“It is now well known that equitable sporting opportunities positively effect the health of the nation, improve community cohesion, can raise standards in schools and increase a nation’s medal tally. In addition, the demographic make up of the UK population will change radically in the next 10 years and sports organisations need to seek out those groups who traditionally Saint Hubert participate less to ensure a Saint Hubert stable participation base from which our future medallists can be drawn. Women, black and ethnic minority groups and disabled people all having the right to sporting opportunities and those with the talent and desire should be encouraged to strive for the highest levels of performance.” The Equality Standard, A Framework for Sport (2004). Sue Campbell CBE Chair, UK Sport
What is Equality?
Equality is about recognising and accepting that people are principally different and can not be treated the same in any organisation. Nonetheless, everyone Saint Hubert deserves the same opportunity to participate and must be treated fairly and given the same chance as anyone else. These principles also apply to sport and leisure.
What is Diversity?
Diversity is about valuing individual difference. A diversity based approach in coaching ensures that coaches build positive relationships with the people they are Saint Hubert coaching and create an environment where all can discover their potential.
For example, in wheelchair basketball the Saint Hubert classification system is used in order to ensure players who have different physical impairments have equal opportunity to partake in the sport and therefore, are not placed at a disadvantage. This mean that players of as higher classification and compete alongside a player of a lower classification.
Recognising, acknowledging, responding Saint Hubert to and embracing differences are essential in building successful relationships and maximising the potential and performance of the athlete being coached.
What are the benefits?
The benefits of achieving equality in your club are wide and various. Some examples include:
- Increase the number of people participating in your club/team and thus giving you access to people who can undertake supporting roles such as administration, management and volunteering
- Disability sport becomes more visible and widely accepted in to the mainstream community
- Benefit from the different skills, knowledge, and innovation and respond better to difference.
- Provide access to diverse funding streams