LGBT+ Community Sports Hub launched in Moray

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UHI Moray has launched a LGBT+ Community Sports Hub through the Active Campus programme in partnership with Moray Council’s Sports Hub Development Team, Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) and LEAP Sport.

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The Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub will give our students and local LGBT+ community the opportunity to participate in free activities, whilst providing valuable training for local grassroots clubs.

The initiative saw UHI Moray’s Active Campus Co-ordinator, Jack Whyte, supporting 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.

Individuals from clubs across roller skating, football, field hockey, table tennis, fencing, multi-sports and martial arts got together online on Tuesday 24th September for the workshop, along with UHI Moray’s Active Campus Co-ordinator and HISA’s Sports Development Co-ordinator.

Some of the topics covered included the use of language and stereotypes, homophobic behaviours and/or attitudes, and how to educate yourself and others through continuous learning.

The workshop was then followed up with a launch event in the Games Hall at UHI Moray on Thursday 26th September which featured interactive sessions including roller skating led by Moray Rollers.

Official LEAP accreditation has now been awarded to participating clubs and they will be proudly included in the LEAP directory. The hub partnership is now planning taster sessions to be delivered by the clubs to Moray students and the local LGBT+ community.

Jack Whyte, based at UHI Moray’s Moray Street campus, said:

“The Active Campus programme isn't just about sport and physical activity. We are always working to support marginalised students and local community. This term is going to see a focus on bringing the Active Campus programme, and our student participation, into the community.”

The Active Campus and Community Sport Hub projects are both delivered via a partnership with sportscotland, aligning with their Changing Lives Through Sport & Physical Activity initiative which encourages physical activity to be used as a tool for positive social change.

Persistent and ingrained prejudice in the wider society often makes members of the LGBT+ community hesitant about joining a sports club. The aims of the Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub are:

  • 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; and
  • To support the establishment of a Moray LGBTQ+ Rights thematic sport hub that will oversee the programme and support its future sustainability.

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.”

If any local clubs/coaches want to know more get in touch on jack.whyte.moray@uhi.ac.uk