FOOTBALL UNITES UPDATE

In many instances Scottish football is at the forefront of our society. It brings people and communities together through a share love for the game and the positive impact it has on everyone who engages with it is clearly evident. Globally, football engages with many individuals regardless of their age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

The Scottish FA has therefore undertaken a number of actions to ensure our game can be Inclusive, diverse and open to everyone who wishes to participate.

Scottish FA Equality Framework

The Football Unites; Scottish FA Equality Framework offers the opportunity for Scottish Football to unify and work together to bring meaningful change across our national sport, which will provide a greater sporting environment for Scotland. Our overall vision; ‘football to be reflective and representative of Scotland’s demographic,’ is a mammoth task that we cannot underestimate. The creation of this Framework allows every football organisation, league, club and individual to fully understand how to create an inclusive environment, and provides them with some ownership over their actions. The only way to successfully provide meaningful change is to work together.

The Equality Framework consists of 2 Tactics sections; tactics specifically for the Scottish FA to have ownership over and tactics that can be embraced by everyone in the wider football community. The Scottish FA will lead on 18 tactics which oversee the following areas; strategy, development, education and welfare. The remaining 22 tactics can be undertaken by any football organisation, league body, club or individual involved in the game. These are the Wider Football Community tactics and for them to be successful we need to have buy in from people across all levels of the game.

To find out more on the Football Unites; Scottish FA Equality Framework please download the Framework and view the associated news article - https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-calls-on-football-to-unite-behind-new-equality-framework/

Scottish FA Grassroots Discrimination Reporting

A key factor in delivering the overall Vision and Mission is to ensure Scottish Football is a Safe and Enjoyable experience for all. To achieve this aim the Scottish FA has established a Discrimination Reporting Mechanism which allows any forms of Discrimination with Scottish Grassroots Football to be reported and investigated effectively.

The Reporting of Discrimination within the grassroots game not only allows the game to be a safe and enjoyable environment, but allows the Scottish FA to monitor potential high risk areas as well as educational needs within the Scottish Game.

To find out more on Grassroots Discrimination Reporting please download the Discrimination Reporting Guide and view the associated news article - https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-introduce-grassroots-discrimination-reporting-tool/?rid=13929

If you wish to report a form of Discrimination within the grassroots game, please complete the Reporting Form - https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football-development/attractive-game/discrimination-reporting-form/

Scottish FA Mental Health Action Plan

The physical health benefits of playing our national sport have been widely acknowledged; however participating in football at any level and in any capacity: playing, spectating, coaching or volunteering can also improve your mental wellbeing. The Scottish FA are committed to providing support for all its participants.

There remains a stigma when we talk about our mental health and the Scottish FA is committed to using football as a tool to break down this stigma and make a comfortable environment for people to openly discuss mental health. The Scottish FA have long supported mental health projects, from the creation of the world’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing National League for people living with various mental health conditions, providing a safe and nurturing environment to play and compete within football to the ground breaking research undertaken by the Hampden Sports Clinic in conjunction with UEFA to better understand the mental health challenges of senior professional players within Scotland which resulted in the creation of “Support Within Sport” providing confidential and immediate help for professional players and coaching staff.

The Scottish FA Mental Health Action Plan 2020-2024, the first plan of its kind within the Scottish FA will bring together the stakeholders and provide a clear path in which Scottish Football will aim to support mental health provision across Scotland.

To find out more on the Football Unites; Scottish FA Mental Health Action Plan please download the Action Plan and view the associated news article - https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-launches-new-action-plan-to-end-mental-health-stigma-in-scottish-football/?rid=13929

Equality in Scottish Football E-Learning

To support the Education of Scottish Football within Diversity and Inclusion the Scottish FA has launched the Equality in Scottish Football E-Learning.

The E-Learning covers areas such as:

• Scottish FA’s Equality Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion within Scottish Football
• Demographic of Scotland
• Exploring Potential Barriers
• Creating an Inclusive Environment
• Equality in Law
• Discrimination in Society
• Hate Crime in Scottish Law
• Equality Statistics
• Scottish FA Equality Framework
• Diversity and Inclusion in Practice
• Challenging Discrimination
• Scottish FA Discrimination Reporting

The new E-Learning is the second of the Scottish FA’s Diversity and Inclusion offerings adding to the Mental Health in Scottish Football E-Learning which was also launched in 2020. Continuing with its commitment to further educate the Scottish game the Scottish FA will develop further E-Learnings within specific Equality topics during 2021.

To access the Equality in Scottish Football E-Learning please to go https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football-development/coaching/find-a-course/