Equality and Sport 2024 Research
23rd June 2025
Not everyone feels included in sport
sportscotland have recently published their Equality and Sport 2024 Research. The research follows on from previous iterations published in 2016 and 2020. sportscotland recognise that "not everyone feels included in sport”, and introducing the research Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive, says that "The research explores ways to help improve work within the sport sector across Scotland, to advance equality, eliminate discrimination and foster good relations. It has delivered a set of practical recommendations that can strengthen our approach".
In the workforce survey, there was a strong sense that there has been a real shift in the way people in the sector think about equality in recent years. Despite this, one third of respondents still felt that there was only a little priority given to equality with more than 90% saying that there is a need for further progress and improvement in this area. Over 75% had seen people experiencing barriers in trying to access sport
The research points to disparity across different levels and parts of sport with equality being seen as fairly centred in strategy and policy, but with struggles to make sport inclusive at the community level. Similarly 71% of respondents felt that equality is taken into account either "completely" or "a lot" within schools and education, only 29% felt the same way in relation to performance sport, while for clubs and communities, the figure is 49.6%. See more of the equality trends and findings in the full report here.
What does the research say about LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport?
The sports sector were asked to rate their understanding of equalities issues in relation to different equality characteristics. 53% of respondents rate some understanding but lack comprehensive and confident knowledge relating to LGBTIQ+ people overall, with 47% in relation to trans and non-binary people. Looking at it over the period of 2016-2024, whilst there are significant improvements in comprehensive understanding of some equalities issues, this represents little change in relation to LGBTIQ+ people, and no significant improvements in relation to trans and non-binary gender people. The highest numbers reporting that they know nothing at all are found in relation to trans and non-binary people at 28%, with the report concluding The area that requires most attention is LGBTQ+.
The research also considers the numbers of academic papers, grey literature and research reports released over the last period. An increase in publications relating to sexual orientation was recorded, with a sharper increase in publications relating to gender reassignment. More on this can be found in the research database here.
Around one quarter of respondents still felt that they did not have enough resources and information available, though almost 58% felt that they did. On a positive note those who did cited contact with organisations such as LEAP Sports, Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH). On the whole, 61.4% felt they still wanted help to understand how to support access for LGBT+ people, rising to 71.6% for trans and non-binary people specifically.
Recommendations
Despite positive shifts overall, there is still insufficient progress evident when it comes to LGBTIQ+ equality and inclusion. The research recommends a range of different actions. Some notable points include:
- championing lived experience and encourage inclusion of voices with lived experience in decision-making
- further development of training programmes adapted around priority areas including LGBT+ and trans and non-binary inclusion
- targeted training and capacity building for grassroots volunteers
- promoting and encouraging further research, guidance and resource development
- development of initiatives that include aspects such as allyship, reverse mentoring, leadership diversity and so on
- exploring designated specific points of contact within communities through which local clubs and organisations can access support around different aspects of equality and inclusion in sport
- free or low-cost community-based sports programmes, including more flexible payment options
The full Equality and Sport 2024 Research can be found here
