Governing white apathy in university sport

Rationale/purpose This study analyses how universities strategically and operationally consider racialised experiences of staff and students employed to deliver sport and physical activity. Methodology Twenty-seven staff were interviewed across five university research sites. Participants included Directors of Sport, Heads of Academic Schools, and, where available, Pro-Vice Chancellors. Coaches, team managers, and other sport leaders from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds were recruited via social networks, social media, and direct emails. Findings Using Critical Race Theory, two themes concerning “Governing white apathy” were developed from the data analysis: “Delegated Responsibility” and “On the Periphery.” Practical implications Dedicated policies and practices positioning equity and inclusion as central operational priorities were absent. Systematic monitoring and procedures to seek social justice for adverse experiences were lacking. Staff and student voices were largely dependent on the approachability of captains and senior sport leads. Microaggressions and racial discrimination were normalised experiences for coaches, and seeking social justice required robust evidence, which is rarely available in cases of racism. Research contribution This study provides the first insight into the reproduction of Whiteness within the provision of sport and physical activity in UK universities.

Citation

Ward, G., Hill, J., Hardman, A., Edwards, L., Scott, D., Jones, L.A. & Richards, R. (2026) Governing white apathy in university sport. Managing Sport and Leisure, DOI: 10.1080/23750472.2025.2606876

Type

Journal article

Language

en

Description

© 2026 The Authors. Published by Taylor & Francis. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2025.2606876

ISSN

2375-0472

EISSN

2375-0480

Collections

Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing