Molly Thompson-smith: How Allyship Can Reshape Diversity In The Outdoors
Last week The North Face launched the Allyship In The Outdoors course, a digital tool aimed at changing the way organisations, communities and individuals view allyship and racial inclusion.
British climber Molly Thompson-Smith, part of The North Face Athlete team, explains why she’s supporting it, and the importance of diversifying outdoor sport and leisure.
I first tried climbing when I was seven, and within a year had joined my local climbing club, excitedly going once a week. Back then, for young girls like me with dual heritage, there wasn’t much representation within climbing or the outdoor community.
At times, this made me question whether it was a sport in which I belonged. I felt different, and people changed how they behaved around me simply because I didn’t look like them.
It took me until my late teens to love my hair, and when I was younger, my hair was a sensitive subject for me – I wanted straight hair, not bushy curls.
Even though most of the time it came from a place of curiosity, people would talk about my hair – both adults and children – often touching it without asking. Already feeling out of place, this really made me feel self-conscious about the way I looked. After all, the people who touched my hair didn’t do it to people who didn’t look like me.
My hair also caused other difficulties. Because it wasn’t ‘normal’ for the climbing community, I had difficulties wearing a helmet with the same ease of my climbing peers – they weren’t designed for someone like me. While everyone else was slipping on their helmets in seconds, I couldn’t. It became my least favourite part of the climbing session.
There wasn’t much awareness or education for instructors, other climbers or parents on the impact that these differences could have on someone, and as a young girl it left me feeling insecure. It was tough.
Though my sport is tackling issues like this, progress is slow. That’s why initiatives like The North Face’s Allyship In The Outdoors course are hugely important. And I’m grateful for the chance to work with a brand committed to such initiatives, offering it free for everyone.
If more organisations, coaches and instructors are aware of the barriers that people of colour face in the outdoors – and learn how to be an effective ally – sports like climbing will open up to more diverse audiences, and more people can reap the benefits of sports like climbing.
I’ve spoken to people who have taken it and they’ve told me they’re already making changes.
Which is amazing to hear. The more open outdoor sport is to diverse audiences, the more people from underrepresented backgrounds will see, and the more likely they’ll be to get involved. It’s a virtuous circle.
When I started out, I had to look outside of climbing for my inspirations and role models. They were Dame Kelly Holmes and Jess Ennis-Hill. I’d like to think that, with more diverse role models within climbing, the audience and appetite for the sport will just grow and grow.
I’ve had kids and their parents approach me, saying that through me embracing my curly hair, they’re able to also feel proud of their curly hair. I hope that empowers them to embrace the sport I love, and engage with it for a long time.
I’m on a clear path now towards the Olympic qualifiers – the next five months involve intense focus and preparation. Having made a World Cup and World Championships final this year, I feel I’ve had my most consistent season ever, so hopefully I can inspire them too with my performances on the biggest stage.
The Allyship In The Outdoors course is a free resource. If you or your organisation would like to take it, simply sign up to The North Face XPLR pass programme and follow the online instructions.
