equality campaign body Sporting Equals has launched a new insight series with the hope of making sport more inclusive for people from ethnic backgrounds.

Working with the Department of Sociology at the University of Leicester, the organisation initially looked at young (16-25) females from Asian Pakistani backgrounds using focus group techniques and one-to-one interviews to find out what would motivate them to take part in sport.

According to Sporting Equals’ insight, females from this particular demographic background face “employment and economic barriers” alongside cultural barriers which “impact on leisure and lifestyle choice”.

The study also found that within households sport was generally viewed as a pastime for males rather than females with “very little support” given to women and girls to engage in sport.

Key figures in sports provision, the study found, need to “improve local networks” and improve communication with diverse demographics.

Arun Kang, chief executive of Sporting Equals, said the new insight series is expected to shine a light on “key factors preventing and motivating black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups entering into sport and physical activity”.

“It is especially important to hear the voices of people who are not regarded as ‘typical’ candidates for sporting activity and who are often missed by sporting governing bodies and local provider,” added Kang.

“These insights add to our patchy knowledge and they will help immeasurably in devising effective policy which is both inclusive and popular.”