Scotland’s national agency for sport, sportscotland, has today outlined further details of a full independent review of racism within Scottish cricket.
The independent review, which will be led by vastly experienced industry equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) experts Plan4Sport, will get underway next month and cover five key areas:
· In-depth consultation and engagement with individuals and organisations at all levels of Scottish cricket
· The creation of a confidential space for individuals to share their personal experiences with follow up support and signposting provided
· A comprehensive review of existing Cricket Scotland policies and procedures in line with equality, diversity and inclusion best practice
· Production of a full public report with associated recommendations for Cricket Scotland to address, held to account by sportscotland
· Further community engagement with those affected by racism ahead of publication of the full recommendations report.
Established in 2003, Plan4Sport has supported hundreds of sports organisations across the country – including governing bodies – in areas such as equality, diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, governance and leadership.
The multi-disciplinary company employ a skilled and diverse team of specialist staff supported by a wider group of expert consultants, with experience working across all levels of the sport sector.
They are all equality, diversity and inclusion experts from a variety of different backgrounds including governance, safeguarding and child protection, global leadership on EDI, professional and grassroots community sport and will lead the review of racism within Scottish cricket.
Managing Director of Plan4Sport, Louise Tideswell, said: “We have been brought on board by sportscotland to do this crucial piece of work. We will listen to people and give them a confidential safe space to tell their stories and share their experiences. The team involved in the review have very diverse backgrounds and some also have
lived experiences of discrimination, so we know how important it is to be heard and for there to be change where it is needed.”
Working alongside Louise on the review are: Dr Fiona Bartels-Ellis OBE, Aneel Javed, Sharon Girling OBE, Lucy Faulkner and Chris Gibbons.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “Racism and discrimination of any kind must never be tolerated in sport and we are committed to playing our part in tackling issues where they exist. That is why it is vital a full independent investigation is carried out into racism in Scottish cricket.
“This will be a difficult time for many connected with the sport, but it is important that we all take the time to listen to what is said, and more importantly, to take steps to make things right. This will not happen overnight but in time I hope that the sport can heal, and that together, we can help rebuild trust.
“Plan4Sport has vast experience in this area and bring with them a diverse and skilled team of specialists, who will deal with this review with the highest level of professionalism, independence, empathy, integrity and compassion. They will have the full support of everyone at sportscotland as they carry out this independent review.”
President of Cricket Scotland, Sue Strachan, said: “Cricket Scotland and its Regional Associations, The Cricket Scotland Match Officials Association(CSMOA) and the Scottish Cricketers Association(SCA) are fully committed to engaging with Plan4Sport and sportscotland to assist this independent review. We will make change where it is required in order to ensure that there is no place for racism or discrimination within cricket in Scotland.”
A confidential email has been set up for people to register their interest in taking part in the consultation groups that will form part of the review cricketreview@sportscotland.org.uk
Full scope of review
· An in-depth consultation exercise covering all levels of Scottish cricket, with opportunities to share experiences. Central to this piece of work, which will start in January 2022 will be interviews and focus groups with the following past and present:
o Grassroots players
o Coaches
o Umpires
o Club volunteers
o Performance players (men’s and women’s teams)
o Administrators
o Interviews with each Regional Association Management Committee
o Staff members of Cricket Scotland
o Board members of Cricket Scotland
· The creation of a confidential disclosure process for people to share their personal experiences, with guaranteed anonymity. Where appropriate and necessary, follow-up support, signposting, and further investigation, will be
provided. This process will start in January 2022 and will be in place for up to six months, with the potential to extend or reduce based on uptake and engagement. All disclosures will be reviewed and responded to individually and if required passed to the relevant authority or agency. This may include:
o Police Scotland
o Victim support services
o Cricket Scotland
· A comprehensive review of existing Cricket Scotland policies and procedures in line with equality, diversity and inclusion best practice, to ensure that lessons are learned, and that action is taken to address any issues identified as part of this process. This will start in December 2021.
· Publication of an in-depth report with associated recommendations that Cricket Scotland will take forward and address, with sportscotland responsible for holding the governing body and its associations to account on all areas of its implementation.
· Further community engagement with the individuals and communities most affected by racism in cricket, ahead of the publication of the recommendations report. This will include a series of meetings to brief identified stakeholders prior to the release of the report. The report is expected to be published July 2022.
Ends
Notes to editors:
· sportscotland is the national agency for sport. It is a non-departmental public body, responsible through ministers to the Scottish Parliament. It is a National Lottery Fund distributor and is governed by National Lottery distribution rules. sportscotland invest Scottish Government and National Lottery resources to build a world-class sporting system for everyone in Scotland.
· Is e spòrsalba am buidheann nàiseanta airson spòrs. ’S e buidheann poblach neo-roinneil a th’ ann, cunntachail tro na ministearan do Phàrlamaid na h-Alba. Tha e na riaraiche air Maoin a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta agus air a riaghladh le riaghailtean riarachaidh a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta. Tha spòrsalba ag inbheisteadh stòrasan Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus a’ Chrannchuir Nàiseanta gus siostam spòrs aig ìre chruinneil a thogail do gach neach ann an Alba.
Plan4Sport team overview
Project Team
Louise Tideswell, Managing Director, Plan4Sport
Louise has 25 years’ experience and knowledge of sport gained through her work with National Governing Bodies and professional football clubs and has implemented and assessed over 250 organisations against EDI frameworks.
Louise has significant experience in undertaking organisational reviews, strategic planning and stakeholder consultation. She has also been deployed as interim CEO into sporting bodies where there are identified governance issues and changes in senior management personnel have resulted in the need to provide stability and business continuity. This has included managing the senior team, undertaking reviews of the workforce and Board and delivering cultural change programmes
Dr Fiona Bartels-Ellis OBE
Fiona is Global Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the British Council. She has responsibility for setting and driving the strategic direction of EDI across offices in over 100 countries and territories.
Aneel Javed
Aneel is an EDI Consultant working across sport having previously held the role of Head of Inclusion for 7 years at the English Football League.
Sharon Girling OBE
GirlingHughes Associates Ltd is a company dedicated to promoting the safety and well-being of children and adults at risk across international boundaries. We have previously worked for and currently work with many organisations nationally and internationally including government agencies, non-government organisations, charities and educational institutions. We have extensive experience in auditing, evaluating and reviewing organisational practices and ensuring their capabilities are enhanced.
We support agencies in investigating recent and non-recent incidents, reviewing policies and procedures, developing and delivering training, assessing all aspects of safeguarding including an organisations safer recruitment capability.
Our team consists of former police detectives, senior social workers and senior leaders in schools all of who have years of experience in investigating.
Lucy Faulkner
Lucy Faulkner has over 35 years of experience working with NGBs, local authorities and organisations supporting them on projects including the development of EDI strategies, policies, procedures and actions plans as well as the design and development of EDI learning opportunities.
Previous roles include nine years at The FA where she was the Equality Manager and three years as Child Protection Co-ordinator. She current holds the role of Director at Netball Scotland and is the Board Equality and Safeguarding champion.
Chris Gibbons
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant working with governing bodies, professional and grassroots sports across the UK.