For the purposes of this policy ‘inclusion’ means access for all. It means recognising differences between individuals/groups and providing opportunities for them to participate in sport regardless of those differences, whether this is as a participant, coach, leader, official or volunteer.

BRJ Run and Tri embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible, and equitable. We want our club to be equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or social/economic status.

We will develop a focus on inclusion, not exclusion, and ensure that we provide appropriate advice to members and volunteers to ensure that everyone can participate as fully as possible.

The Inclusion Policy is intended to promote a change in attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate at our club.

We will seek to ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the characteristics protected by it (age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity) and encourage our members to do so. We will seek to include everyone regardless of whether they have a protected characteristic or not.

Our aim is to provide an environment where everyone feels:

  • Welcome
  • Represented
  • Valued
  • Understood
  • Included in decision making
  • Able to Participate
  • Safe and free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, and vilification

Aims

  • To promote ongoing, regular training to ensure all coaches, leaders, officials, volunteers, and event organisers have the knowledge and understanding of disability, equality and inclusion required to support the integration of inclusive practice into our core club group programmes and activities.
  • To contribute towards growing and sustaining numbers of people from under- represented groups participating within our club.
  • To promote inclusion within sport wherever possible and in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act.
  • To adopt inclusive practice within our training sessions, competitions and events.
  • To promote close working partnerships with relevant groups and organisations to support the development of inclusive practice within our club.

Commitment: We will

  • Not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation
  • Be pro-active in reducing the barriers to participation for under-represented groups
  • Consult with expert partners and other organisations to facilitate inclusive practices and remove barriers to participation.
  • Ensure under-represented groups are given the same opportunities to participate in all aspects of the club. Not only in training sessions but socially and at events
  • Provide opportunities for all in coaching, officiating and leadership positions.

There are a number of measures that we will take to ensure that we are working under the guidance of the Policy and within the requirements of the Equality Act (2010).

We will provide a welcoming environment

  • We will be positive and pro-active to enable us to include people, rather than focusing on potential barriers to their participation.
  • We will consider how our club is promoted. This includes providing information in formats which are accessible and by using appropriate imagery and image descriptions.
  • We will encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements to facilitate inclusion. We will ensure we consider all reasonable adjustments that could be made to enable them to participate.
  • We will provide guidance and training to key officials, coaches, leaders, and other volunteers to ensure they have the right knowledge and understanding in disability, equality and inclusive practices.

We will talk to people

  • We will, so far as is reasonably possible, consult with relevant groups and with prospective individuals about their needs, requirements and any adaptations that may be needed to enable them to participate.
  • We will never make assumptions and will speak to the individual about any reasonable adjustments they believe will enable them to participate in club activities.

We will make reasonable adjustments

  • We will demonstrate our commitment to inclusion by ensuring every effort has been made to enable everyone to participate, thereby showing our focus is inclusion, not exclusion.
  • We will demonstrate that every effort has been made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion not exclusion has been the priority.
  • If any reasonable adjustments are required to make an event/activity accessible, then we will make those reasonable adjustments.

Implementation of Policy

We will develop plans to implement and monitor the Inclusion Policy. These will be reviewed regularly by the Committee.