Community Conversation: How Inclusive is our Sport?

Published: May 17, 2021

**CHANGE OF DATE: 14th June 7.30pm**

Our 2nd Community Conversation is taking place on Monday 14th June at 7.30pm on the topic of inclusion. It is a broad topic area and we are excited to put together an expert panel to answer your questions and for us to explore what can be done in our clubs and across the sport to ensure we are upholding our values of ‘Respectful, Welcoming, Inclusive, Dynamic and Rewarding’. Sign up to be part of the conversation here

We truly want you to be part of the conversation. Please bring your opinions, lived experiences and questions. Our panel for the inclusion community conversation include Neil Rankin (SOA Welfare Director), Carolina Sousa e Sa (LEAP Sports) and Lynne Glen (Scottish Disability Sport). We wish this to be a safe space for everyone to contribute to the discussion and an open forum to ask questions or explore aspects of our sport.

A brief introduction to our panel:

Carolina Sousa e Sa – Diversity & Inclusion in Sport

Carolina Sousa e Sa pictured during a SFA Strategy Launch at Hampden Park, on February 05, 2020 (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Carolina graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2018 with a masters in Sport Policy and International Development, and is now working as a Project Officer for LEAP Sports, Scotland’s LGBTIQ+ sports charity. She has always been a passionate sportsperson and a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly in a sports context. Alongside her work, Carolina has also volunteered as a Youth Ambassador for the Scottish FA, and is the current LGBTQ Lead for the Scottish Student Sport Equality Steering Group.

Lynne Glen – Disability Sport

Lynne Glen, Scottish Disability Sport Pathways Manager

I have been involved in sports development for the past 27 years on both a voluntary and professional capacity. In 2006, after being a volunteer in disability sport I was employed as regional manager to develop disability sport at a regional level. For the last eight years I have had the pleasure of supporting the Scottish Disability Sport Regional Network to:

  • Bring partners together to provide opportunities for participants with disabilities to engage in physical activity and sport and progress through pathways.
  • Provide bespoke support to participants to enable a smooth transition into physical activity and sport and progress to club.
  • Support mainstream clubs to develop inclusive practice to positively include participants and athletes with disabilities.
  • Build capacity within the sporting infrastructure to support the inclusion of participants and athletes with disabilities.

I believe sport is for everyone, I am passionate about people with disability having equitable experiences in sport and look forward to contributing to a discussion with the Orienteering Community around inclusive practice in all areas of the sport.