4 Introducing the ARC (anti-racist coaching) model
This OpenLearn course is designed around the ‘ARC’ model of anti-racist coaching practice that was developed primarily by the authors of this Open Learn course, Jim Lusted and Daniel Kilvington (Lusted, Kilvington and Qureshi, 2021; ERS reference if it is ready). They undertook a research project with The Premier League am I adding the EPL here? to explore best practice among football coaches working with young players from diverse ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. As well as being based on the good practice identified in the research, the ARC model is also underpinned by wider research in anti-racist education and pedagogy, drawing on key concepts and approaches that have been utilised to enhance teacher training and educator practice over many years.
In particular, the ARC model is informed by an educational approach termed ‘culturally relevant pedagogy’ which was developed by Gloria Ladson-Billings in the 1990s to address the systematic disadvantages faced by young African American pupils in the US education system (Ladson-Billings, 1995). This approach sits in a wider body of work often referred to as ‘asset-based pedagogy’, which represents an attempt to shift attitudes about young learners who belong to marginalised groups who may be seen to struggle to ‘fit’ or be successful in an educational environment that fails to recognise, value or draw upon their cultural diversity. This is often contrasted with a so-called ‘deficit’ model, where marginalised pupils are viewed as lacking the required skills, knowledge and understanding to succeed in dominant education systems and therefore require ‘fixing’ to enable them to conform to expectations required to achieve.
Across Sessions 2 and 3 of the course, you will explore in some detail each of the six core principles that make up the ARC model of practice. Along the way, several top tips and practical examples will be discussed to help you consider how coaches adopt these principles into their everyday practice supporting children and young people in sport settings. The next activity introduces the ARC model and encourages you, at this early stage of the course, to reflect on how these core anti-racist coaching principles relate to your current practice.
Activity 2 An introduction to the ARC model
Take a look at the interactive diagram below which provides a basic overview of the six core principles. Spend a little time familiarising yourself with the ARC model by reading through the descriptions of each principle provided.
Now complete the table below to help you reflect on how your approach might align to the ARC model – you may find the principles are quite familiar and close to your practice, or the ARC model may reveal areas that you have not considered before. Add a tick, cross or type Yes or No into the text boxes in the table.
| ARC principle | This is already embedded of my coaching practice | I could do this more effectively/regularly | I’ve never really thought about this |
| Be culturally self-aware and reflective | |||
| Build culturally competent relationships | |||
| Adapt your practice to meet needs | |||
| Develop anti-racism among players | |||
| Be an ARC influencer | |||
| Create and sustain an ARC environment |
Identify the areas you feel you want or need to focus particularly on initially – and check again at the end of the course.
Having been introduced to the ARC model, the next section looks into some of the potential benefits of adopting ARC into a coach’s practice.