Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

What equality, diversity and inclusion means to Binfield FC

We believe:

  • In a fair society that gives everyone an equal chance to learn, work, play and live free from discrimination, harassment and prejudice. 
  • That the diversity of our communities is an asset
  • In combating discrimination however it manifests itself
  • Promoting diversity and inclusion across the football club

What it means to the Club

At Binfield FC equality, diversity and inclusion means valuing and celebrating our differences. Nurturing the right playing and coaching environment and culture means everyone thrives and can be themselves. 

For the game, it means everyone’s welcome, ensuring differences between us do not create barriers to getting into football and staying involved. 

Differences can be something tangible like gender, race and ethnicity. Less obvious differences include heritage, religion, sexual orientation, unseen disabilities, family or social status and age. 

We believe embracing equality, diversity and inclusion makes us stronger, and better equipped to meet the challenges of the modern game. Despite our individual differences, one thing should never be different – the game is FOR ALL .

Our Commitment

Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, everyone equally.  Our commitment is to eliminate discrimination whether by reason of for example gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or ability and to encourage equality of opportunity.

We have therefore signed up to the FA Code – appendix 1 – which will provide the stimulus and framework for the club over the next three years.

Setting Standards 

The Executive Committee of the football club are responsible for setting the standards and values which apply throughout the club and ensuring these are implemented on a day to day basis by managers, coaches, volunteers and parents and carers.

Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally.  We will confront and eliminate discrimination for whatever reason and to provide equality of opportunity in all our activities.

This includes:

  • The advertisement for volunteers.
  • The selection of candidates for volunteers.
  • Attendance at Courses.
  • External coaching and education activities and awards.
  • Football development activities.
  • Selection for teams.
  • Appointments to honorary positions.

Binfield Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.  

The Club will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual or group of individuals (whether or not they are members of the club). For the purposes of this policy these acts are regarded as discrimination. 

Binfield Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims, of discrimination when brought to its attention. Where such claims are found to be the case, then a requirement that the practice stops and sanctions will be imposed as appropriate. 

Binfield Football Club is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation and in the wider context, within football as a whole and is committed to taking positive action where inequalities exist

Binfield Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members to abide and adhere to these policies and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 as amended from time to time. 

Binfield FC will ensure that it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, its activities. 

Our Commitment to Volunteers, Employees and Job Applicants

We are committed to making sure that we provide equalities in employment.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that we do not unfairly discriminate against any volunteer, employee or job applicant for any reason.

Employee, Volunteer – Job Applicants

  • We will make sure we do not discriminate when we decide whom to employ so that the best people are appointed 
  • We will only consider applicants for jobs on the basis of their relevant experience, qualifications, skills and abilities
  • Employee specifications and recruitment criteria will be drafted to ensure that they do not imply the need of non-essential experience and qualifications and do not impose unjustifiable requirements, which might discriminate against some applicants.
  • We will aim to create a balanced and representative workforce

Implementation

We will do the following to make sure that the equalities, diversity & inclusion policy is fully effective:

  • Actively promote this policy
  • Set equality targets and report on these every year
  • Regularly monitor and review all of our procedures and change them if we think they discriminate against anyone
  • Make sure that all involved in the club know about this policy
  • Take appropriate action – using agreed procedures – if anyone working on behalf of the club, employed or engaged by the club breaks the conditions of this policy
  • Provide appropriate and timely training and refresher guidance to ensure the requirements of this policy are understand their legal responsibilities

Reporting discrimination: 

We review every complaint of every kind made to us. 

Reporting can be made to: 

The Club’s Welfare Officer(s)

The FA at: 

Football.ForAll@TheFA.com

Integrity@TheFA.com or

info@TheFA.com

Match officials; 

Kick It Out at: info@kickitout.org or via the Kick It Out App.

The FA Code

The Football Leadership Diversity Code will help clubs to better represent our modern and diverse society across the National League system, Women’s pyramid and grassroots football by seeking to tackle inequality and improve representation of historically underrepresented groups across senior leadership positions, wider team operations and coaching roles.

By signing this code, we commit to being Leaders in Football Diversity, ensuring that we promote and deliver the highest standards across our club, including: 

1. Club Leadership

We commit that our club’s leadership should reflect the diversity of our local community.

We will achieve this by:

  • Ensuring that our leadership reflects the local population in terms of gender, ethnicity and disability
  • Ensuring equality of opportunity for all
  • Carrying out selection based on merit, whilst seeking to source  volunteers from a diverse pool of talent
  • Monitoring other protected characteristics, cultural and social backgrounds within our leadership

2. Coaching & Selection

We commit to ensuring diversity within our volunteer coaching workforce. 

We will achieve this by:

  • Supporting individuals from all historically underrepresented groups and across age groups to become the next generation of coaches 
  • Selecting coaches openly and encouraging people from a diverse range of backgrounds to coach within the club 
  • Making sure that shortlists for interview will have at least one female or one individual from an historically underrepresented minority background, if applicants meet the role criteria apply and a recruitment process is applicable
  • Monitoring the diversity of our coaches and working towards them reflecting our player base 

3. Culture

We commit to continuing to strive for the most inclusive club culture.

We will achieve this by:

  • Having a ‘Club Equality Policy’ which promotes equality, diversity and inclusion, adopted by all club members / players / officials as a condition of membership annually
  • Ensuring all club officials attend The FA’s equality, diversity and inclusion online offerings, refreshing this at appropriate intervals 
  • Signposting all members to  The FA’s equality, diversity and inclusion online training each season
  • Ensuring that young people are involved meaningfully in our club (through a youth committee or their suitable mechanism) if our club provides a youth offering or youth teams
  • Monitoring our cultural progress through an annual club culture survey with a template provided by The FA

4. Reporting Discrimination

We commit to encouraging the reporting of discrimination.

We will achieve this by:

  • Distributing information on how to report discrimination to all club members, every season 
  • Reporting all incidences of discrimination immediately our local County FA, Kick It Out or The FA

5. Raising Awareness

We commit to raising awareness on the topic of equality, diversity and inclusion.

We will achieve this by:

  • Using The FA’s Diversity Code resources to promote our support and raise awareness with others
  • Making efforts to engage with local media and other local bodies to publicise our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 
  • Supporting The FA and other anti-discrimination body campaigns