“Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure that it becomes equally accessible to all members of society whatever their age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or social / economic status”
(Sport England)
The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport
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The Equality Standard is a framework to guide sports and community organisations towards achieving equality. It will assists in developing structures and processes, assessing performance and ensuring continuous improvement in equality. The standard is supported by the Women’s Sports Foundation, English Federation of Disability Sport and Sporting Equals.
The Equality Standard is based upon two broad areas of activity:
- Developing your organisation - what your organisation is, this will be a reflection of the culture, policies, leadership and people
- Developing your services - what your organisation does, this is reflected in the impact that policies, leadership and people have on your organisations programmes, communications and customer service
These two areas of activity are reflected at four levels (foundation, preliminary, intermediate and advanced).
The Sussex County Sport Partnership achieved the Foundation Level in April 2007 and is currently working towards the Preliminary level.
The SCSP is committed to achieving the preliminary level by:
- understanding the issues and barriers faced by under-represented groups
- having a robust action plan for equality which all staff, volunteers and key stakeholders understand
- all staff and volunteers within the organisation understanding the principles of equality and their role in delivering against the action plan
The Sussex County Sports Partnership (SCSP) as a core team has regularly updated its members on the progress and work being undertaken to gain the foundation and preliminary level of the equality standard.
Sussex County Sport Partnership Equity Policy
The CSP’s equity policy shows:
- The CSP acknowledges that there are inequalities and barriers within sport and physical activity participation and provision within the county, as highlighted through the BME research and Strata Survey.
- The CSP acknowledges the diversity of provision that is required to ensure that all people regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, pregnancy, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference, parental or marital status, or political belief can access sport and physical activity provision at a level
appropriate to them.
- The CSP recognises that passive policies will not achieve change and is committed to taking active steps to combat discrimination.
Sussex County Sport Partnership Equity Policy
click here to download the Sussex County Sports Partnership Equity Policy
Sussex County Sport Partnership Equality Action Plan
The CSP is developing a robust equality action plan which all staff, volunteers and key stakeholders understand. All staff and volunteers within the organisation understand the principles of equality and their role in delivering against our action plan. Partner organisations and new audiences will be aware of, and are engaged in, the delivery of our action plan.
Click here to see the Sussex County Sports Partnership draft action plan
Read our disability page www.sussexsport.org
Equality Sports Organisations
Women’s Sports Foundation
The WSF are committed to improving, increasing and promoting opportunities for women and girls - in all roles and at all levels - in sport, fitness and physical activi ty through advocacy, information, education, research and training. They campaign for change at all levels of sport through raising awareness and influencing policy: www.wsf.org.uk
English Federation of Disability Sport
The EFDS is the national body responsible for developing sport for disabled people in England. The EFDS Head Office is based in Manchester Metropolitan University in Alsager near Crewe and they have a network of 9 regions who support national priorities and develop sports programmes to respond to local needs: www.efds.net
Sporting Equals
Sporting Equals is a national initiative funded by Sport England and the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). With its partners, Sporting Equals is working towards a society where:
- Ethnic minorities can influence and participate equally in sport at all levels as players, officials, coaches, administrators, volunteers and decision makers
- There is an awareness and understanding of racial equality issues and their impact on sport
- The governors and providers of sport recognise and value a fully integrated and inclusive society, and
- A sporting environment is established where cultural diversity is recognised and celebrated
