The SCA Ethnicity Equality group has just been formed and had their first meeting last week. The discussion was focused around what needs to be done to increase representation and engagement with ethnic minorities throughout the country and across disciplines. The newly formed group would like more members to join them. If you are passionate about supporting us in raising our game and better supporting ethnic minorities in Paddlesport please get in touch with equality@canoescotland.org.

The early discussions have suggested the group could support the SCA in the following ways:

• Creating safe, welcoming, and supportive spaces for people to discover and pursue passions and hobbies.
• Reaching out to the existing communities and individuals struggling to be heard or gain a foothold in a place that feels other.
• Understanding various needs and constraints, acknowledging and allowing for them within established frameworks.
• Encouraging everyone who wants to join see and feel that they can be part of the paddling community.
• Giving access and opportunities to all who want to be involved.
• Showing ethnic minorities participating in paddlesports so that all can feel seen, heard, and represented.
• Educating the wider paddling community about issues that they may be unaware of or misunderstand in order to facilitate inclusion and create active allies.

 We would love to hear your ideas, please get in touch with equality@canoescotland.org if you have any thoughts or suggestions, or if you would like to join the group to start working on delivering some of these aspirations.