Diversity Equity & Inclusion_

Further information

England Athletics has posted the following FAQ on its website that we believe can help us all to understand the background to, and the challenges we face, when confronting the issues linked to an effective diversity action plan.

  • What is a diversity action plan and why do England Athletics have one?

A diversity action plan outlines how England Athletics will ensure opportunity and representation from diverse groups of people across its governance, leadership and decision-making structures. This means that a range of voices and diverse experiences are considered when decisions are made at board, council and operational level. All organisations in receipt of government funding, through UK Sport and/or Sport England, and the National Lottery must have a diversity action plan in line with A Code for Sports Governance. This mandatory code sets out the levels of transparency, accountability and financial integrity which are required.

  • Is this in response to Black Lives Matter?

No, the England Athletics diversity action plan was first developed in 2017 and covered the period until March 2021. During 2020, the plan was reviewed so it can continue in 2021 and beyond as the organisation acknowledges it has more work to do. In response to the death of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter, England Athletics worked with UK Athletics on the ‘Let’s Talk About Race’ series to listen to and better understand the experiences of black people and those from other ethnically diverse communities within the sport. The recommendations from the ‘Let’s Talk About Race’ report and through engagement with the RacEquality Network are embedded within England Athletics’ updated diversity action plan which sets out how the organisation will continue to improve ethnic diversity in the sport

  • Is there still bias, racism and other forms of discrimination in the sport?

Tackling all forms of discrimination within grassroots athletics and running in England is a matter England Athletics takes with the utmost seriousness and works collaboratively with its partners to address. Whilst England Athletics has made significant progress both in the diversity of decision-makers within its own structures and around participation in the sport itself, it acknowledges it still has a lot of work to do. Inclusivity is one of England Athletics’ core values and the organisation acknowledges that everyone has a part play to ensure athletics and running is a sport where all feel welcome.

  • Outside of governance what progress has been made in improving participation from underrepresented groups?

More than half of all current competitive track and field athletes under the age of 17 are female. Over 50% of Run Leaders are women and more than 100,000 women have been engaged in running through England Athletics’ RunTogether programme. Over one third of all athletes and runners are from an area of deprivation and the ‘Sport for All’ research conducted by Sport England states that Black adults and young people are significantly over-represented in track and field athletics compared with other sports.

  • What initiatives has England Athletics delivered or supported in the areas of equality, diversity and inclusion?

England Athletics aims to embed diversity and inclusion in everything it does so that it cuts across all areas of its work. It does this by ensuring all products, programmes and campaigns are inclusive and by providing education and development opportunities such as webinars, resources and training. In addition to this, the organisation delivers several positive action programmes to address specific under-representation in the sport, some examples include:

• RunAndTalk – supporting mental health through running
• Find A Guide – supporting visually impaired people to run
• Launch of Personal Best Foundation to provide opportunities for children and young people from disadvantaged communities to experience athletics to enrich and change lives.

  • How is diversity representation changing at the grassroots’ governance level?

The diversity of the England Athletics Board has changed significantly since the Diversity Action Plan was first developed in 2017 with improved representation from women, disabled people and ethnically diverse groups. Female representation on the Board is currently 50% whilst its ethnic diversity is at 25%. England Athletics recognises there is more work to do around representation at Board level. With England Athletics Regional Council elections taking place next year, the organisation is working hard, together with its members and partners, to attract more diverse nominations to continue to improve representation at council level.

Policy statement

“Equality, diversity and inclusion is a responsibility for all of us and we are committed to ensuring it is a golden thread that runs through everything we do. To develop and nurture our inclusive culture and contribute to effective decision making, we must continuously ensure we are embracing and involving perspectives from wide ranging backgrounds and experiences.”

Statement from England Athletics Board

Application

To improve equality, diversity and inclusion within our club we will:

  1. Ensure that the principles of equality and diversity are owned and are embedded throughout the club
     
  2. Improve our understanding of equality and diversity issues within our club and community by better understanding the equality profile of our sport, the club and community
     
  3. Raise awareness of and embed the principles of equality and diversity throughout our club by regularly reviewing our policies, procedures and practices to ensure they are inclusive and do not discriminate; and provide information for coaches, officials and members to help them tackle inequality and discrimination in athletics, multisport and running
     
  4. Understand and tackle barriers for under-represented groups within the club and bring athletics and running to new audiences within the city of Brighton and Hove. We will encourage all sections of society to participate in our sport

DEI Policy

GENERAL AND POLICY OBJECTIVES

This policy and related documents apply to Brighton Phoenix Athletics and Triathlon Club, a registered charity with registration number 1183179 (‘the Club’ or ‘Brighton Phoenix’).

Athletics is one of the most accessible and successful sports in the UK. England Athletics (our national governing body) is committed to promoting the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. This includes:

  • Improved female and ethnically diverse representation within our membership and governance structure
  • Growing opportunities for everyone to experience athletics, triathlon, multisport and running, and to enable them to reach their full potential,
  • Empowering our members to challenge discrimination
  • Helping our members understand gender bias and to be an ally to women and their goals in athletics, running and multisport
  • Delivery of education and training across equality and diversity topics, unconscious bias and mental health.

The club shares and adopted these values and aims.

 

Therefore

Brighton Phoenix endorses the principle of equality and will strive to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved in athletics (in all its disciplines and forms) has a genuine and equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities.

This is without regard to their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race, socio-economic status or sexual orientation and can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected and, in particular, that they are able to enjoy their sport without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment or abuse.

Implementation

To implement this policy, Brighton Phoenix is committed to:

  • Improving representation of disabled people within the club
  • Aiming for gender equality at Board level
  • Aiming for ethnically diverse membership
  • Enhancing equality and diversity education, training and support to coaches, officials, volunteers and other members
  • Improving DEI data collection
  • Reviewing club policies and codes of conducts ensuring they are clearly stating the expected behaviours
  • Supporting, educating and implementing the principles of the UKA transgender eligibility statement
  • Understanding and following the initiatives of the Athletics Pride Network and RacEquality Network to support anti-racism and LGBTQ+ inclusion
  • Improving the representation of women and young people at all levels within the club