Rallying Allies to Build Belonging in Pickleball

As the Lead Safeguarding and Inclusion Officer for Pickleball Scotland, Sandra Macrae has a varied and interesting role that gives insights into lots of different pickleball activities in communities all across Scotland. Recently Sandra was invited to attend two sessions specifically for LGBTQIA+ people and their allies, designed to encourage wider participation in our sport.

Ross Taylor, ANGUSalive Community Sports Hub Co-Ordinator, and Wesley Rennison, Trustee with the Dundee Deuces, have worked in partnership with LEAP Sports, Dundee & Angus College and Pickleball Scotland to organise inclusion sessions for the LGBTQIA+ community in their local areas. In talking to Ross and Wesley, Sandra was pleased to learn that these pickleball sessions are not only providing opportunities for fun recreational and social activity, but importantly, they are reducing some of the barriers to participation in sport that many LGBTQIA+ people have faced.

Ross explained that following the success of pickleball at sports centres in Angus, the LGBTQIA+   sessions at Arbroath’s Saltire Sports Centre are being offered so that anyone who feels excluded or fears discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity will have a safe space with like-minded people to enjoy pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the world. He emphasised that although ANGUSalive recognises pickleball is an accessible and inclusive sport, it is still important to respond to the need to create safe spaces for members of the LGBTQIA+ community so that they can feel confident that they won’t be exposed to any criticism or harassment that might make them feel like they do not belong.

Research from Stonewall published in 2024 shows that one in four LGBTQIA+ people are not comfortable with participation in local sports groups and that one in five still experience discrimination (see https://www.stonewall.org.uk/news/new-research-shows-many-lgbtq-people-still-dont-feel-welcome-in-sport-as-rainbow-laces-kicks-off). As part of their commitment to develop inclusive practice in their venues, ANGUSalive sport and leisure staff have been undertaking LGBTQIA+ Inclusion and Sport training provided by sportscotland. Feedback indicates that this has helped establish clear anti-discrimination policies including zero-tolerance for homophobia, as well as practical improvements such as safer spaces and visible support for the LGBTQIA+ community through partnership work.

Ross Taylor said that the launch of the weekly LGBTQIA+ pickleball sessions at the Saltire Sports Centre in Arbroath on Wednesday 5 February had been a huge success. “We’d like to thank partnering organisations for their assistance in helping us to get this off the ground.” The inaugural session was attended by Sandra and she was delighted to see a great turnout. Also at that session were Rebecca Bond, Community Engagement Officer for Perthshire and Tayside at LEAP Sports Scotland, and Lauren Simpson, Active Campus Co-Ordinator at Dundee & Angus College. Lauren said: "It has been a pleasure to support ANGUSalive as they launch these sessions in Abroath which is a crucial step for inclusivity, offering a safe space for self-expression and community support."

 LGBTQIA+ pickleball sessions run at Saltire Sports Centre, every Wednesday from 5 – 6pm, bookings can be made on the ANGUSalive app or at www.angusalive.scot/sport-leisure/timetables/

Sandra, a certified Pickleball Scotland coach and member of the Coach Development Team who focuses on the wellbeing aspect of the game, was pleased to also be invited to visit one of the weekly pickleball sessions organised by Dundee Deuces which is a tennis and pickleball club for LGBTQIA+ people and their allies. With support from Active Dundee and the National Lottery Community Fund, those free recreational sessions are being offered on Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm, at St Paul’s Swim and Sports Centre, Gillburn Road, Dundee. The activity is organised by trained Pickleball Scotland facilitators who provide excellent support for players at all ability levels. Wesley explained, “our zero-cost model is something that some clubs will find odd, but many LGBTQIA+ people also face socio-economic challenges. So, we wanted to remove cost as a barrier to participation.” Sandra was impressed to hear from the club's Ambassador, Ciarán Haut, that over 40 people have been introduced to pickleball in 8 months and almost all have enjoyed the game so much they are continuing to play and develop their skills with support from Club Coach, Fabian Haut. Wesley explained: “our Dundee Deuces pickleball sessions are fostering a sense of belonging in a supportive environment. It's not just a safe space for participation, it sends a clear message to the LGBTQIA+ community that they are equally valued.”

LGBTQIA+ pickleball sessions run at St Paul's Swim and Sports Centre, Gillburn Road, Dundee every Thursday from 7 – 8pm, enquiries can be made via email: dundeedeuces@gmail.com.

Reflecting on her visits to these two inclusion sessions facilitated in community access settings, Sandra is keen to emphasise that Pickleball Scotland is committed to supporting more inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people to participate in pickleball. She said: “The activities being organised by ANGUSalive and the Dundee Deuces club are providing safe, fun, accessible and inclusive spaces. It's great to see more partnership work happening and positive that so many LGBTIQ+ people are accessing, enjoying and excelling at pickleball.”

Well done to Ross and Wesley for their efforts to promote inclusive pickleball activities and for helping to challenge discrimination and create increased opportunities for equality and diversity. We hope LGBTQI+ people all across the country will feel inspired to either join or start a pickleball group.

Resources

For more information about:

LEAP Sports Scotland: https://leapsports.org/

sportscotland LGBTQIA+ Inclusion and Sport Training: https://sportscotland.org.uk/