GB Snowsport And Home Nations Announce New D&I Advisory Group

The Advisory Group, which will serve an initial period to the end of 2021 ahead of longer-term decisions on the most appropriate structure for the NGBs to work collaboratively on Diversity and Inclusion, will have representation from GB Snowsport, Snowsport England, Snowsport Scotland and Snowsport Wales alongside an Independent Chair and Independent Member to provide outside counsel and expert guidance.

Drawing on data and analysis from the Governing Bodies’ previously announced Diversity and Inclusion research programme, the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group will initially focus on three key areas: Racial and Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion, LGBTQ+ Diversity and Inclusion, and Disability Diversity and Inclusion. Covering snowsports’ pathway from grassroots and recreational participation through to elite and world class performance throughout British snowsport, the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group will focus initially on practical steps that can help to entrench the importance of Diversity and Inclusion within the Governing Bodies’ work.

The Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group will be Independently Chaired by Hilary Lissenden, Head of Community Sport for the Mayor of London, and will have additional Independent Member support from Melanie Antao, an experienced sport professional with expertise in funding, programme development and high-performance sport from a career encompassing roles at Sport England, Premiership Rugby and the Football Foundation.

The Advisory Group, which meets formally for the first time this month, has already received welcome offers of support from a number of external parties with specific experiences of advocacy and engagement around the identified key areas, and looks forward to welcoming input and testimony from a range of external specialists over the coming months.

Among the organisations and individuals offering their support to the Advisory Group are:

• John Dickinson-Lilley – Former European Cup winner and Stonewall Sporting Champion
• Mick Carter – SVP, Culture Marketing, The Marketing Arm
• Phil Young – Founder, The Outsiders Project
• Roger Walton – Nubian Ski
• Two Circles
• Stonewall

Vicky Gosling, GB Snowsport Chief Executive, welcomed the launch of the diversity and inclusion advisory group, saying: “Across the whole of our sport we recognise just how important improving diversity and inclusion is; the Advisory Group will play an important role in helping us to take meaningful steps that can lead to real improvements.

“We are delighted to have the support of so many expert individuals and organisations in this endeavour, in particular Hilary Lissenden and Mel Antao whose experience and knowledge of the wider sport sector will ensure we are making informed decisions around this important area of work.”

Further detail on snowsport’s responses to Diversity and Inclusion will be shared over the coming months, including new information on the findings of the Diversity and Inclusion research programme