What is Sports Equality?

Sports Equality is about fairness in sport; equality of access; recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It involves changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to all members of society and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to realise their talent and full potential.

Equality Policy Statement

The Club is fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and aims to ensure that everyone has a genuine and equal opportunity to participate in Paddlesport at all levels and in all roles of the sport, irrespective of age; disability; gender identification; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex and sexual orientation. In addition, the Club will endeavour to ensure that all are given the same opportunities regardless of their socio-economic background. This includes members, volunteers, participants, supporters, coaches, officials, job applicants and employees (together known as Stakeholders).

The Club recognises that unlawful discrimination is unacceptable and will not tolerate direct or indirect discrimination. The Club will take, or support, positive action to eliminate individual and/or institutional discrimination:

  • The Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport.
  • The Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment and abuse.
  • All Club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity and the club’s management committee is responsible for implementing, maintaining and dealing with any breaches of this policy.
  • The Club regards any incidence of discriminatory behaviour as serious misconduct and will deal with this according to club disciplinary procedures.

Legal Responsibilities

The Club is required by law not to unlawfully discriminate against its Stakeholders and recognises its legal obligations under, and will abide by the requirements of, the Equality Act 2010, and any equivalent legislation (as amended) in any UK jurisdiction, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man and any later amendments to such legislation or subsequent equality related legislation that may be relevant to the Club. The Club will seek advice each time this Policy is reviewed to ensure it continues to reflect the current legal framework and good practice.

The Club considers that canoeing is a gender affected sport under the Equality Act 2010 and will adhere to the BC/Canoe England guidance and policy in relation to participation by transgender athletes. The BC/Canoe England do not currently have a policy for transgender in place however any queries should be directed to [email protected] in the first instance.

Implementation

A copy of the policy will be available to all members and employees of The Club. All persons shall respect, act in accordance with, and thereby support and promote the spirit and intentions of this policy. If you would like to request any of the documents in this section in an alternative format please contact us by emailing [email protected].

Reasonable Adjustments

The Club recognises that it has a duty to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. The Club will consider all requests for adjustments and where possible will accommodate reasonable requests and will work with disabled Stakeholders to implement any adjustments that will enable them to participate more fully in all Club activities.

Types of Unlawful Discrimination

The Club regards any form of unlawful discrimination as serious misconduct and any employee, volunteer or member who unlawfully discriminates against, harasses or victimises any other person will be liable to appropriate disciplinary action. Unlawful discrimination can take the following forms:

  • Direct Discrimination – treating a person less favourably than others would be treated in the same circumstances on the grounds of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex and sexual orientation.
  • Indirect Discrimination – occurs when a job requirement or condition is applied equally to all, which has a disproportionate and detrimental effect on one sector of society, because fewer from that sector can comply with it and the requirement cannot be justified in relation to the job.
  • Harassment – described as inappropriate actions, behaviour, comments or physical contact that are objectionable or cause offence to the recipient or any other individual affected by such conduct.
  • Bullying – described as the misuse of power, the act of criticising persistently or to humiliate and undermine an individual’s confidence.
  • Victimisation – described as when one person is treated less favourably than others because he or she has taken action under one of the relevant Acts / Regulations or provided information about discrimination, harassment or inappropriate behaviour.

Process & Sanctions for breach of Equality Policy

  1. Any person who believes they have been treated in a way that they consider to be in breach of Regents Canoe Club Equality Policy, by a member of the club, or the club itself, should discuss it with a committee member, who will notify the Chair of the committee, or another committee member if appropriate. Any person witnessing such treatment can also discuss with a committee member.
  2. The Chair will ensure the matter is investigated; either in person, or by appointing another committee member to do so.
  3. The investigation will be conducted impartially, confidentially, and without avoidable delay.
  4. Any person against whom a complaint of inequality has been made will be informed of what is alleged and given the opportunity to present their side of the matter.
  5. The outcome of the investigation will be notified to the parties.
  6. If the investigation reveals unacceptable discriminatory behaviour on the part of the party in question the committee may impose sanctions on that person.
  7. If concerns relate to a committee member; they shall not be included in the investigation or decision making regarding sanctions.
  8. Sanctions may range from a written notice concerning future conduct up to and including temporary or permanent expulsion from Regents Canoe Club.
  9. In deciding what sanction is appropriate in a particular case the Committee will consider the severity of the matter and take account of any mitigating or material circumstances.
  10. Any documents relating to the investigation and discussion, will be filed by the Committee but not published on the club website. The fact that an investigation was concluded and its outcome will be minuted in the appropriate Committee minutes. The names of all members involved will be redacted from all published minutes.