New Coaching Scheme for BAME Community

British Weight Lifting is delighted to announce that it has created a new scholarship scheme to encourage more people from BAME communities to move into coaching roles within weightlifting. 12 places will be available to support individuals to complete a Level 1 and 2 Coaching qualification to enable them to become a licensed BWL Coach, free of charge.

As an organisation we continue to strive for equality - we are proud of the diversity of our community and we will continue to endeavour for better representation for all. This includes making sure that we continue to listen and learn and take the appropriate steps to ensure we come together as one team to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Following our support of the Black Lives Matters campaign, we have recently spent time listening to some of our members who have reached out to us to ask what actions we are taking to improve our understanding of the impact racism has in the UK on our members, lifters, volunteers and staff and how we can help address injustice and continue to represent a diverse community.  

We hope that this new scholarship scheme will help to demonstrate our commitment to equality and enable a greater number of individuals from a BAME background to undertake the training to become a qualified coach and help to drive forward the sport of weightlifting.

Ashley Metcalfe, BWL CEO commented “BWL, like many across the country, are looking how we can do more to better support all areas of our membership. Following recent discussions, we are determined not just to listen and learn but to make on-going meaningful change.

We have some outstanding young lifters from really diverse backgrounds and I hope this opportunity can encourage the introduction of a new set of talented coaches to strengthen our sport and enrich the lives of our lifters.”  

If you would like to apply for the scheme, please send us details of why you think you should be awarded a scholarship and how you feel this would benefit your club and/or community.  Please send an email to enquiries@britishweightlifting.org.  The closing date for receipt of applications is 24 July 2020.