“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

– Nelson Mandela (2000)

Sport has long been celebrated as a powerful force for unity, bringing people together from different cultures and faiths through shared competition, teamwork, and passion. In theory, it provides a level playing field where talent and dedication should be the only determining factors of success. Sadly, the reality is more complex.

While sport has the potential to foster inclusion, it also reflects—and sometimes reinforces—deep-rooted inequalities. From grassroots participation to elite competition, engagement in sport is far from representative of the wider population. Discriminatory policies and practices—whether in the form of outdated rules that marginalise certain religious and cultural identities or barriers to leadership roles within the industry—continue to exclude people from diverse backgrounds. For example, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games banned competitors and support staff from wearing hijabs, preventing some Muslim women from participating. Meanwhile, racism remains a pervasive issue in sports, as seen when the England football team faced a torrent of abuse during and after their Euro 2020 final loss. 

The Ethnicity and Faith Gap in Numbers

Looking at the statistics alone, it’s clear that the sports landscape still has a long way to go before it can be considered truly inclusive:

• Only 5% of coaches in the UK come from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.

• Only 7% of sports professionals (outside of performers) are from BME backgrounds.

• People from BME communities are 50% less likely to volunteer in sport compared to the general population.

These figures reflect a broader issue in physical activity engagement, where ethnic and religious minorities face systemic barriers—ranging from exclusionary policies to microaggressions and outright prejudice within sporting environments. According to the Active Adults Live survey from Sport England, Mixed and White adults continue to have the highest activity levels in the UK, while South Asian, Black and those with other ethnic origins are the least likely to be active. Over half of people in black and minority ethnic (BME) communities do no sport or physical activity.

There’s also a larger difference between physical activity levels in men and women of different ethnic backgrounds, with females from White backgrounds being more likely to take part in sports and physical activity compared to people from Asian, Other and Black backgrounds. Sport Scotland reports that Pakistani adults are least likely to participate in sport (30% compared to an average of 49%), which goes some way to explaining why older Pakistani women report such poor health relative to other demographics in Scotland.

People who state they have no religion are also more likely to be physically active compared to those who belong to a faith group. Among those practising a religion, those of a Buddhist, Christian, Jewish or Sikh faith are more likely to be physically active, with activity levels the lowest amongst those who practise Islam. Young people of Muslim faith also report more barriers to being active in school than young people from other faiths, with 28% of Muslim girls saying they do not feel comfortable taking part in PE with boys and that doing so stops them from being more active at school. This is compared with 15% of Christian girls, 19% of Sikh girls and 18% of girls of no faith. As Sports England notes, “Young Muslim women in the UK seem to have very negative views regarding PE in schools”, far more negative than we see in traditional Muslim countries. 

Muslimah Sports Association (MSA), England’s largest Muslim women’s sports charity, reports that 97% of British Muslim women surveyed want to increase their current participation in sports – yet 37% are not involved in any sports or activities. The report found British Muslim women are most interested in learning or participating in swimming, which was also the sport that brought the most challenges with women not being able to find “comfortable environments” to participate in. Tellingly, 43% of Muslim women do not think current sports facilities are appropriate for them, and 33% say previous experiences have negatively impacted their participation in sports. 

The Role of Sports and Fitness Professionals

The underlying causes behind these engagement gaps are myriad and complex but include:

• Traumatic experiences, for example, experiencing racial abuse or microaggressions in a sports context.
• A lack of cultural and religious accommodations in sports rules, for example, dress codes or celebrations.
• A lack of visible role models or ambassadors in sports.
• Cultural attitudes towards gender roles and physical activity 

It’s not hard to see how some of these factors work together to perpetuate a vicious cycle; athletes are reluctant to get involved with sports because their faith or culture isn’t recognised or accommodated, translating to a lack of visible role models for those growing up in these same cultural environments and thus a lack of engagement. 

Fostering Inclusivity: Practical Steps for Change

Those working within the industry have a key role to play in building a more inclusive health and fitness landscape where diverse voices are heard, valued, and accommodated. This will require change at every level, but whether you coach a sports team or work as a personal trainer, your decisions can make a difference. With this in mind, let’s explore some key principles for working inclusively with those from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

Language Matters

Microaggressions are indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized society group such as a racial or ethnic minority. They can make a person feel devalued and disrespected. Many microaggressions draw on harmful racial stereotypes, for example the idea that an African-American individual would be good at track, or that a Pakistani individual would be good at cricket. Oftentimes, the same behaviour amongst people from separate ethnic groups can be labelled differently, too, which is another form of microaggression. For example, a commentator might refer to a White-British athlete as “intense”, whilst calling a BAME athlete “aggressive”.

Your words are powerful and can negatively influence how someone feels and sees themselves. Be willing to critically assess your own language in a more nuanced and informed way. If you have committed microaggressions, this doesn’t necessarily make you a bad person. However, it’s crucial you acknowledge the harm these comments can cause and are committed to change.

BBC: Five people open up on racial microaggressions they have experienced in sport

Empathise with Those Facing Prejudice in All Its Forms

It’s important that you validate a client’s feelings and empathise if they open up about facing prejudice. Just because you haven’t experienced discrimination in a certain setting, that doesn’t mean that’s true for other people too. White privilege refers to the day-to-day advantages that come from being White (or assumed by others to be White) and thus not facing racism. White people may experience prejudice, discrimination, stigma and disadvantage for many other reasons. But not facing an extra layer of disadvantage on the basis of one’s race is still a privilege.

Challenge Discrimination When You See It

A key part of allyship means challenging discrimination if you encounter it. Whether you hear a comment from a colleague or witness prejudice against a person based on their race, faith, gender, or sexuality amongst your students, stand up for those being marginalised. All of us have a part to play in tackling racism and that means practicing a zero-tolerance policy.

Proactively Adapt Training and Coaching Methods

Whether you’re leading a Pilates class, instructing a spin session, working as a personal trainer, or coaching in any other capacity, it’s essential to be mindful of cultural and religious considerations. Be prepared to adapt your approach to ensure all clients feel comfortable and included.

For example, be aware that some individuals may prefer demonstrations without physical contact for religious or personal reasons. Similarly, offering a flexible dress code that accommodates cultural or religious attire—such as hijabs, turbans, or looser clothing—can make a significant difference. If you work for an employer, initiate discussions with your manager about how to foster a more inclusive environment that welcomes and respects all clients.

Educate Yourself and Others

Commit to ongoing education on issues of race, religion, and cultural identity in sport and fitness. Engaging with resources from organisations like Sporting Equals or the Muslimah Sports Association is a great place to start. Undergoing unconscious bias training and encouraging colleagues to do the same can also help challenge subtle forms of discrimination that may otherwise go unaddressed. Creating a more inclusive fitness industry requires a proactive and continuous effort to recognise and challenge bias at every level.

Listen to and Amplify Diverse Voices

One of the most effective ways to break down barriers in sports and physical activity is to listen to those who are least represented. Build connections with local community groups to understand the challenges people face in accessing fitness spaces, and create opportunities for open dialogue where diverse perspectives can be heard. Inviting guest speakers, trainers, or athletes from underrepresented backgrounds to share their experiences can also help raise awareness and drive meaningful change.

The Balls in Your Court

By taking these steps, fitness professionals and coaches can actively contribute to dismantling barriers and creating a sports and physical activity landscape where everyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, or faith—feels genuinely welcome. True inclusivity goes beyond passive acceptance; it requires continuous learning, proactive allyship, and a commitment to challenging discrimination in all its forms. By fostering an environment of respect, understanding, and equity, we can ensure that sport and fitness truly become spaces where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.