Inclusion in Football

Inclusion

Football is open and accessible for all

Football is open and accessible for all.

 

Equality Statement

The Equality Standard (A Framework for Sport) was launched by the UK in November 2004 to help address the inequalities that exist within the sports sector. It is a framework to guide sports organisations, including national governing bodies of sport, towards achieving equality. In 2019 Dorset FA achieved the Foundation Level of the Standard moving on to achieving the Preliminary Level of the Standard in 2021. It is important that we comply with the Standard to ensure that we continue to be an inclusive organisation who are committed to offer football for all, no matter age, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, race, religion or belief, ability or disability including mental health, pregnancy or maternity to encourage equality and inclusion at all levels.

 

We recognise that there are still in the case of some of our diverse / protected characteristics communities, for example those from sexual minorities, major challenges to their feeling and being welcome, safe, and valued in the setting of football. Dorset FA is committed to explore with all our partners, members and beyond, effective solutions to address these issues. 

 

The FA have a clear Equality & Inclusion Strategic Plan in place and The County Association are funded by The FA to deliver on National Game Strategy targets for male, female and disability players and female and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) coaches and referees. As an organisation we must also ensure that any players, coaches, referees or volunteers wishing to access football in Dorset have the opportunity to do so, regardless of those protected characteristics described above.

This work will include our Equality Policy and Equality Statement, our staff and board members, how we communicate with our stakeholders and customers, and our Human Resources policies. This work will be led by the Board Champions for Equality, Andy Mercer and David Corbin and the Equality Lead, Justine Mosley, supported by the Chief Executive, Sue Hough.

 

We will also look to support others in our community not covered by legislation.

 

We continue to make considerable strides in realising our statutory obligations to pay due regard and to promote equality across the equality strands, which we can be proud of and encouraged by. 

 

We will continually build on our foundations that have been laid to achieve high standards in equality, diversity and inclusion. 

 

Dorset FA is committed to developing, supporting and sustaining a diverse workforce, representative of the community it serves, through the creation of a work environment where staff are able to do their jobs to the best of their abilities without having to face discrimination or harassment. 

 Equality Standard - Preliminary

Key Principles:

Dorset County FA will ensure that it treats people fairly and with respect, and will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, football activities. Dorset County FA will not tolerate harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of any participant, or any form of discrimination direct or indirect, whether physical or verbal (including ‘banter’).

Dorset County FA will work to ensure that any such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs, and actively encourages its reporting from those targeted and those witnessing/aware of it. Dorset County FA commits itself to the immediate investigation of any allegation of harassment, bullying or discrimination, as soon as it is brought to their attention, and where such is found to be the case, applying relevant and proportionate sanctions

 

Dorset County FAis committed to inclusion and anti-discrimination and will raise awareness of these issues through education, campaigning, the achievement and maintenance of independently verified equality standards, widening diversity and representation and the promotion of diverse role models all key actions to promote inclusion and eradicate discrimination within football, encouraging maximum opportunities for talent to be nurtured, not lost.

For further information please contact Justine Mosley on 01202 688277 or email support@dorsetfa.com

 

DORSET FA INCLUSION ADVISORY GROUP (IAG)

We recently established an Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) to help drive the opportunities for everyone to become involved in football.

The IAG will support English Football’s Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Plan, which brings together varied stakeholders from across football to promote inclusion and tackle discrimination in all forms.

The plan encourages greater inclusion in the game, and ensures that the services Dorset FA provides are relevant to the needs of all football communities in the county.

Dorset FA’s Inclusion Advisory Group has 4 key goals:

Widen football’s talent pool-by recruiting volunteer IAG members to support Dorset FA develop inclusive county development plans.

Clarify anti-discrimination regulations and sanctions by assisting with raising awareness of the minimum five match ban for abusive or discriminatory behaviour; and mandatory equality education.

Encourage reporting of discrimination within football community on how to report discrimination, and advising on tactics to instil confidence in the reporting and disciplinary process.

Increase knowledge and awareness-by supporting Dorset FA with embedding inclusive practices within existing development programmes, and promoting education in equality and diversity.

Organisations that are currently represented on our Inclusion Advisory Group include:

  • Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
  • FA Charter Standard Clubs
  • Youth Sports Trust
  • Dorset Mental Health Forum
  • LGBT Dorset
  • Active Dorset
  • Dorset Ability Counts League
  • AFC Bournemouth
  • Dorset Children's Foundation
  • Activity Alliance
  • Dorset FA Youth Council

For further information please contact Justine Mosley on 01202 688277 or email support@dorsetfa.com

Kick it Out

Kick It Out

Kick It Out is football's equality and inclusion organisation, challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaigning for positive change.

VISION

Kick It Out's vision is that Football will be a sport where people flourish in a supportive community, and where fairness is openly and transparently practiced and enforced for the good of all participants.

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