Cumbria Sport Achieve Equality Standard

13th June 2007

Cumbria Sport Partnership is pleased to announce that it has achieved the foundation level of the Equality Standards for Sport.

The Partnership has recently been through a lengthy application and assessment process where a UK Panel assessed a large equity standard evidence portfolio submitted by Cumbria Sport Partnership. The Partnerships dedication and commitment to championing equity and diversity was rewarded by the Partnership being awarded the Foundation Level.

The Equality Standard has been developed by UK Sport and the four home nation Sports Councils and is supported by the Central Council for Physical Recreation, Women's Sports Foundation, Sporting Equals and the English Federation of Disability Sport. It is a framework for assisting sports organisations to widen access and reduce inequalities in sport and physical activity from under representative individuals, groups and communities especially women and girls, ethnic minority groups and disabled people. It is based around two broad themes: developing your organisation and developing your services and four levels of achievement: Foundation, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced.

To be awarded the Foundation level of the Standard, organisations must demonstrate that they are committed to equality. Practically, this involves taking action, including the publication and communication of an equality policy, setting accountability for equity at a senior level, and taking steps to better understand the equity position and profile of the organisation.
The Cumbria Sport Partnership is currently drafting an organisational action plan to support the work on equality and diversity, and will continue to work towards the preliminarily level of the Equality Standard for Sport.

Chris Athersmith, Chair of the Cumbria Sport Board, said, "This is an amazing achievement for Cumbria Sport Partnership and we are pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to Equality through our work in achieving the Equality Standard".

Cumbria Sport Partnerships Development Officer for Equality and Disability Sport said: "We have made significant strides in ensuring equity is at the heart of everything we do. Achieving the Foundation Level of the Equality Standard demonstrates our commitment to equity and diversity. The Equality Standard is a long term process and framework that will assist our organisations to remove barriers which create disadvantages and discrimination. Our aim now is to improve our commitment to equality by completing the 'Preliminary Level' of the Equality Standard for the September 2007 submissions and to increase opportunities to ensure that everyone is able to take part in and enjoy sport and physical activity as part of their everyday lives".

For more information about the Equality Standard and Equality in Sport please contact Bruce Lawson, Development Manager (Sporting Infrastructure) at Cumbria Sport Partnership, on 01228 601254.

The Equality Standard website can be visited at www.equalitystandard.org.