Welcome to the 1st SEMSA Newsletter!

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1 Issue 1 Welcome to the 1st SEMSA Newsletter! Welcome to the very first newsletter from Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association (SEMSA). This is a new bi monthly publication prepared by SEMSA, which will help to keep our partners, sponsors and friends up-to-date with our current work, events and news. In this issue we will inform you of SEMSA s role within the local community. We will also update you on the Scottish Women s Active Pathways Project, one of the projects that SEMSA has recently set up. This project is being co-ordinated by SEMSA s Women s Sports Development Officer, Jaz Sandhu. Our next issue will be out in February 2008 and in the meantime we look forward to hearing from you with comments or suggestions on how we can improve our newsletter to better meet your needs. You can contact SEMSA via Jaz Sandhu, by mail, telephone or , her details can be found at the bottom of this GET FIT AND KEEP FIT WITH SEMSA! Newsletter Contents About SEMSA SWAP Project SWAP in 2008 Summer Academy UKAC Produced in association with Contact Jaz Sandhu c/o GARA, 30 Bell Street Glasgow, G1 1LG Tel: or jaz@semsa.org.uk

About The Scottish Asian Sports Association (SASA) was established in 1990 to create and provide culturally sensitive sporting opportunities for the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in

The lack of opportunities and provision were key factors in the formation of SASA which aimed to create accessible and enjoyable pastimes for all BME communities.

SEMSA has moved to become a more strategic and inclusive organisation in removing barriers which can prevent BME communities from participating in sport and physical activity.

2 About The Scottish Asian Sports Association (SASA) was established in 1990 to create and provide culturally sensitive sporting opportunities for the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Glasgow. The original founders of SASA were a group of concerned but motivated individuals from the communities in Glasgow. The lack of opportunities and provision were key factors in the formation of SASA which aimed to create accessible and enjoyable pastimes for all BME communities. SASA was later relaunched to become SEMSA. SEMSA has moved to become a more strategic and inclusive organisation in removing barriers which can prevent BME communities from participating in sport and physical activity. This inclusiveness allows Scotland's new and indigenous communities to work towards creating an equal playing field for all communities at both an operational and strategic level. SEMSA recognises the need to challenge and tackle inequality, racism and discrimination in the field of sport as a core element of its work. SEMSA is the only national sports organisation run by and for BME communities. The organisation depends on both committed volunteers and individuals (many of whom are young people from the BME communities in Glasgow) to organise and deliver many of the programmes. Over the years, the organisation has established a range of programmes and initiatives such as the SASA Football Programme, coaching/capacity building programmes, badminton programmes and national football and badminton competitions. Some of the key areas SEMSA has not only been involved in but has also initiated include : UK Asian Football Championships (UKAC), Glasgow wide BME sports events, annual Summer Academies, development of a BME equalities post in Glasgow City Council, links to new communities and training programme development.

SWAP Project The Scottish Women s Active Pathways Project (SWAP) was launched on Saturday 17 th November 2007 at the

The project will target young black minority ethnic (BME) women aged 17-24 and will raise awareness of the importance of

This will be made possible with the support of the major partners: SEMSA; Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance (GARA); Culture &

were invited to attend and participate in the launch including national sports bodies, community groups, places of worship

Speeches were delivered by SEMSA s President, Dilawer Singh, Councillor Irfan Rabbani, Jotie Purba (Western Tennis Club),

The young women had prepared speeches for the day and talked about their motivation for becoming involved in sport.

The activities included football; yoga; aerobics; self defence and belly dancing.

of enjoyment. Following this a question and answer session was held, which proved to be very informative.

c t. Once developed, the project will allow young BME women to access sport and physical activity which is both culturally

3 SWAP Project The Scottish Women s Active Pathways Project (SWAP) was launched on Saturday 17 th November 2007 at the Gorbals Leisure Centre. The project will target young black minority ethnic (BME) women aged and will raise awareness of the importance of sport and physical activity amongst BME communities. This will be made possible with the support of the major partners: SEMSA; Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance (GARA); Culture & Sport Glasgow; Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS; Glasgow City Council Education and the Big Lottery Fund Various organisations were invited to attend and participate in the launch including national sports bodies, community groups, places of worship and the community as a whole. Speeches were delivered by SEMSA s President, Dilawer Singh, Councillor Irfan Rabbani, Jotie Purba (Western Tennis Club), Kanwal Butt (OlderHill High School under 16s, Manchester) and Aminah Din (Glasgow Ansar). The young women had prepared speeches for the day and talked about their motivation for becoming involved in sport. As part of the launch, women that attended had the opportunity to experience a variety of activities. The activities included football; yoga; aerobics; self defence and belly dancing. Although many of the women that participated in the taster activities were of a beginner level, they showed positive signs of enjoyment. Following this a question and answer session was held, which proved to be very informative. This session gave the women a chance to express t h e i r v i e w s o f t h e e v e n t a n d t h e o v e r a l l p r o j e c t. Once developed, the project will allow young BME women to access sport and physical activity which is both culturally and religiously conducive to their needs, at a variety of locations across the city. In addition to this service, SEMSA will address the issue of under representation of young BME women in the health and fitness sector. It is hoped that once a programme of activities has been developed it will allow the young women involved to have greater access to job opportunities, volunteering and coaching. Furthermore, SEMSA would hope to develop some coaching and volunteering opportunities. Empowering Black Women Through Sport

SWAP in 2008! In 2008, make your new year s resolution to get fit and keep fit by joining one of SEMSA s groups. Bring your friends or make new friends and work together towards a healthier lifestyle!

The Jogging Network will meet every Wednesday from 30th January 2008 for 10 weeks at the PDA Centre. The network will be open to all BME women aged 17-24 and women of all levels are welcome.

4 SWAP in 2008! In 2008, make your new year s resolution to get fit and keep fit by joining one of SEMSA s groups. Bring your friends or make new friends and work together towards a healthier lifestyle!!!! Jogging Network In January, SEMSA, in partnership with Pollokshields Development Agency (PDA) and Jog Scotland will launch the Pollokshields Beginners Jogging Network. The Jogging Network will meet every Wednesday from 30th January 2008 for 10 weeks at the PDA Centre. The network will be open to all BME women aged and women of all levels are welcome. To register for the event contact Jaz Sandhu on or jaz@semsa.org.uk. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN COACHING, PARTICIPATING OR VOLUNTEERING IN: Women s Football? Netball? Aerobics? Martial Arts? Swimming? Outdoor Activities? SEMSA can help you and your friends set up activities in your area. Why don t you give Jaz a call on or jaz@semsa.org.uk and find out some more...

Summer Academy The aim of the SEMSA Summer Academy is to provide sporting opportunities for young BME people aged 5-16, that feel excluded from mainstream provision.

The 2007 programme, held at Lochinch Police Club proved, once again, to be a huge success.

This year s programme included: cricket, football, rugby and tennis.

integration to other services; improve communication skills and social interaction skills; encourage personal and social development of the young people; have fun.

5 Summer Academy The aim of the SEMSA Summer Academy is to provide sporting opportunities for young BME people aged 5-16, that feel excluded from mainstream provision. As SEMSA is a voluntary organisation, support from organisations such as GCC and Strathclyde Police are vital to its success. The 2007 programme, held at Lochinch Police Club proved, once again, to be a huge success. SEMSA works to ensure a diverse sports programme is offered, which enables young people to get involved in sports they might not normally engage in. This year s programme included: cricket, football, rugby and tennis. Not only is SEMSA successful in engaging many young people within sport but is also able to: provide a safe environment free of judgement; combat isolation; create the opportunity for integration to other services; improve communication skills and social interaction skills; encourage personal and social development of the young people; have fun. SEMSA has been working towards building on the success of its Summer Academies by developing a year long programme. A large number of young people between the ages of 6-10 attend the summer programmes and from this we are working to create a pathway programme from the Summer Academies. The success of any sport lies in its ability to develop its youth, being able to intervene at a young age and develop its potential. This need is stronger than ever in the BME communities in Scotland giving these young people a sense of belonging and direction.

The event attracts the seven best Asian football teams from across England and one team representing Scotland.

The UKAC helps to break down stereotypes and the negative and inaccurate perception that Asians cannot play football.

In 2007, the event attracted a large number of young people from bot h t he BM E and indigenous c omm unit i es.

6 UK Asian Football Championships The UK Asian Football Championships (UKAC) is now in its ninth year and is the highest profile Asian football tournament in the UK. The event has been established to showcase the talent within the Asian community in the arena of football. The event attracts the seven best Asian football teams from across England and one team representing Scotland. The event acts as a means to bring together people from all communities in Glasgow in a sporting arena. The UKAC helps to break down stereotypes and the negative and inaccurate perception that Asians cannot play football. The fundamental aims of the championship when initiated in 1999 still ring true today, in terms of breaking down the barriers Asian footballers may face in the mainstream game. In 2007, the event attracted a large number of young people from bot h t he BM E and indigenous c omm unit i es. By usi ng a popular sport such as football, awareness was raised in young people across Scotland that racism, in all forms, is unacceptable. The eight teams were drawn into two groups of four and each team played in a round robin tournament within each group. Preliminary games were played at Glasgow Green Football Centre on Friday 7th September and Saturday 8th September The winner of each group proceeded to the final at Celtic Park on Sunday 9 September This year s finalists were GSA and Blackburn United. Chances came and went for both sides during the match but GSA proved to be the stronger side by winning on penalties. In 2008, SEMSA will be marking the 10th anniversary of the UK Asian Championships, so keep a look out for future publications for more details on the activities surrounding this event.

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