Sport brings people together and has a wonderful ability to transcend boundaries but sometimes it is necessary to target particular groups of society to offer them sport and recreation. It is important that well-meaning legislation does not affect sport and recreation offers to the community, but that sport also ensures it is accessible to all.

Background
Areas of potential discrimination:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage or civil partnership
• pregnancy or maternity
• race
• sex or sexual orientation
• religion or belief.

Current status

The Equalities Office recently ran a consultation on banning age discrimination in services, public functions and associations. The Alliance backed the proposal for an exemption for sport which would allow junior and senior competition to continue, despite clearly discriminating due to age. The Equalities Act also does not prevent single sex or disability streamed competition.

Actions

No current action required, although we would support the WSFF’s drive to increase female participation in sport and encourage members to create a full equality policy.

Further information

For more information visit www.sportandrecreation.org.uk or contact James MacDougall for policy developments or Joy Tottman for information on compliance with current legislation.
 

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