Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership (KRSP) is excited to announce the launch of a new LGBTQ+ Awareness Training programme for sports clubs across Kilkenny and Carlow. This initiative is the result of an in-depth 2022 study that sought to understand how LGBTQ+ teens and young adults felt about inclusion in sports. The findings were significant, revealing that 80% of LGBTQ+ teens aged 13-18 in Kilkenny and Carlow had experienced or witnessed discrimination in sports settings.
In response, one of the key recommendations from this study was to offer LGBTQ+ awareness training for coaches and trainers. You can read the full report here.
To further inform this effort, KRSP reached out to local sports clubs earlier this year to gauge their awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. The results were overwhelmingly clear:
• 93% of clubs had never received any LGBTQ+ awareness training,
• 71% expressed interest in receiving such training,
• 79% requested a self-guided, online training format for convenience and accessibility.
We Listened – and We Acted.
In response to these findings, KRSP has developed a unique, on-line e Training programme with Accelerator Sport /eCoach. This 2-hour, self-guided LGBTQ+ awareness training programme is designed specifically for sports clubs and aims to equip clubs with the knowledge and tools to create more inclusive environments for everyone.
To ensure the programme meets the needs of local clubs, KRSP is now launching a pilot phase of the training and seeking sports clubs in Kilkenny and Carlow to participate. This is a free training opportunity, and we invite one representative from each club to take part in the pilot over the next two weeks.
Pilot phase ends on Oct 25th
We kindly request clubs complete the training by October 25th to help us enhance and refine the programme based on feedback before rolling it out more widely. Clubs can register here to take part.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on inclusion and diversity in local sports.
KRSP continues to support inclusion
Commenting on this important initiative, Seamus Nugent, KRSP Sports Inclusion Development Officer said “At KRSP, we believe that education is key to combating prejudice and developing sports clubs, organisation and facilities where everyone feels safe and valued. Our new programme offers an accessible way for people to learn how they can contribute to a more inclusive sports environment, whether they are a coach, a team leader, or simply someone in the club who wants to be an ally.”
This project was funded by the Sport Ireland Evaluation Grants Scheme.