Purton Football Club

Equal Opportunities Policy

Index

1. Statement
2. Access for all

1. Statement

Purton Football Club (the Club) are committed to ensuring a policy of equal treatment for all members and requires all members of whatever level or authority and parents/guardians of members where applicable, to abide by and adhere to the general principle and requirements of the codes of practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.

All members  and parents/guardians of members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Specifically discrimination is prohibited by, but not limited to:

• Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favourably than others.
• Expecting an individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with requirement(s) for any reason whatsoever related to their membership, which are different from the requirements for others.
• Imposing on an individual requirements which are in effect more onerous on that individual than they are on others. For example, this would include applying a condition which makes it more difficult for members of a particular race or sex to comply than others not of that race or sex.
• Victimisation of an individual.
• Harassment of an individual, by virtue of discrimination.
• Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the disadvantaging of a member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds.

Thus, in all the Club’s recruitment, selection, promotion and training processes, as well as disciplinary matters, it is essential that merit, experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.

The Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage or loss (if necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination.

Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since discrimination in its many forms is against the Football Club’s policy, any members offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure.

The Club commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting assistance will be given, wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who request it.

2. Access for all

Over the years, many opportunities for people with disabilities to play football have been developed, but without any central co-ordination and with few links in to the rest of the football structures, and the work of The Football Association.

To help address this issue, and to provide quality playing and coaching opportunities for people with different disabilities, The Football Association has linked up with One2One, one of the Football Association sponsors, and the English Federation of Disability Sport - the national body responsible for developing sport and disabled people in England. They key outcome of this new partnership is the One2One Ability Counts football development programme, which also has the support of Sportsmatch.

One2One Ability Counts aims to:

• Prove that football is a game which can be played by everyone.
• Show that disabled people should not be excluded from playing football or treated less seriously.
• Actively increase the number of disabled people playing football in England.
• Raise the profile of football for disabled people.

The programme runs a wide range of activities. For young disabled people, the best new opportunities will come through a commitment to establish regular training sessions at football club throughout the country along with increased communication and liaison with local schools and disability groups.

To find out more about One2One Ability Counts and where your nearest playing opportunities are, call the English Federation of Disability Sport on 0161 247 5294 or visit their website at www.efds.net

Club Agreement with Equal Opportunities Policy

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