Colours of our Scarves

Promoting Equality, Inclusion, and Respect in Scottish Sport

 

Colours of our Scarves is a long-standing anti-discrimination and education programme committed to promoting equality, inclusion, and respect within Scottish sport and wider society.

 

Since 2013, we’ve worked with sports clubs, schools, colleges, and organisations across Scotland. Our mission is simple: to make sport a better place for everyone—regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, or disability.

 

 

Why This Work Matters

 

Sport doesn’t exist in isolation—it reflects our society. And when our society experiences division, sport often becomes a mirror of that.

 

Sectarianism, in particular, has deep historical roots in Scotland. Football—Scotland’s most popular sport—has long been a site where these divisions surface. While most fans and players reject hate, sectarian chants, offensive symbols, and online abuse continue to appear with troubling frequency.

 

We’ve also seen a rise in racist abuse toward players, especially online, and homophobic chants in stadiums. The problem isn’t new—but it persists. And it needs to be tackled head-on.

 

 

The Evidence

 

• 88% of respondents in the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey believe football contributes to sectarianism in Scotland. Over half say it is the main cause.

• In 2013–14, 63% of religiously aggravated charges involved behaviour offensive to Catholicism, and 29% targeted Protestantism.

• According to a 2021 BBC Scotland report, racist abuse was reported in every tier of the professional game over the preceding two seasons.

• LGBTQ+ groups like Proud Jags and LGBT Hearts continue to highlight ongoing homophobia at matches, despite recent progress.

 

While football remains the focal point, these issues extend across sports and reflect broader societal challenges. Education is vital to breaking the cycle.

 

 

What We Do

 

Now in its 11th year, Colours of our Scarves continues to deliver:

 

• Tailored educational workshops

• Focus groups

• Mentoring programmes

 

…for players, coaches, volunteers, and organisers.

 

Each session is tailored to the needs of the group. We explore what discrimination looks like, how it happens, and—most importantly—what we can do to stop it, using real stories and lived experiences.

 

 

The Impact

 

Participants leave with:

 

• Practical tools to identify and challenge discrimination

• Confidence to speak up—on the pitch and beyond

• A stronger understanding of inclusion and shared responsibility

 

As sports facilitators, we carry legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities, and a duty of care. Being informed is not optional—it’s essential.

 

 

Free Workshops Available

 

Thanks to funding from the Scottish Government, we currently offer our sessions free of charge to:

 

• Sports clubs

• Schools of Football and Sport

• Universities & Colleges

• Active Schools coordinators

• Community organisations

 

 

Let’s Work Together

 

If you’d like to partner with us, or arrange a visit from one of our staff to deliver a session at your club, educational institution, or organisation—get in touch.

 

We’re here to help.