Sports equality 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 everyone in society. With the introduction of protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 Active Dorset re-submitted evidence for and achieved the Foundation Level of the Equality Standard and our policy is available for download.
The Board of Active Dorset is committed to equality and signed up to the following statement:
Active Dorset County Sports Partnership is fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and is responsible for ensuring that no job applicants, employees, workers, office holders, volunteers, participants or members are unlawfully discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
The Board has met the current governance target of having at least 30% of each gender on the Board and is committed to progressing towards achieving gender parity and greater diversity generally among its members, including, but not limited to, Black, Asian, minority ethnic (BAME) diversity and disability
Active Dorset is also working in partnership with the LGB&T Dorset Equality Network (the Network) to boost the numbers of LGB&T people accessing sport and physical activity.
We recognise that historically there have been factors and barriers (prejudice and explicit or indirect exclusion) inhibitory to LGB&T community members enjoying full access to and participating in some sports and exercise. Active Dorset and the Network agree that this is not acceptable as these barriers prevent the broader community enjoying good health and wellbeing to their fullest extent. The barriers also prevent clubs and activity providers increasing their playing membership, coaches, officials, committee and volunteer workforce to become ever more sustainable. We will work together in relevant areas to ensure that all members of the LGB&T population groups can realise their potential and enjoy full and equal benefits of exercise and related wellbeing activities.
Useful Links
English Federation of Disability Sport
PULSE connects black and ethnic minority people in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole and aims to provide news, information, resources and links relevant to the increasing and vibrant ethnic minority population and groups in the county. Contact pulsedorset@yahoo.co.uk for more information.
Downloads
Equality Policy (PDF, 147 Kb)
