How can you create sports programs that include everyone?

2 Set clear and realistic goals

Once you have a clear picture of your current situation, you can set your goals for creating inclusive sports programs. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, you might want to increase the number of women, people of color, or people with disabilities in your sports programs by a certain percentage or number in the next year. You might also want to improve the quality and satisfaction of your participants' experiences, or create more opportunities for collaboration and learning among different groups.

3 Choose appropriate activities and formats

The next step is to choose the activities and formats that suit your goals and your participants' needs and preferences. You can either adapt existing sports programs or create new ones that are more inclusive. For example, you can modify the rules, equipment, or environment of a sport to make it more accessible for people with different abilities or skill levels. You can also offer different options or variations of a sport to cater to different interests or learning styles. You can also design your sports programs to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive to the feedback and input of your participants.

4 Train and support your staff and volunteers

Your staff and volunteers are the key to delivering inclusive sports programs. They need to have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work effectively with diverse participants, as well as the resources and support to do their job well. You can provide them with training and coaching on topics such as diversity and inclusion, cultural competence, communication, conflict resolution, and disability awareness. You can also create a supportive and inclusive work environment that values and respects their contributions, and encourages them to share their ideas and feedback.

5 Promote and communicate your programs

Finally, you need to promote and communicate your inclusive sports programs to your target audience and stakeholders. You need to use clear, consistent, and respectful messages that highlight the benefits and opportunities of your programs, as well as the expectations and responsibilities of your participants. You can use different channels and methods to reach out to your potential participants, such as social media, flyers, newsletters, or word-of-mouth. You can also partner with other organizations or groups that share your vision and values, and can help you spread the word or provide referrals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?