If you're involved in sports or physical activities, you might have come across Figueroa's Framework. It's a well-known model that helps us understand the various forms of discrimination that exist in sports. The framework consists of five levels, and in this article, we'll be focusing on the structural level.

What is the Structural Level?

The structural level of Figueroa's Framework deals with the policies, rules, and regulations that govern sports and physical activities. It's the level where we see how the organization of sports can either promote or hinder participation from certain groups of people.

At this level, we look at how sports bodies, such as governing bodies, sports clubs, and organizations, can create a level playing field for everyone. We also examine how they can remove obstacles that prevent people from participating fully in sports and physical activities.

Examples of Structural Level Discrimination

Discrimination at the structural level can take many forms. Here are some examples:

1. Inadequate funding for women's sports

Women's sports often receive less funding than men's sports, which limits their ability to compete at the same level. This can be attributed to the belief that men's sports are more popular and generate more revenue, which is not always the case.

2. Rules that exclude certain groups of people

Some sports have rules that exclude certain groups of people based on their gender, race, or ability. For example, until recently, women were not allowed to participate in certain Olympic events, such as ski jumping.

3. Poor accessibility to sports facilities

Some communities lack access to sports facilities, which limits their ability to participate in sports and physical activities. This can be due to the location of the facilities, the cost of using them, or the lack of maintenance.

How to Address Structural Level Discrimination

Addressing discrimination at the structural level requires a collective effort from sports bodies, governments, and other stakeholders. Here are some ways to address structural level discrimination:

1. Ensure equal funding for all sports

Sports bodies should ensure that all sports, regardless of their popularity, receive equal funding. This will help to promote gender equality and encourage the development of sports that might not receive as much attention.

2. Review and revise rules that exclude certain groups of people

Sports bodies should review and revise their rules to ensure that they do not exclude certain groups of people. This could involve changing the weight categories in combat sports to accommodate different body types or allowing transgender athletes to compete in the gender they identify with.

3. Improve accessibility to sports facilities

Governments should invest in sports facilities and ensure that they are accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or financial situation. This could involve building new facilities in underserved areas or providing subsidies to low-income families to use existing facilities.

Conclusion

The structural level of Figueroa's Framework is an essential aspect of understanding discrimination in sports. By addressing discrimination at this level, sports bodies and governments can create a level playing field for everyone and promote participation in sports and physical activities. It's up to all of us to work together to make sports more inclusive and accessible to everyone.

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