Equal Opportunities Officer Training

"Sports Equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them.

It's about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure that it becomes equally accessible to everyone in

society"

Sport England 2000

Session Outline

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Slide Title

• Who is disadvantaged in sport?• Barriers to participation• Challenging inequitable behaviour• Dealing with inequitable behaviour• Action plan for your role

Slide Title

Sheffield Hallam University Union of StudentsSports Union Clubs Model Constitution

8.6.1 To ensure that the Club is committed to equality of opportunity for all. 8.6.2 To ensure that the club has a clear and transparent selection policy for team selection or entry to a club activities.

8.6.3 To liaise with the Sports and Physical Activity Officer for equal opportunities on any issues.

Who is Disadvantaged in Sport?



Slide Title

Although many different groups of people are disadvantaged in sport. There are particular groups of people who generally experience discrimination on a more regular basis

• Disabled people• People from minority ethnic communities• Women and girls• Economically disadvantaged people• People of different ages• Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Remember: some people may fall into more than 1 category. These aren't the only ones. It's important to identify who these people are and seek advice

Barriers to Participation



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What do you think could be barriers to participation in your sport?

• Lack of awareness of activities on offer• Inconvenient times• Lack of spare time• Domestic/ work commitments taking priority• Inconvenient venues• Poor facilities• Lack of transport• Fear for personal safety travelling to/from venue• Expense of participation• Previous negative experiences (PE at school)• Lack of motivation• Parental attitudes and influences

Session Outline



Slide Title

Equality Strand Barriers

Disabled people AssumptionsLack of informed coachesPoor communicationPoor facilities

Minority Ethnic Groups Cultural/ Religious InfluencesFear of discriminationUnwelcoming environment

Women and Girls Practical - personal safety, lack of female coachesPersonal - body image, lack of confidence, peer-group pressuresocial and cultural -

People of Different Ages Attitudes of othersOther commitmentsLow self esteemPoor communication

Economically Disadvantaged People

Cost of activityInconvenient venue - travel costLow self-esteem

LGBT Attitudes of othersLow self-esteemFear of bullying

Task



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• Discuss in your groups the scenario on your table

• What would you propose to do if the situation arose at your club?

• How would you approach the situation?

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• Does your club have a trial process?• Does your club solely focus on training for competing in BUCS?

You are not being equitable to:

'Low ability' participants or beginners

Can you be more equitable?

• Is there capacity in your club to have development squads?• Can you have more teams (if not entered into BUCS, a local league?• Can you signpost them to other activity at the University?

Simple questioning at the sports fair can help filter out those who should trial, and those who should be signposted to 'recreation activity'. The way your club handles this should be done in an equitable way

Task



Slide Title

In your groups..

1. List equitable ways a club could handle 'low ability'/ beginners

2. List inequitable ways a club would handle 'low ability'/beginners

Challenging Inequitable Behaviour



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As Equal Opportunities Officer you have a responsibility to behave equitably yourself and promote equitable behaviour among your club members.

Type of Inequitable Behaviour

Examples

Verbal • Racist, sexist or homophobic language. • Ridicule or bullying because of a personal characteristic (e.g being

disabled)

Written All of the above written in some way (eg mobile phone text, social media)

Physical Action taken against somebody because of their race, gender, personal characteristics, sexuality. Examples include:

o Pushingo Punchingo bitingo Tripping up and pretending it was an accidento touching somebody inappropriatelyo stealing or destroying other people's propertyo excluding somebody from taking part

Dealing with Inequitable Behaviour



Slide Title

• Having a code of practice• Avoid confrontation• select the most appropriate time and place to challenge

inequitable behaviour• Be a good role model• Use language that is relevant, sensitive and appropriate• devise a way to punish persistent offenders• devise a way to reward fair play and equitable behaviour• Just because one person doesn't take offence, others might -

point this out.

If you feel you can't deal with a situation. Note down the problem and speak to Students' Union staff.

Your Role



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Action Plan:

• If someone feels discriminated. How can they make themselves heard?

– Will you introduce yourself as Equal Opps? Be approachable?– Promote how someone can contact you if they have a problem?– If you can't deal with the situation, do you know who to go to for help?

• How will you make sure your club understands equal opportunities?

– How are you going to share the information your learnt today?– What procedures are you going to put in place? already in place?

• Does your club have a selection policy? – Is it fair?– Who makes sure the policy is followed? (you? everyone?)

Equal Opportunities Officer Training

Documents

Transcript of Equal Opportunities Officer Training