1 Becoming an ARC influencer

The term ‘influencer’ describes a novel marketing approach whereby a famous person and/or someone who has a large following on a social media platform such as YouTube is used to endorse or promote a particular product with the aim of using their popularity and profile to increase awareness of and, ultimately, its sales. Influencers like these can also promote certain ideas or opinions through social media.

The principle of becoming an ARC influencer connects to this by considering the role that individuals can play in encouraging the people around them to learn about, embrace and adopt ARC practice in their own roles. This can help embody the anti-racist position that was outlined in Session 1, one that advocates for people to pro-actively seek positive changes in themselves, other people and the organisations around them, making the shift from a more passive, reactive ‘non-racist’ viewpoint.

Some key aspects of being an ARC influencer can include the following:

Many coaches operate within a wider team – including working alongside other coaches, volunteers, support staff and family members of young players. It is quite possible that a coach will observe, or be told about, or even discuss with colleagues aspects of coaching practice that may clash with core ARC principles and wider anti-racist practice. The coach is well placed to influence those around them by positively developing the organisational culture and ensuring that anti-racism is built into the foundations of practice of those close to them.

The next section explores how an ARC influencer might go about challenging poor practice among colleagues or others within their sport setting by adopting the roles outlined above.