Equality Act

 

The Equality Act 2010 draws nine separate pieces of legislation into a single Act. It simplifies and strengthens the law to help eliminate discrimination and inequalities.

 

The purpose of the Act is to protect people from discrimination on the basis of the 'protected characteristics' of:

• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Religion or belief (including lack of belief)
• Disability
• Sex
• Age
• Sexual orientation
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity

If you wish to know more about the Equality Act 2012, the Equality and Human Rights Commission have comprehensive information on their website, including details on the exceptions for sports clubs. The Sport and Recreation Alliance have also created an 'Equality Action Toolkit' which provides useful advice on dealing with the requirements.

 

Certain provisions in the Act may apply to some sports clubs if they meet the definition of an 'assocaition'. The Act specifies that it applies to associations which have 25 or more members and controls access to membership by rules involving a selection process, such as requiring new members to make a sponsored application. If this may apply to your club, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the additional guidance for private clubs and other associations.

 

 

Please see the Coaching section of the website for more information on disability and links to other organisations.