What is ‘Equality Standard’?
The Equality Standard (the Standard) is a framework to guide sports and community organisations towards achieving equality.
It aims to help organisations to widen access and reduce inequalities in sport and physical activity from under representative individuals, groups and communities especially women and girls, ethnic minority groups and disabled people.
The Standard is a collaboration of the four Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport, and is supported by the CCPR, the Women’s Sports Foundation, The English Federation of Disability Sport and Sporting Equals. The FA has adopted as a framework to work against as a champion for equality, and County Football Associations who champion equality in Grassroots football. Progress through The Standard is part of The FA strategy and is embedded in the County Plans, and is the framework we use to report against progress to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Research shows that many sports have low participation levels by women and girls, ethnic minority groups, disabled people and, in some cases, young people, and these groups are therefore under-represented.
In defining the equality needs for sports organisations, the Standard has identified two areas of activity:
- Developing the Organisation – what the organisation is. This will be a reflection of the culture, policies, leadership and people.
- Developing the Services – what the organisation does. This is reflected in the impact that policies, leadership and people have on the organisation’s programmes, communications and customer service.
The Bedfordshire Football Association is currently working towards the Foundation Level of the Standard. The outcomes of this level are as follows:
- The organisation is committed to equality
- The organisation has an equality policy that has been communicated and is understood by staff and key volunteers
Please find attached in ‘Related documents’ the new Bedfordshire FA’s Equality Policy. Any comments or feedback on this policy would greatly welcomed.
James Slack, Equality Standards Lead Officer
Tel: 01582 567719 or e-mail james.slack@bedfordshirefa.com