.com
Cricket Scotland deliver community cricket programmes in partnership with a number of fantastic partners like The Lord’s Taverners, Chance to Shine, Beyond Boundaries, Glasgow Caledonian University and Local Authority/Leisure Trusts. Many clubs in Scotland already partner with a range of local community groups using cricket as a way to increase participation in sport and physical activity and achieve social outcomes.
We are committed to sportscotland’s Changing Lives approach and can offer support to any club that would like to connect with their local communities, using cricket to change lives. Please contact your Regional Development Officer .