Getting Every Adult Active: Ashok Ahir, BME Sport Network Cymru

The 2014 Active Adults results highlighted how certain groups of Welsh communities are still less likely to be hooked on sport.  Ashok Ahir from the BME Sport Network looks at why it is essential to tackle this head on and how we all might take steps to doing so.

If we are to achieve a major improvement in the nation’s health then getting adults as well as children to take part in physical activity on a regular basis is critical. This challenge is often hardest in the places that need it most, especially in our more economically disadvantaged communities.

Over the past year Sport Wales has been working extremely hard to change the way it supports community sport with a key aim of helping us to become a healthier and more active nation. Helping adults who have greatest difficulty getting involved in regular participation in sport and physical activity has been an ambition of politicians and sports administrators for many years.

It is now more than five years since we had a government strategy for improving physical activity. ‘Creating An Active Wales’ had a variety of five year ambitions aimed at ‘making activity a natural part of people’s lives’. Most of us would agree that in 2016 we are still a long way from achieving that, particularly among communities where there are other inequalities affecting people’s health.

Wales’ minority ethnic population may be small, but it is growing particularly in our cities, with one in five people in Cardiff now from a minority ethnic background. Research suggests that the health and well-being of people from BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds is likely to be poorer than that of white people. 

Specific illnesses are also more prevalent among BAME communities; type two diabetes is up to six times more common for African and African Caribbean people while South Asians are at an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Therefore it is imperative that we develop targeted plans to get more adults in all of our minority ethnic communities more physically active.

When trying to get individuals in any community to do more physical activity, we know that one size (or offer) doesn't fit all. Understanding the needs of all target audiences is a critical part of any behaviour change. New research looking at sports participation among our BAME communities carried out by Leeds Beckett University and commissioned by Sport Wales has given us important new insights.

The study reinforced our prior knowledge that BAME individuals are more likely to engage in informal or ad-hoc physical activities. Which is why we must remind all people of the simple things they can do to improve their fitness; walking, hiking, cycling, yoga, zumba, tai chi etc.

While in formal settings, we must make a wider group of people feel welcome, through culture and gender specific initiatives such as women-only gym or swimming sessions. Meanwhile sports clubs, whatever the nature of their sport, need to re-examine the way they engage with all parts of their local community.

All providers must look at improving communication with certain ethnic and faith groups, through better promotion of facilities and opportunities and by finding contacts who can act as conduits to talented, enthusiastic individuals regardless of their background, race or faith. 

For more details on the Active Adults survey, visit www.activeadultssurevy.org.uk