Welcome to the latest Sport Edition of Portal Connect!
In this Black History Month inspired edition, we’re shining a light on the power of sport to inspire, educate and bring people together.
We sit down with Dean Pymble from Show Racism the Red Card to talk about the organisation’s incredible work in using sport as a platform for equality and inclusion.
We also share a thought-provoking piece from the Co-founder of the Black Swimming Association,
Croeso i Portal Connect... Making Waves for Water Safety!
Seren Jones, exploring why water safety education is so vital and how community partnerships are helping to save lives.
You’ll also find a recap of our recent Portal Promise event, where collaboration and shared learning took centre stage, and a personal reflection from a mentee on the FAW’s PAWB Mentoring Programme, supported by our very own Shawn Staples.
So, whether you’re passionate about equality in sport, inspired by community impact, or simply enjoy celebrating positive stories of growth and collaboration, this edition is for you.
Through research, education, and community-led programmes, the Black Swimming Association (BSA) is breaking barriers and saving lives - one lesson at a time. Here's what Seren Jones, BSA co-founder has to say...
Cast your mind back to school. Primary school, to be exact. To the odd ‘special’ occasion that maybe occurred once a term, if that, where a visitor in a uniform would be introduced to speak in front of the school during the assembly.
Usually a man, rarely a woman, who worked in the emergency services. The visitor would alternate between working for the fire department and the police, and their message was always clear:
They would warn you and your peers of potential dangers. They would tell you what to do if you were approached by a stranger; or what to do if your home was on fire. They would tell you about fire exits, fire extinguishers and explain the drop and roll method.
They would tell you what number to dial if you find yourself in an emergency, and who to ask for when the operator picks up. There was a national strategy, which was effectively executed and delivered in primary schools across the UK. Its message was so simple and straightforward, that it stayed with so many of us, as we look back as adults today.
But back then, there was one potential danger that felt as though it was never the focus of these presentations. And even as the years passed; as primary school became secondary school, and secondary school became college, sixth form, and even university, this danger was kept silent. It was not seen, it was not heard, and in the worst instances it was deadly.
I’m talking about water and more broadly water safety. A topic that - despite the raise in awareness in recent years - is not talked about enough. Not in our schools and institutions, not in our swimming clubs nor our homes. While more parents are understanding the importance of speaking to their children about the dangers of the internet, cyber bullying, substance abuse and relationships, water safety is too often excluded from the conversation.
It’s no wonder then that so many adults across the UK - regardless of race, religion and background - have little to no water safety knowledge. That’s where we come in.
We
are the Black Swimming Association or the BSA. Our charity was set up five years ago with a clear mission: to promote education around water safety and drowning prevention, especially in Black and Brown communities, where data shows the risk of drowning is higher.
Our work is divided into two main branches. First, there’s the Research and Insights team.
The department commissions pioneering research projects, which highlight the inequity that exists when it comes to water safety knowledge and aquatic participation in Black and Brown communities across the UK. They emphasise the challenges and obstacles we face when it comes to working with aquatically disengaged and disenfranchised communities. Physiological projects like Float and adult social projects like #OurSwimStory bring to light the attitudes, behaviours and relationships people in these communities have with swimming, water and water safety. These projects’ findings confirm that water safety education and the work of the BSA is absolutely necessary to help prevent the on average 400 accidental drownings that occur every single year across the UK.
Then there’s the Programmes and Delivery team. A department, which curates bespoke water safety programmes across London and South Wales. Our flagship programme, Together We Can™ or TWC™, is a free, five week, pool-based course that acts as a water safety and water familiarisation experience for adults with little to no water safety knowledge, as well as those who struggle with aquaphobia.
These sessions are all about letting go of fears and being safe in and around water. We focus on live-saving skills, like floating on your back while addressing that everyone floats differently due to their body composition. We educate about the dangers of open water, like cold water shock. We inform by teaching our Water Safety Code, a series of actions to be taken when one finds themselves or a loved one in danger in the water. We even discuss the importance of knowing who to ask for when dialling 999 in an emergency situation (it’s either the coastguard or fire service depending on where you are in the country.) Not only does TWC™ empower its participants to engage in aquatics by familiarising them with their local leisure centres, it equips them with vital lifesaving skills and water safety knowledge that they pass on to their family, friends and loved ones.
But despite our work, much more needs to be done to address the lack of water safety knowledge that exists on a macro level across the U.K. Water safety is a life-saving skill that needs mainstream backing and support. Water safety needs to be present in conversations at schools, workplaces, clubs and around the dinner table. Because at the end of the day - regardless of your background, your hometown and your swimming ability - anyone can drown but no one should.
Seren Jones, BSA Co-founder
FIND OUT MORE:
To find out more about our work, or if you’d like to partner with us or make a donation, visit our website: www.thebsa.co.uk
SRtRC: An Interview with Dean Pymble
As part of Black History Month, we were delighted to spend a morning with Dean Pymble, Campaign Manager for Show Racism the Red Card (Wales).
For almost 30 years, the organisation has worked tirelessly to challenge prejudice and discrimination through the power of education and sport, engaging with over 1.4 million people across schools, workplaces and communities.
In this interview, we explore the charity’s mission, the impact of their work across Wales, and how sport continues to play a vital role in inspiring change, promoting allyship, and building a society free from racism.
About the Organisation
Q. For anyone unfamiliar with Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC), can you tell us a bit about the charity and its mission here in Wales?
A. Of course! SRtRC is an anti-racism education charity, and our mission is to build a society free from racism. We work towards this by empowering role models across sport, communities and organisations. Through education, we share our anti-racism message and help dismantle racism, one conversation and learning opportunity at a time.
Q. What does a typical week look like for you and your team (from educational settings to community or corporate sessions)?
A. It really varies from week to week. In schools, we run short-term interventions that might include twilight sessions for teachers or half-day workshops with a single class. These sessions explore what racism looks like, how pupils can be actively antiracist, and how to challenge stereotypes and become genuine allies.
For teachers, our sessions often focus on recognising, recording, and reporting racist incidents,
understanding key terminology, and exploring how to build diversity and representation into the curriculum. We also look at how to ensure the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are meaningfully woven throughout teaching and learning.
We also deliver longer-term programmes, such as our Young Ambassadors initiative, pupil-led projects that explore what racism and anti-racism look like in their school. Together, we develop actions to embed meaningful change, supported by senior leadership teams.
When it comes to adult learning, our work is just as varied. We’ve partnered with theatre companies, board members, and national governing bodies within sport, and anyone committed to creating inclusive environments. Our tutors travel across Wales, working across sectors to help organisations embed an anti-racism ethos into every decision, policy, and cultural practice.
Q. How does Show Racism the Red Card use the power of sport to help challenge prejudice and discrimination?
A. So, sport is massively important to us. Next year marks our 30th anniversary, and the charity was actually founded as a result of a negative experience. Our founder, Shaka Hislop, was filling his car with petrol when he heard a commotion in the distance and soon realised that racist language was being thrown towards him because he was black.
As the group came closer, they realised who he was, a goalkeeper for their favourite team, Newcastle United and then asked for his autograph.
He politely declined, but on his way home, he reflected on what had happened. They hadn’t seen him as a Black man, they’d seen him as a professional footballer, someone they placed on a pedestal. That moment inspired him to think about how he could challenge and tackle racism, changing people's perceptions through education and sport.
Soon after, he began visiting schools alongside our CEO, Ged Grebby, John Beresford, and other Newcastle United players, using their platform as professional footballers to talk openly about racism.
Fast forward thirty years, and we’re now involved in a wide range of sports, not just football, using positive role models that young people and adults look up to as a way of sharing our message and building an understanding of how racism looks.
Over those three decades, we’ve engaged with more than 1.4 million people through our education programmes. Sport continues to be a powerful tool and a massive hook to engage people, bring communities together and open up conversations. We work within football clubs across Scotland, England, and Wales, and we're experiencing firsthand that the more we can do within sports, the better.
Education and Impact
Q. You deliver anti-racism workshops to around 18,000 pupils a year, what kind of impact do you see in those classroom sessions?
A. We see a variety of different impacts within schools. One of the most powerful outcomes is helping pupils understand what it means to be an active ally, looking at how they can support a friend or classmate who has been targeted by racism.
Our workshops also look at unpicking stereotypes and encouraging young people to reflect on their own opinions and the narratives they see in the media, especially at the moment, around racism and anti-immigration rhetoric. We help pupils to develop those critical thinking skills so they can unpick and question what they’re seeing, understand the difference between misinformation and disinformation, and identify what’s actually true. That ability to think critically is key to tackling racism and challenging false narratives that often spread through communities and social media.
Some of the biggest impacts we see are pupils growing in confidence to speak up and challenge racism, whether that’s addressing language, behaviour, or actions that aren’t acceptable. Or perhaps looking at their curriculum and asking, “Who’s missing? Whose stories aren’t being told, and why?”
Ultimately, we’re supporting young people to build the skills to critically reflect, support others, and challenge not only overt racism but also the more subtle forms, such as exclusion and lack of representation.
Q. What are some of the most common questions or misconceptions young people have when discussing race and equality?
A. The big questions at the moment revolve around the anti-immigration rhetoric we’re seeing across the political landscape and on social media. It’s something that’s often used to divide communities and individuals based on their immigration status, and it’s frequently wrapped up in wider issues such as Islamophobia and antisemitism.
So, many of the questions we get at the moment from young people are around immigration, what it actually means, what’s legal or illegal. We help them understand that people themselves aren’t illegal, but that there are legal and illegal routes into a country. It’s important to explain that everyone has the right to legally seek sanctuary wherever they choose.
We also talk a lot about terminology, helping pupils understand appropriate language, what they might hear in their communities, and how they can effectively challenge it. Much of our focus is on helping young people move from being non-racist to actively anti-racist and understanding what that looks like in practice.
So right now, a lot of our conversations are around breaking down misinformation and the antiimmigration messages young people are hearing and seeing online and within their communities.
Q. How do you measure success or long-term change after your workshops and campaigns?
A. Much of our measurement focuses on changes in behaviour and confidence. As I mentioned earlier, one of the key indicators is people feeling confident to challenge racism, whether that’s calling out an individual comment or action, reviewing a policy or practice, or identifying where stories and perspectives are missing from the curriculum.
For our longer-term programmes, such as our Young Ambassadors work, we look at how the actions pupils create are embedded within their schools. This might start with surveys and conversations about what racism looks like in their setting, and then developing actions to make positive change. It’s about empowering pupils to realise that their voices matter, that they can be heard and that they have the power to create change. These young people are our leaders now, as well as our leaders of the future.
When working with adults, the focus shifts to embedding cultural change across organisations, which isn’t easy and takes time. It’s about more than updating policies or procedures; it’s about transforming behaviours and attitudes day to day. We encourage workplaces to develop an open challenge culture, where people feel able to speak up and view feedback as something constructive rather than confrontational.
We often say that challenging is a gift, because by challenging someone, you’re offering them the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour, understand how it might affect others, and make positive changes. It’s about changing behaviour, not judging individuals, and creating genuinely inclusive workplaces.
FIND OUT MORE:
To find out more about SRtRC Wales, whether through sponsorship, funding opportunities, or booking workshop sessions, head over to: www.theredcard.org/wales
A huge thank you (Diolch o galon) to Dean for his time, the insightful conversations, and the incredible work he and the team at SRtRC do across Wales and beyond.
Read on to discover the importance of Black History Month to Dean and the whole team at SRtRC...
Black History Month...
Q. What does Black History Month mean to you and to the work of SRtRC?
A. Black History Month is really, really important. We know there’s been a lack of positive representation and visibility of people from Black heritage in many areas of society. I didn’t see it myself when I was growing up. It’s so important for young people to see themselves and people different from them represented in what they learn and experience.
Here in Wales, we’re fortunate that the contributions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities should now be woven throughout every area of learning. We’re supporting schools and organisations to make that a reality. But it’s not just for young people, for adults too, seeing themselves reflected positively and understanding how our communities and society have been shaped by Black contributions across Wales is vital.
Black people have been part of Welsh history for hundreds of years. Learning about those stories, both the positive and the negative, helps ensure we don’t repeat past mistakes. It also helps us appreciate how those experiences have contributed to the multicultural Wales that is thriving today.
We would like to push for a “Black 365” approach, where Black history is represented and recognised all year round. Having said that, having a dedicated month provides an important platform and tool for organisations to share positive stories and celebrate the many contributions of Black people across Wales.
Q. How can schools and workplaces go beyond Black History Month to make inclusion and antiracism part of their everyday culture?
A. As an anti-racism educational organisation, we always say that education is key, education can change the world. Ensuring that teachers have the skills, experience and confidence to teach Black history positively throughout the curriculum, all year round, is essential.
Working with organisations like ours, Apex Educate, and others who share similar messages and values, can really help schools and workplaces build their understanding and embed anti-racism into everything they do.
It’s also about looking inward and asking important questions: What does our organisational culture look like? What do our policies and procedures say? How do we know if what we’re doing is actually working?
Two of the questions I always ask are “How do you know?” and “Why?” Having a clear purpose, a strong ‘why’ is vital, but so is understanding the impact of your actions. This means listening to your staff, beneficiaries, partners, or even customers. What do they feel, see, and hear?
Embedding an anti-racist culture requires listening, even when it’s uncomfortable and responding positively to what you learn. That’s how we move forward, creating environments where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging and welcome.
Q. Are there any standout moments or success stories from your time with the campaign that you’re particularly proud of?
A. Every year, it feels like the campaign continues to grow, becoming more impactful, and now more needed than ever. One of the things I’m most proud of is how the team have moved towards delivering longer-term interventions.
When I joined the organisation five years ago, there was already a lot of fantastic work taking place, but much of it centred around one-off events. Since then, we’ve focused on creating more sustained engagement. For example, our work with adults is now very rarely a one-off, it’s delivered over a series of workshops rather than single sessions. This allows time for reflection, to think about what’s gone well, what’s been learned, and how perspectives evolve from the first session to the fifth. That deeper, ongoing approach is where we see real impact.
My key takeaway is our Young Ambassadors work. We work with secondary schools throughout an entire academic year, launching pupil-led antiracism groups with older students, who then mentor younger pupils to carry the work forward. Seeing the outcomes at the end of that journey is incredibly rewarding. The pupils share what they’ve achieved and, more importantly, the actions they plan to continue beyond our involvement.
There are over 1,500 schools in Wales, unfortunately, we can’t be in them all (I wish we had the funding to try!). But what makes me proud is knowing that every school we work with has the tools, skills, and confidence to keep that legacy alive, empowering young people to drive anti-racism in their schools long after we’ve gone.
Q. The big question - what are your hopes for the future of Show Racism the Red Card in Wales?
A. It is a big question, but I think the ultimate vision for me would be that one day, there’s no longer a need for SRtRC, because we’ve achieved a truly inclusive society where racism no longer exists. That’s the long-term dream, but right now, it can sometimes feel like we’re still a long way off.
In Wales, we’re working towards the ambition of becoming an anti-racist nation by 2030, and while I’m hopeful, I’m not confident. What’s important is that we keep making progress, that organisations and sectors continue to act on their anti-racist commitments and move us closer to that goal.
For SRtRC, my hope is that we can keep expanding our reach, engage more individuals, deliver more workshops, and have more of those open and sometimes difficult conversations across different sectors. Every conversation helps build understanding and contributes to lasting change.
Shaka our founder once said to me, “The goal is to pass the baton over in a better place than when we received it.” That really sums it up for me. We want to make sure that when the next generation takes over, our society is fairer, more inclusive, and further along on the journey to equality. I'd love to increase the team and bring in further funding, enabling us to do more work across Wales, but for now, we’ll keep doing our work, grow our impact, and hopefully leave the world in a better place than when we started - that’s what drives us.
The goal is to pass the baton over in a better place than when we received it.
Shaka Hislop SRtRC Founder
This month saw us host yet another Portal Promise event at the Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff.
Our event brought together professionals from across the Sports, Business, and Charity sectors with inspirational speakers. Together we explored The Positive Impact of Workplace Diversity.
Our incredible guest speakers, including leaders and changemakers from across Wales, shared their personal journeys and powerful insights on creating inclusive, diverse workplaces that drive performance and wellbeing.
Everyone's contributions during the Q&A and wider discussions made for a truly insightful and powerful morning, exploring not only
The Positive Impact of Workplace Diversity
diversity in the workplace, but also within our communities and everyday lives.
One of our key takeaways from the morning came from Noel Mooney, who reminded us that when it comes to driving change:
"It can’t just be a team, it has to be a movement."
It's clear the message resonated with everyone in the room - change happens when we move forward together.
A huge thank you to our event partner Engage Training, and of course to our guest speakers, Christian Malcolm (Christian Malcolm Sports Academy), Noel Mooney (CEO of the Football Association of Wales) and Jason Webber (Senior EDI Manager, FAW).
DON'T MISS OUR NEXT EVENT!
If you would like further information on future Portal Promise events, get in touch: info@portaltraining.co.uk or follow us on eventbrite
Kicking Off Confidence: Reflections from the PAWB Mentoring Programme
Earlier
this year, we were proud to share that Portal’s Shawn Staples had been selected as a mentor for the FAW PAWB Mentoring Programme, an initiative designed to support aspiring coaches from under-represented backgrounds.
Six months on, the programme has come to a close, and Shawn’s mentee has taken the time to reflect on his experience. From developing new skills to gaining real-world insight into elite football environments, his story highlights just how powerful the right guidance and encouragement can be.
As part of the 2025 FAW PAWB Mentoring Programme, I have had the privilege of being mentored by Shawn Staples, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping my journey in football coaching. Our bi-weekly online sessions provided me with a consistent platform to discuss my aspirations, challenges and development pathway.
Shawn’s insightful feedback and encouragement created an environment where I felt supported and motivated to take meaningful steps forward in my coaching career.
One of the most significant opportunities that arose through this mentorship was the chance to shadow the performance analysis team with the Wales Boys regional squad. This immersion offered a rare and valuable insight into the operational dynamics of elite youth football performance analysis. Working alongside Cameron Long and his team, I am set to gain practical experience in data collection, video analysis, and the interpretation of performance metrics - skills that are increasingly essential in modern coaching. This hands-on exposure will not only enhance my analytical capabilities but also
deepen my understanding of how performance data can inform and improve coaching decisions.
Shawn’s mentorship was pivotal in helping me set clear developmental goals. One major milestone has been my enrolment in the UEFA C license course, starting January 2026. This qualification is a crucial next step in formalising my coaching knowledge and expanding my abilities. The structured guidance from Shawn throughout the programme kept me focused, accountable, and confident in navigating the demands of formal coaching education while balancing practical experiences.
What stands out most about Shawn’s mentorship is his personalised and holistic approach. He helped me connect the dots between my on-field experiences, my academic studies in sports coaching and performance, and my career ambitions.
This integration has empowered me to not only grow my technical skills but also refine my strategic thinking and leadership qualities. As I continue on this path, I am grateful for the foundation and inspiration the PAWB Mentoring Programme and Shawn’s mentorship have provided.
Vinu Thomas, FAW PAWB Mentee
We’re so pleased to see the difference this experience has made, both for Shawn as a mentor and for Vinu, his mentee as he continues his coaching journey. It’s a great example of how sharing time, knowledge, and support can create real impact and lasting connections within Welsh football. Diolch | Thank you Vinu for sharing!
TO FIND OUT MORE: If you would like to know more about the PAWB Mentor Programme, visit: www.faw.cymru
From left to right: Vinu Tomas, Shawn Staples
Diolch/Thank you...
We hope you enjoyed the latest edition of Portal Connect.
If you would like to contribute to the next edition or have a community club, team or event to promote, please get in touch!
CONTACT:
Helen Hallam
Marketing, Design and Communications Manager 07711 596558
helen.hallam@portaltraining.co.uk
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