SSS Launch New Equality Action Plan

Scottish Student Sport is proud to launch its new Equality Action Plan, setting out our renewed commitment to creating a sector where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and belong.

Developed through extensive engagement with our members, partners, students and volunteers, the plan marks an important step forward in how SSS will champion equality across the Scottish tertiary education sport sector. Rather than viewing equality as a standalone piece of work, the Action Plan embeds inclusion across everything we do – from leadership and governance to participation, workforce development, events and partnerships.

Built around the principles of the Moving to Inclusion framework, the plan focuses on creating meaningful, measurable change through collaboration, accountability and continual learning. It recognises that while progress has been made, there remains more to do to ensure that every student can experience the benefits of sport and physical activity without barriers. The wider sport sector is increasingly emphasising measurable inclusion outcomes and accountability, reflecting a broader shift towards action rather than intention.

Commenting, Head of Development Jordan Dawson said:

“Our new Equality Action Plan has been about listening, learning and being honest with ourselves about where we can do better to create actionable difference. Our Equality Action Group has led the way on challenging our thinking and contributing their own intentions for change.

“This plan is all about turning those good intentions into action and working together with our members and partners to make student sport a place where everyone feels they belong, can take part and has the opportunity to thrive.”

The Action Plan is underpinned by four priority areas:

• Women and Girls
• Disability
• LGBTQ+
• Race and Ethnicity

These themes provide focus for our work while recognising that equality is intersectional and that creating inclusive environments benefits everyone involved in student sport.

A New Equality Action Group

Alongside the launch of the Action Plan, SSS has established a refreshed Equality Action Group, bringing together, practitioners and sector experts to help guide, challenge and support the delivery of the plan. The Group will play a key role in ensuring that the voices and experiences of our membership continue to shape the direction of this work.

The Group will continue to be chaired by Wayin Hatton, who said:

“This Equality Action Plan represents an important step forward. It brings together our ambition with clear areas of focus and accountability, and sets out how we will continue to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of our work.

“I look forward to the progress we will make together, and to the impact this will have across our community and the wider sector.”

The publication of the Action Plan is not the end of a process – it is the beginning of one.

Throughout the lifetime of the plan we will regularly review our progress, publish updates on actions, celebrate successes and be open about the challenges we encounter. We recognise that meaningful change takes time, partnership and a willingness to learn, and we are committed to ensuring this remains a living document rather than one that sits on a shelf.

We invite all members, partners and students to engage with the Action Plan, contribute to its delivery and work with us to build a student sport sector where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

View our Equality Action Plan

Our work and progress will be tracked on our dedicated Equality Action Group webpage – launched as part of a refresh of our website’s Development section to better reflect the work we do.