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We know that sport and physical activity are powerful tools to bring people together and help individuals stay healthy, connected and happy, regardless of background or ethnicity.

However, we recognise that many communities are still underserved, and access to these opportunities are not always equal. A survey conducted by the University of Nottingham (UoN) identified a lack of diversity among students, staff, and promotional materials within sport at the university. 

This case study focusses on the work of the Black Sport Collective (BSC). The BSC was launched in October 2023 with the goal of celebrating Black students' achievements in sport, creating more opportunities for Black students to participate, and forming partnerships with organisations and societies that could provide additional opportunities and community connections.

The collective has been working hard to build a platform that promotes inclusion and belonging within UoN’s sports settings.

How it began

UoN Sport formed the BSC after research identified that Black students were significantly under-represented in their sports and physical activities. The research identified three major barriers affecting Black students from accessing sport and physical activity at UoN:

  • Costs: Unaffordable memberships and participation fees were preventing many Black students from joining clubs and groups.
  • Culture: Many Black students felt like there was not an inclusive environment that actively embedded diverse cultures; instead students reported experiencing microaggressions.
  • Representation: There was a reported lack of diversity across the student body, staff and promotional materials. 21% of Black students felt they did not belong in UoN sport.

A collaborative approach

Led by their Black Sport Development Officer, Derrick Osaze, two paid Black student ambassadors, and over 30 Black student volunteers, the BSC has flourished from a small WhatsApp group to, in 2024, a thriving community of almost 600 individuals.

The BSC has worked to reduce financial barriers by offering free opportunities for students to try new ways to be physically active that typically don’t have Black representation. They aim to help students discover where they feel most comfortable within university sports clubs and maximise their potential. 

The collective also hosts events like the ‘Real Talk’ series, which provides an opportunity for Black students to come together, collaborate and discuss relevant issues within the Black community in a safe space, where they do not feel the pressure of needing to ‘educate anyone’.

The BSC has held student-led panels and discussed their views and experiences around microaggressions, racial protests, cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation and how afro hair is viewed in the workplace.

Achievements and events

Since launching, the BSC has made impressive progress, with a 63% increase in Black student participation in UoN sports from 2023 to 2024. The work carried out by the BSC was recognised by the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), who awarded the BSC team the Workforce Development award.

One of the highlights of the BSC's first year was the launch of the Black Sports Collective Ball, which celebrated the achievements of Black athletes at UoN and contributed towards their increased sense of belonging. The collective embedded their values further through the local Black businesses, caterers and vendors hired for the event. 

The BSC’s impact has extended beyond sport. Through its network, members have been able to access external work experience and funding opportunities. The collective’s role in elevating Black voices in various areas of university life has been apparent, the impact of which being felt but their ever-expanding community. 

Partnerships and collaborations

To expand its reach, the BSC has formed valuable partnerships, including:

Challenges

Funding

A key challenge is funding. The BSC’s current funding is only secured until the end of the year, and the collective is actively looking for new sources of financial support to ensure its sustainability. Like many initiatives, a steady funding stream is crucial to continue their hard work and community outreach.

Succession planning

A further potential challenge for BSC is maintaining trust, succession planning, and ensuring smooth leadership transitions. Their success is closely tied to the leadership of the Black Sport Development Officer, Derrick Osaze, a key contributor who has been guiding the collective from the start. Should this individual leave, there are concerns about the BSC’s momentum and continuity. 

What's next?

The BSC plans to continue growing and aims to secure additional funding to maintain its programmes. The university’s marketing team has recently launched a dedicated “UoNBSC” Instagram account, which will showcase the achievements of Black UoN athletes and keep the community informed about upcoming events. This digital presence should help further the BSC’s mission and engage more students.

BSC's top tips

Based on their experience, the BSC offers the following advice for developing inclusive cultures and starting similar initiatives in your organisations, institutions or local area:

Be authentic and keep it simple
Ensure that at the heart of any initiatives are the people you’re trying to engage. Keep interventions simple and specific and bag the easier, short-term wins, while still pursuing long-term change.
Listen to your audience
Take the time to understand the specific needs and barriers faced by the community you aim to support.
Power of choice
Create as many opportunities as possible to cater to as many different people and give them choice, not applying a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
Celebrate successes
Host events or use social media to highlight the achievements of your members and showcase their talents to inspire others and build connections.
Build partnerships
Collaborate with other organisations to provide additional opportunities and resources for your members.