Equality, diversity, and inclusion in sport: A path towards progress

Written by Hanna Davies, Solicitor in our Employment and HR team.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are essential pillars in ensuring that sport, at all levels, remains fair, accessible, and reflective of the communities it serves. Recent developments, including the introduction of the Football Governance Bill, have shone a spotlight on the importance of robust EDI practices across the UK sporting landscape. This article explores how EDI is shaping the future of sport, with particular reference to the Football Governance Bill and the expectations set by key organisations such as UK Sport, Sport England and Sport Wales.

EDI in the Football Governance Bill

The Football Governance Bill is a significant milestone in addressing the shortcomings in football governance, promoting sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity. One of its key features is its emphasis on EDI, requiring football clubs to demonstrate their commitment to improving equality and diversity within their operations.

Under the new legislation, clubs must secure a licence to participate in competitions, a process overseen by the Independent Football Regulator (IFR). As part of the licensing conditions, clubs are required to publish a corporate governance statement. This statement must detail how they are applying the forthcoming Football Club Governance Code and outline specific actions to enhance equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Failure to meet these EDI reporting requirements could result in severe consequences, including financial penalties, public censure, or even the suspension of a club’s licence. These measures underscore the critical role of EDI in modern football governance, aligning with the recommendations of the Fan-Led Review and governance standards such as the Code for Sports Governance.

Beyond football: EDI across the UK sporting landscape

While the Football Governance Bill places a spotlight on EDI within football, the broader UK sporting sector has been working towards similar goals. Organisations such as UK Sport, Sport England and Sport Wales have implemented frameworks and initiatives to drive progress in this area.

The Code for Sports Governance sets the benchmark for governance across National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and other bodies that receive funding from UK Sport and Sport England. This code requires NGBs to produce comprehensive and ambitious plans to increase diversity within their boards and senior leadership teams. These plans must include specific targets and timelines, demonstrating a commitment to meaningful change. The code also mandates regular reviews and transparency, ensuring that organisations are held accountable for their progress. Sport England emphasises that diverse leadership contributes to more effective decision-making, greater innovation, and a stronger connection to the communities they serve.

UK Sport’s Diversity in Sport Governance Report 2024 offers a detailed analysis of the progress and challenges faced by the sector. The report celebrates improvements in representation for disabled people and individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds. However, it also identifies areas requiring urgent attention, such as the decline in women holding board positions. UK Sport highlights the importance of creating inclusive recruitment processes and providing leadership development opportunities to address these gaps. The report also stresses the role of mentoring and support networks in retaining diverse talent, fostering an environment where underrepresented groups can thrive.

Sport Wales’ Governance and Leadership Framework is another cornerstone for advancing EDI in sport. Originally launched in 2015, and refreshed in 2020 to remain relevant, this framework is designed to help sports organisations in Wales build strong governance structures and leadership practices. The framework places significant emphasis on inclusion, cultural sensitivity, and the ethical responsibilities of sports organisations. Sport Wales advocates for participant-centred approaches, ensuring that the needs and views of athletes, coaches, and volunteers are at the heart of decision-making. By embedding principles such as safeguarding, fair competition, and ethical leadership, the framework aims to create resilient and sustainable organisations. The framework also highlights the importance of collaboration, encouraging organisations to work with other sectors and community groups to widen participation and promote diversity across all levels of sport.

Practical steps for national governing bodies and clubs

To meet the expectations of the Football Governance Bill and the wider ambitions of EDI frameworks, sports organisations should consider taking the following steps:

• Develop comprehensive EDI strategies: Conduct cultural reviews to identify areas for improvement and create tailored strategies to address gaps.
• Embed EDI into policies: Ensure that EDI is central to all policies, including anti-discrimination and anti-harassment measures.
• Implement robust monitoring: Introduce systems to monitor the effectiveness of EDI initiatives, track diversity metrics, and address issues such as discrimination complaints.
• Provide training: Equip staff with the knowledge to recognise and address unconscious bias and discrimination through regular training programmes.
• Transparency in reporting: Publish detailed reports, including gender, ethnicity, disability, and social mobility pay gap analyses.

Key takeaways for driving EDI progress

Navigating the complexities of EDI in sport requires careful planning and a commitment to meaningful change. Organisations should aim to create strategies that comply with regulatory requirements and also foster an inclusive culture that benefits everyone involved. Addressing gaps through cultural reviews, robust policies, and transparent reporting can ensure compliance with evolving standards like those outlined in the Football Governance Bill.