Equity

Equity is not about equal numbers, and it is not necessarily about treating everyone equally. It is concerned more with fairness, justice, inclusion and respect, and about ensuring that all individuals are respected, have equal opportunities to participate, and have their rights protected.

Sports equity is about making sure that everyone has the same chance to take part in sport if they choose to do so, and that individuals or groups are not discriminated against for reasons such as gender, race, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation or social background. Research repeatedly shows that people from minority or disadvantaged groups take part in sport less frequently at all levels, including participation, coaching and leadership.

Furthermore, it’s about making sure that barriers which stand in the way of under-represented groups are eliminated. sportscotland recognises that achieving equity might require an unequal distribution of effort, and the use of ‘positive action’ to reach the most disadvantaged or excluded groups.

Equity is critical to increasing diversity in sport. Organisations can put in place structures and practices that embrace equity through a well thought through programme that embraces diversity and considers particular issues such as attracting more women and girls into sport, ensuring that a sport can be adapted to enable people with disabilities to take part, or putting measures in place to ensure that discrimination or bullying on the grounds of a person’s sexual orientation or racial background is identified and tackled.

Equity: a moral or a legal obligation?

Is ensuring sport is fair and equitable something we ‘should’ do, or something that we ‘must’ do?

The answer is ‘both’: certainly, ensuring sport is delivered fairly and equitably is no longer something that organisations can do as an ‘optional extra’. There is a robust legal framework in place which ensures that individuals cannot be discriminated against for reasons such as their gender (including transgender status), disability, colour, racial background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or age. The legal framework is explored in more detail in each of the strands within the equity section of the website. Sports organisations should ensure that they are aware of the law and how it impacts on them: whether you are an employer or simply a provider of facilities, good and services, the equality laws will certainly affect your organisation.

sportscotland, in conjunction with UK Sport, has produced a guide for Scottish governing bodies on the equality laws in the UK at present. Equalities legislation: a guide for governing bodies of sport (published 2007) can be accessed on this page.

However, equity should not simply be about ensuring that your organisation complies with the law. Ensuring that your sport is managed and delivered fairly, and that everyone is afforded equality of opportunity, is also the right thing to do. Organisations have a moral obligation as well as a legal one. Equity is not just about disadvantaged groups - it is relevant to everyone. Furthermore, ensuring equity is mainstreamed throughout your organisation will offer significant business benefits to the organisation itself, such as a wider range of skills, knowledge and experience, a greater participation base, a more positive public image and potentially greater revenue.

The Importance of Diversity in Sport

Everyone has a unique range of skills and knowledge that they bring to sport. An effective organisation recognises this and values its diversity. It acknowledges the benefits of different cultures, abilities and lifestyles in helping to develop the sport and achieve organisational objectives. In terms of recruitment of employees and volunteers, an effective organisation recruits, selects and develops people according to the needs of the organisation and the capacity to undertake the work required. In terms of participation, an effective organisation promotes and welcomes the range of talent and knowledge of all individuals involved in the sport and in the wider community.

sportscotland promotes diversity and is supportive of individuals and organisations who take forward positive action towards increasing diversity.