The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport English National Governing Bodies Self Assessment Survey Report prepared for Sport England By Chris Hudson

The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport

English National Governing BodiesSelf Assessment Survey

Report prepared for

Sport England

By Chris Hudson and Maxine BarlowSport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University

[email protected] tel: 0114 225 2546

April 2005

2

Contents

Slide No.The Equality Standard for Sport 3Research Aims 4Outline of Methodology 5Project Outputs 6

SURVEY FINDINGS 7

Section 1. Current position of NGBs 8 - 17(Survey questions 1 – 7)

Section 2. Demographic Profiles 18 - 24(Survey questions 8 – 10)

Section 3. Perceived benefits of gaining the Standard 26 - 38(Survey question 11)

Section . Challenges faced and assistance required 39- 43(Survey questions 12 – 15)

3

The Equality Standard for Sport

Sports equality is about fairness in sport, equality of access,recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is aboutchanging the culture and structure of sport to ensure that it becomesequally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, ability,gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or socio-economic status.

The aim of the Standard is to provide a framework for sport to achieveequality and to assist agencies to develop structures and processes,assess performance and ensure continuous improvement. Achieving thisaim will help to realise the vision of fair, accessible and high quality sportand physical activity for all.

Source: Equality Standard for Sport. Sport England 2004.

4

Research Aim

• The purpose of the survey was to gather the thoughts of the Chief Executive of each National Governing Body (NGB) on the current standing of their organisation with regards to equality.

• The survey was designed to assess how well NGBs are placed to undertake the work necessary to achieve the Equality Standard in the coming months.

• Each Chief Executive provided an insight into the biggest challenges for the NGB individually and any assistance required in working towards the Standard.

• Finally, the respondents were asked to consider any possible benefits their

organisation might derive from achieving the Equality Standard.

5

Outline of Methodology

• Specific sports identified by Sport England as priority development sports have been tasked with achieving the Equality Standard preliminary award by April 2006. This provided a sample of 24 NGBs for the research.

• The survey was undertaken by telephone with all those English NGBs. This was to ensure the best possible response rate from the small number of NGBs in the sample. As a result of the pro-active efforts of everyone involved a 100% responses rate was achieved.

• The Chief Executive of each NGB was asked to take part. They were first sent a covering letter and a copy of the survey questions in advance. A Researcher then contacted them by email or telephone to arrange a convenient date and time to undertake the survey by telephone, which then took place on the agreed date.

• SPSS was the statistical package used to code and analyse the data and produce the headline findings presented in this report.

6

Project Outputs

The outputs of the survey are twofold:

• This summary report of the findings provides a statement of the current position and perceptions of the 24 English NGBs as reported by them.

• An individual self assessment statement for each of the participating NGBs has also been produced and provided separately to Sport England. These can be used to ensure the support available to assist NGBs working towards the Equality Standard is tailored and targeted where most needed.

In addition, the survey results form the basis for a repeat of the same survey to be conducted in two years time (i.e. after the participating NGBs have gained the Standard). This will allow a comparison of the impact the Equality Standard has had to be made.

7

Survey Findings

The findings are structured into four sections which present the following:

Section 1. The current position of NGBs

Section 2. The demographic profiles of the membership, staff and National Council/Board

Section 3. Any perceived potential effects and benefits of gaining the Equality Standard

Section 4. Challenges to overcome and assistance required

All quantitative responses were measured on a scale of 1 – 4

1 represents ‘not at all’ and 4 represents ‘greatly’

8

Section 1The current position of National Governing Bodies regarding equality and the implementation of the

Equality Standard

9

Chart 1. Desire to ensure NGB operates equitably The extent to which your Governing Body has the DESIRE to ensure

it operates equitably

0.0%

5.0%

19.0%

76.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

1 Not at all 2 3 4 Greatly

10

Chart 2. Necessary knowledge to ensure NGB operates equitably The extent to which your Governing Body has the NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE

to ensure it operates equitably

0.0%

14.0%

67.0%

19.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%


11

Chart 3. Necessary human resources to ensure NGB operates equitably

The extent to which your Governing Body has the HUMAN RESOURCES to ensure it operates equitably

0.0%

48.0%

43.0%

9.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%


12

Chart 4. Necessary financial resources to ensure NGB operates equitably.

The extent to which your Governing Body has the FINANCIAL RESOURCES to ensure it operates equitably

0.0%

19.0%

5.0%

9.0%

67.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

1 Not at all 2 3 4 Greatly Missing

13

Chart 5. How equitable is your NGB?

How equitable is your Governing Body as a whole at this moment in time?

0.0%

29.0%

43.0%

28.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%


14

Chart 6. To what extent is your NGB committed to equality? The extent to which your Governing Body is committed to equality

0.0% 0.0%

33.0%

67.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%


15

Chart 7. Understanding issues faced by under-represented groups The extent to which your Governing Body understand the issues faced

by under-represented groups

0.0%

24.0%

67.0%

9.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%


16

Chart 8. Comparison of responses from Questions 1 – 7

Current position of NGBs overall

5.0%

24.0%

48.0%

19.0%

33.0%

43.0%

76.0%

67.0%

14.0%

29.0%

19.0%

43.0%

67.0%67.0%

9.0% 9.0%

5.0%

67.0%

19.0%

28.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

Desire to operateequitably

How committed isNGB?

Knowledge How equitable isNGB?

Understandingunder-represented

groups

Human Resources Financial Resources


17

Summary of current position of NGBs

• NGBs expressed a high level of desire to work equitably, a high commitment to equality and an encouraging level of knowledge to ensure they operated equitably.

• This was balanced by fewer NGBs having the available human and financial resources.

• The area of greatest need is lack of available of financial resources to assist with implementing the standard – as indicated by over two thirds of NGBs (67%)

• Overall, the reported position of English NGBs can be stated as being very committed to equality, fairly well informed, but lacking resources to make it happen.

• It is notable that 76% of NGBs stated they are fairly (i.e. score 3) or greatly equitable at this moment in time. This contrasts with the findings regarding demographic profile in the next section.

18

Section 2 The demographic profiles of NGBs membership, staff and National Council/Board with regard to

gender, ethnicity and disability

19

Chart 9. To what extent does the demographic profile ofyour Membership reflect the population as a whole?

The extent to which the demographic profile of the MEMBERSHIP reflects the population

19.0%

33.0%

10.0% 10.0%

14.0%

19.0%

14.0% 15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

10.0%

27.0%28.0%

38.0%

48.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

1 Not at all 2 3 4 Greatly Data not available

Disability Gender Ethnicity

Some significant gender representation (38% ‘greatly’ represented)

Low levels of disability membership (19% ‘not at all’ represented)

Lowest level of membership representation amongst ethnic groups

Over a quarter of NGBs did not have disability/ethnicity information available

20

Chart 10. To what extent does the Demographic profile of your National Council/Board reflect the population as a whole?

The extent to which the demographic profile of the NATIONAL COUNCIL/BOARD reflects the population

62.0%

19.0%

10.0% 9.0%

29.0%

24.0%

28.0%

19.0%

57.0%

19.0%

5.0%

10.0% 9.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%



A majority of NGBs stated that people with a disability and people from ethnic groups were ‘not at all’ represented on their National Council/Board.

Gender representation varied significantly across NGBs.

21

Chart 11. To what extent does the Demographic profile of your staff reflect the population as a whole?

The extent to which the demographic profile of the STAFF reflects the population

52.0%

24.0%

5.0% 5.0%

14.0%

5.0%

33.0%

62.0%

33.0% 33.0%

15.0%

19.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%



Very low levels of ethnicity and disability representation amongst staff

High gender representation – 62% ‘greatly’ represented

22

Chart 12: Demographic profile in terms of disability

How people with a disability are represented within NGB structures - membership, national council/board, staff

19.0%

62.0%

52.0%

33.0%

19.0%

24.0%

10.0% 10.0%

5.0%

10.0%

5.0%

28.0%

9.0%

14.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Membership National Council/Board Staff


Low levels of disability representation, particularly on National Council and amongst staff.

23

Chart 13: Demographic profile in terms of gender

How females are represented within NGB structures - membership, national council/board, staff

14.0%

29.0%

19.0%

24.0%

5.0%

14.0%

33.0%

19.0%

62.0%

15.0%

28.0%

38.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%



62% of NGBs reported that females were ‘greatly’ represented on their staff

Proportionately lower levels of female representation at National Council/Board level

24

Chart 14: Demographic profile in terms of ethnicity

How people from different ethnic groups are represented within NGB structures - membership, national council/board, staff

10.0%

57.0%

33.0%

48.0%

19.0%

33.0%

5.0% 5.0%

15.0%

10.0% 10.0%

19.0%

27.0%

9.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%



Low levels of ethnicity representation across all three categories with the

highest representation amongst NGB staff and the lowest at National Council/Board level

25

Demographic Profile SummaryGender:• There are some encouraging levels of gender representation:

– amongst NGB membership, ‘greatly’ represented in 38% of NGBs– amongst NGB staff, almost two thirds of NGBs (62%) ‘greatly’ represented

• However, there are proportionately lower levels of female representation at National Council/Board level

Disability:• Low levels of disability membership ('not at all’ represented in 19% of NGBs)• 62% of NGBs stated that people with a disability were ‘not at all’ represented on their

National Council/Board• 52% of NGBs stated that people with a disability were ‘not at all’ represented on their

staff

Ethnicity:• Low level of membership representation amongst ethnic groups • 57% of NGBs stated that people from different ethnic groups were ‘not at all’

represented on their National Council/Board• Varied ethnicity representation amongst NGB staff ranging from 33% ‘not at all’

represented to 19% ‘greatly’ represented

Over a quarter of NGBs did not have disability/ethnicity information available.

26

Section 3The reported potential effects and benefits of the working towards gaining the Equality Standard

27

Chart 15: Providing a frameworkTo what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……..

Provide a framework for achiving equality in sport

0.0%

19.0%

29.0%

43.0%

9.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

50.0%

1 Not at all 2 3 4 Greatly Don't know

28

Chart 16: Ensuring democracyTo what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……..

Ensure democracy and the sound governance of the sport

9.0%

4.0%

29.0%29.0%29.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%


29

Chart 17: Increase participationTo what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……..

Increase participation by reaching new audiences

10.0%

33.0%

9.0%

48.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%


30

Chart 18: Meet legal duties

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……..Meet legal duties thereby reducing the likelihood of litigation

5.0%

10.0%

52.0%

24.0%

9.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

1 Not at all 2 3 4 Greatly Don't Know

31

Chart 19: Enhance skills & knowledge

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to...Enhance the skills and knowledge base of staff & volunteers

0.0%

24.0%

48.0%

28.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%


32

Chart 20: Increase active involvement

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……Increase active involvement in equality at every level

5.0%

19.0%

52.0%

24.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%


33

Chart 21: Improve equality through monitoring/evaluation

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……Improve equality practices through monitoring, evaluation & review methods

0.0% 0.0%

71.0%

29.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%


34

Chart 22: Access funding & sponsorship

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……Improve your chances of accessing funding & sponsorship

10.0%

33.0%

29.0%

24.0%

4.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

1 Not at all 2 3 4 Greatly Don't Know

35

Chart 23: Build on good practice

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……Build on existing good practice in equality

0.0%

5.0%

57.0%

38.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%


36

Chart 24: Review current policy

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……Assess and review current equality policy

0.0%

5.0%

57.0%

38.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%


37

Chart 25: Review equality achievements

To what extent do you anticipate working towards the Standard will help to……Assess and review equality performance & achievements

0.0%

14.0%

38.0%

48.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%


38

Chart 26: Comparison of responses to Question 11 – Anticipating the impact of the Standard

Current position of NGBs overall

57.0%

48.0%

43.0%

29.0%

9.0%

24.0%24.0%

28.0%

24.0%

29.0%

38.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%


Percentages shown for the score of 4 = the Equality Standard will help 'greatly'

39

Section 4The challenges to be overcome in working towards

the Equality Standard and assistance required

40

What are the major challenges that National Governing Bodies face in working towards the Standard?

• Some NGBs face difficulties in engaging volunteers with the principles of equality and compliance with the standard. This is made particularly difficult since NGBs do not have direct access to this group and rely on dissemination of information via clubs.

• There appears to be difficulties associated in ensuring that equality is a priority at a variety of levels: NGB board, clubs, individual members.

• Resources appeared to be a barrier to implementation of the policy both in terms of finance and officer time.

• There is a need for the collation of accurate data on membership and demographic profile in order to establish a baseline against the standard. There exists a current lack of clarity in both the articulation of the targets and the availability of specific data to monitor compliance e.g. ethnicity and gender. In addition some NGBs seem to be finding it difficult to influence changes in the demographics of their membership and staffing, especially in relation to ethnicity and gender.

41

What assistance do NGBs requirein order to address the challenges?

1. There is a demand from the NGBs for:

- External assistance through central guidance and specialist advise at a local level.

- Centrally produced materials and supporting resources including generic information, specific information for individual sports (this was acknowledged to be potentially costly) and mechanisms for sharing of good practice

2. The NGBs would like to see better evidence of commitment, direction and guidance from a strategic level, starting with the Government through to UK Sport and Sport England.

3. There appears to be a need for training on a number of issues: awareness of the standard, the audit process and how to inform/influence the membership and volunteers on the issues.

42

What are the benefits that you believe NGBs may accrue from gaining the Equality Standard?

• Promotional opportunities to increase the profile and importance of equity and diversity in sport among the public at large.

• Real opportunities to increase participation in sport, especially among poorly represented groups, resulting form the changes in policy and practice.

• Accessing new funding opportunities which may emerge as a result of our organisations being more inclusive.

• An increased understanding and awareness of equity and diversity within sport.

43

Chart 27: Level of Equality Standard

33% 33%

14%

20%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Nu

mb

er o

f Res

po

nse

s (2

1 N

GB

s in

tot

al)

Foundation Preliminary Intermediate Advanced Don’t Know

What level of the Equality Standard do you think your Governing Body can realistically achieve by March 2006?

33% of NGBs anticipate reaching both the Preliminary and Intermediate levels by March 2006. 14% (3 NGBs) anticipate reaching Advanced level, the remaining 20% did not know.

44

Acknowledgements

Sport England would like to place on record their appreciation of all the National Governing Bodies who took part in this survey:

All England Netball Association Amateur Boxing Association

Badminton Association of England British Baseball Federation

British Mountaineering Association English Golf Union

England Hockey England Squash

England Basketball English Lacrosse Association

English Karate English Volleyball

English Table Tennis Association England and Wales Cricket Board

Lawn Tennis Association National Federation of Anglers

National Federation of Sea Anglers Rugby Football Union

Rugby Football League Salmon and Trout Association

The Football Association

Documents

The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport English National Governing Bodies Self Assessment Survey Report prepared for Sport England By Chris Hudson