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Race is a term often used to group people based on physical characteristics, such as skin colour, facial features, or hair texture.
It is important to recognise that race is a socially constructed concept, not a biological one. This means it has been shaped by history, society and culture, rather than science.
Race can influence how individuals are perceived and treated, and may impact their experiences, including in sport.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity relates to shared cultural factors, including:
Nationality or national origin
Culture and traditions
Language
Religion or belief
Ethnicity is about a person’s identity and heritage, and how they identify themselves.
At England Netball, we recognise and celebrate that we are part of a diverse nation. According to the Office for National Statistics, nearly 1 in 5 people in England and Wales are from an ethnically diverse community.
We are committed to ensuring that netball is inclusive, welcoming and accessible to people from all ethnicities and backgrounds. By understanding the different experiences and barriers individuals may face, we can create environments where everyone feels they belong, can flourish, and can thrive within our sport.
A Diverse Nation
18% of the population are from ethnically diverse communities (up from 14% in 2011).
Major cities and many local communities are even more diverse.
Sporting Participation
Data from Sport England shows:
Participation levels differ across ethnic groups. Some groups, particularly Black and Asian communities, are less likely to be active than the national average. These gaps are influenced by structural, cultural and access-related factors
Not everyone has the same opportunity or experience when it comes to taking part in sport.
Barriers to Participation
Lack of inclusive or welcoming environments
Limited representation (players, coaches, officials)
Cultural or religious considerations not being understood
Experiences of racism or discrimination
Cost and access (often intersecting with socioeconomic factors)
Barriers are often created by systems and environments, not individuals.
Representation and Role Models
Seeing individuals that reflect your identity and experience within sport increases:
- Confidence to take part
- Sense of belonging
- Likelihood of long-term engagement
Representation helps people to feel that they belong in sport.
Experiences of Racism
Individuals from ethnically diverse communities may experience overt racism, microaggressions or be made to feel unwelcome or excluded.
This can lead to lower participation, reduced transition into roles like coaching and in the end, dropout from sport.
Creating safe, inclusive environments is essential for participation and retention.
Avoiding Grouping
'Ethnically diverse communities' is used for the purposes of education but it does not represent a single 'standard' group.
Different communities have different cultural norms, motivations, barriers and preferences.
Understanding your local community is key to creating belonging.
Considering Intersectionality
Race and Ethnicity often intersect with:
Gender
Socioeconomic background
Religion
Disability
Barriers can be compounded when race and ethnicity intersect with other aspects of identity.
Women in Sport - May 2025 Black girls are the least active group of girls in England and 1 in 2 feel they have to downplay their cultural identity in sport.
