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abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com

BlogRunningScotland

BLOG 72: Active activists

Throughout history, the world of sport and activism have often collided. Because athletes and clubs gain exposure, many have decided to use their power to change our world for the better. It is no surprise that in the UK too, campaigns, charity events and movements are often supported by sportspeople. Marcus Rashford, Premier League captains, and many more have raised their voices about issues that mattered to them. But you don't have to go all the way to the top to find examples. Bellahouston Roadrunners are based in Glasgow and started their own campaign, #LightTheWay."For the past couple of years,…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
February 6, 2022
CyclingNews

Blog 66: Black History Month

Scottish Women in Sport is dedicated to promoting diversity, equality and parity in sport, based on education, empathy and compassion. In order to amplify the voices of marginalised communities, we created this blog to share inspiring stories that make us understand each other's experiences better. October 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month, originating from the US but now observed in many countries around the world.  It aims to "honour the too-often unheralded accomplishments of Black Britons in every area of endeavour throughout our history." This week, to participate in the conversation, we invited Dr Marlon Moncrieffe, Co-Convenor of…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
October 2, 2021
Gender pay gapScotlandSWIS Conference

Blog 63: Equality in sport?

On September 9, 2021, the annual Scottish Women in Sport Conference will make a grand return after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets are still available to 'The 51% Club' where our speakers discuss why are there so few women in leadership roles in sport. While there might be few of them, our speaker, Clíona O'Leary clearly proves that women are powerful and knowledgeable in leadership positions and deserve a seat at the table. Working as the Head of TV Sport in RTÉ for 11 years now, Clíona has been a part of several conversations about equality,…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
September 5, 2021
OlympicsScottish Women in Tokyo

Blog 60: Goodbye, Tokyo!

Tokyo 2020 is finished. Let's recap the victories, controversies and notable moments from this unorthodox Olympics. From day one, Tokyo 2020 promised to be unlike any other previous Games with its empty stadiums, infamous cardboard beds and controversial costs. But as the days went along, more and more topics of conversation emerged, proving once again that the Olympic Games are more than a sporting event.   Scottish success Team GB placed fourth in the Olympic medal count this year, with 65 shiny, brand-new medals to add to the collection. Scottish athletes took home 16 medals, which is an outstanding contribution we…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
August 10, 2021
Euro2020FootballScotland

Blog 56: Women on the stands

Tuesday's defeat to Croatia and the subsequent end of Scotland's Euro 2020 journey has shaken the hopeful nation this week. To commemorate the historic return to the world's football stage, we are celebrating the fans whose unwavering support got the team this far. Unsurprisingly, football is the most popular sport in Scotland, so much so, that it is considered to be part of our culture itself. What you may not know is that, even though the key football demographic is diversifying, women still only take up 8% of the Scottish football audience, according to a 2017 SFSA (Scottish Football Supporters Association ) report.…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
June 26, 2021
Swimming

Blog 54: ‘Swimming has been a lifeline for me’

Taking swimming lessons is beneficial for children, even if they don't turn out to be record-breaking athletes later on. Many of the best swimmers start out at the kids' pool at a very young age. They are the lucky few that found what they wanted to do with their lives when it has barely started. Cerys McCrindle's story started in a very similar way. She was only 3 months old when her toes were first dipped in the water as her parents took her swimming. Her mom, Karen smiled at her daughter's innocent giggles as she started moving her limbs in unison.…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
June 12, 2021
Swimming

Blog 50: Active and inspired by sport – Deaf Awareness Week #DAW2021

It's Deaf Awareness Week 2021 (3-9 May), and the SW/S Blog is joining the efforts to raise awareness and promote equality. Did you know that in the UK, 1 in 6 adults face deafness or hearing loss? Yet despite being the second most common disability, the invisible nature of deafness makes it easy for the community to be overlooked or forgotten. Deaf sports, however, have a longstanding history. The first Deaflympics was organised in 1924 (36 years before the first official Paralympic Games) and is considered the second-oldest multi-sport event in history. 'The Deaflympic Games have been around for a long time and the history…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
May 8, 2021
GymsNewsUpdates

Blog: 48 ‘No men and no mirrors’ – Women’s experiences in the gym

As COVID-19 spread last year and gyms had to close for safety, women were forced to start exercising outdoors, or not at all. During the darkening winter months, women reported being afraid to exercise outdoors with fears of being harassed or attacked by men.  Now, according to Scotland's latest roadmap out of lockdown, gyms are due to reopen on Monday, 26 April. But before we sit back comfortably in the knowledge that women are protected and happy in gyms, let's ask them! In England, women have rejoiced as they returned to gyms on 12 April (alongside other genders of course) and most of them have…
abi.k.johnston@googlemail.com
April 24, 2021