Inclusivity in sport award nomination for our University

Our University has been nominated for a national award for its efforts to make sport more inclusive for all.

The University’s Sport & Active Life Service is shortlisted in the British University & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Awards.

The Take A Stand Award, which recognises and rewards institutions for their inclusive approach to sport, will be announced on 13 July at the Awards Dinner taking place in Hertfordshire.

Elizabeth Jennings, Project Officer,  said: “The Sport & Active Life Service is delighted to have been nominated for this award, recognising the University’s commitment to increasing inclusivity in sport. The hard work of the service, the Students’ Union, Sports Officer Rasteen Riyahi-Boni, and the institution as whole has contributed to our successful nomination bid.

 “The nomination for this award pays homage to the dedication shown to inclusivity across the University, something the Sport & Active Life service have adopted wholeheartedly. This year saw more students involved with sport at the University than ever before, creating a cohort of students from all walks of life.

“Our programmes all aim to promote inclusivity, whether that be within our competitive sports teams or our participation programmes. This year we witnessed a substantial student Pride Week, organised by the University Sports Officer Rasteen Riyahi-Boni, which aimed to tackle gender and sex based discrimination in sport. Overall the work of all those involved with sport at Leicester aims to provide an extensive and well-rounded sporting experience, designed specifically to promote inclusivity and routes for students and staff at the University to get active.”

Among the initiatives that led to Leicester being nominated are:

• Compulsory sport committees training and a requirement that they agree to a code of conduct
• Recognition for outstanding achievements among clubs –including their campaigns and charity work
• Inclusivity workshops and events
• A Get Active campaign for less represented groups
• Campaigns for mental health and wellbeing as well as efforts to enhance BME representation and tackle misogyny.
• Outreach and volunteering

Elizabeth added: “This year our competitive sports club membership has grown to over 2000 members strong which is a first and we hope to expand this further and ensure that our campus is as active as possible.”