Analysing the effect organisations such as the ‘Kick it out’ campaign have upon tackling racial discrimination in grassroots football?
by Harvey Brown
1. The semi-structured format of the focus group ensures that there is a heavy reliance upon assisted discussion, it is therefore vital that the researcher is at the appropriate skill level in order to facilitate the process efficiently with the ability to guide discussion away from irrelevant information causing the conversation to depart from the research aims and questions (Krueger, 2014).
2. Proposed Research Design
3. Ethical Considerations
3.1. It is well document that researching ethnic inequalities and struggles presents significant conceptual and methodological challenges, when referring to potential stimulants of these problems arising it is suggested that the mere identification of ‘visible’ minority groups implies labelling them as deviant and can contribute to an enhancement in feelings of division and disadvantage (Ballard, 1997). In order to combat and limit the opportunity for this phenomenon to become present amongst the participants, throughout the process ‘clear conceptualisations , careful measurement, strategic sampling, rigorous analyses and accurate representation’ should provide a degree of social scientific rigour and protection from discrimination (Salway et.al,2009)
3.1.1. Due to the potential high levels of sensitivity surrounding the subject matter, standard procedures involving anonymisation of individuals , use of participation information sheets and obtaining informed consent will be followed in regulatory form.
3.1.2. During the entire research process the investigation will comply with UCLAN’s (2018) Ethical Principles in order to protect the interests of both participants and researchers.
4. Potential Limitations
5. The research aims in order to address the question are as following -
6. Drawing upon the key associated concepts of intersectionality and racial-motivated hegemony, the following research question will be investigated …
7. Due to the preliminary of the investigation being based upon the experiences and sporting biographies of individuals based within racial minorities, the subsequent research would be favourable in adopting a qualitative approach.
7.1. “Qualitative research focuses in understanding a research query as a humanistic or idealistic approach with an individual’s beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behaviours, and interactions understood through non-numerical data” (Kalra et al., 2013)
8. Due to previous social constructs and climates these individuals had become part of a neglected group in research on sport and participation, therefore the use of quantitative based approaches was appropriate in order to ‘access the perspectives and experiences of oppressed groups lacking the power to make their voices heard through traditional academic discourse’ (Nind, 2008, p.5).
9. In an attempt to generate the required in depth qualitative data surrounding the racial minorities experiences in grassroots football, a semi-structured focus group interview involving approximately 10-12 participants who have a background in participating, coaching or officiating at this level, is deemed to be the most appropriate method. This flexible structure in which the interviewer responds practically towards the answers received (Gratton and Jones, 2004) enables a deeper understanding of the individual’s perspectives and will also align with the research aims and focus (Chen & Ennis, 2012).
10. Although it would be desirable to recruit participants originating from different geographical locations across the country, the spread of the individuals and therefore potential transport disruptions, restricts the study to the North-west of England, taking place in the most convenient place for all (Smith & Dixon, 2018). Participants for the focus group will be recruited by disseminating details of the project via the relevant County FAs across the North-west and through social media campaigns targeting individuals from racial minority groups who believe they have relevant and useful input surrounding the subject matter.
11. Due to the researchers lack of shared biological and ethical characteristics with the desired focus group, strategies must be developed in order for the ‘outside reader’ to develop a ‘genuine and respectful enquiry’ (Bridges, 2001), avoiding the potential for limited and restricted feedback due to lack of trust or offence taken during the interview process.
12. Although the format of the focus group prevents the opportunity for a nominal group process, another potential limitation could arise due to the development of an outspoken individual or group dominating the discussion throughout the process. Whilst differing personality traits and fear of talking around the sensitive subject matter in front of others must be accounted for, the presence of a dominant figure could lead to a heavily biased or one-sided perspective, it is again therefore the role of the researcher to create a positive and comfortable environment in order to allow everyone an opportunity of speech (Ratnapalan & Hilliard, 2002).
13. The lack of geographical expansion and the participation selection system may cause the results of the study to become harder to generalize when upscaling towards the larger population (Mansell et al., 2004).
14. The large volume of qualitative data received during the focus group may cause complications when attempting to analyse the information at a later date (Leung & Savithiri, 2009).
15. The very few investigations in the past surrounding this subject area have been criticized due to the lack of a precise definition of anti-racism in which they are attempting to promote (Wrench and Solomos, 1993; Miles, 1994; Rattansi,1994).
16. Upon a lower level of the game, Kick It Out's Grassroots Activity Fund aims to encourage and support grassroots events or initiatives throughout the country which celebrate equality and diversity in football. Other organisations such as Show Racism the Red Card, works in schools and other educational settings throughout the UK to offer a whole range of educational training, workshops, resources and activities, all designed to educate young people and adults about the causes and the consequences of racism (n.d.).
17. Despite the evidence of this racism at grassroots level, the reaction of county football associations has been criticised by a number of bodies for being reluctant to punish racist clubs or players in their localities (Football Task Force, 1998)
18. Troy Townsend, Kick It Out’s development officer, labelled grassroots football in the UK as the “wild, wild west” in regards to the level of discrimination that takes place at that level (2019)
19. Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioural traits corresponding to physical appearance and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another (Kuper, 2004).
20. 62% of these reports were based upon allegations of racism (Kick it Out,2018)
21. In the UK, more than half of fans have witnessed racist abuse (50%), but less than half would know how to report it (40%). (Kick It Out,2018)
22. In their most recent report, statistic show that the number of cases in regard to discrimination offences rose by 32% across all levels of the game (Kick it Out,2018)
23. The Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign demonstrated its continued commitment to equality and diversity, using the power and popularity of the League to oppose racism in football. (Premier League,2019)
24. Over recent years, data collected from one of the UK’s leading anti-discrimination organizations, ‘Kick it out’ has shown that levels of discrimination occurring in both professional and grassroots football is increasing upon a year-by-year basis and continuing to cast a shadow over the proclaimed ‘beautiful game’ (Kick It Out,2018).
25. Research Question and Aims
26. Review of Literature
27. Background and Context
28. Exploring the individual's opinion and experiences on the current preventative measures put in place by the organization.
29. Investigate the impact football can have upon the lives of racial minority groups.
30. Critically analyse the barriers and challenges currently faced by racial minorities when accessing football opportunities and participating at a grassroot level.
31. Analysing the effect organisations such as the ‘Kick it out’ campaign have upon tackling racial discrimination in grassroots football?
32. Despite incidents of racism at a grassroots level tending to occur more frequently, whilst being significantly enhanced in terms of violence and crudity then that witnessed at a professional stage, there has been comparatively less media attention and academic study surrounding this environment (Garland & Rowe, 2001)
32.1. Although there has been several investigations into the extent of racism in English football (McArdle and Lewis,1997; Garland and Rowe,1999), there has been little in the way of an academic analysis of the various anti-discrimination stratergies and campaigns
33. Of the many nuanced and pernicious forms of racism, one of the most obvious and commonly reported forms of racism in sport, racial abuse, has been described as a kind of dehumanizing process by Gardiner (2003), as those who are its target are simultaneously constructed and objectified due to beliefs and practices.
34. Although it is suggested that football has the ability to ‘bring different cultures together’ (Fleming & Tomlinson,1995), new forms of racism have emerged within the contemporary society (Barker 1981; Gilroy 1992; Mason 1995; 2000) suggesting that racism is not just a passing phenomenon as it constantly mutates.
35. Despite sufficient evidence to suggest that we live in a fundamentally racist and unequal society where processes systematically disenfranchise and limit the potential of racial minorities (Hylton, 2009), Long (2000) suggests that there is a ‘denial of racism’ within the sport.
