UK Sport announced this week that British Swimming and the ASA have become the first sports bodies to achieve the Intermediate level of the Equality Standard for Sport.

The Standard is a collaboration of the four Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport, and is supported by the CCPR, the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, the English Federation of Disability Sport and Sporting Equals. It guides sport and community organisations towards achieving equality, and assists them in developing structures and processes, as well as assessing performance and ensuring continuous improvement.
 
Swimming is the first sport in the UK to reach the Intermediate level, having achieved the Preliminary level in 2006.

Evidence was submitted to independent Equality Standard Verifiers who decided that British Swimming and the ASA had demonstrated a longstanding commitment to equality and diversity with a wide range of innovative projects and activities initiated.

UK Sport’s Head of Policy, Amanda Bennett, said: “This is a tremendous achievement as the Intermediate level of the Equality Standard requires governing bodies to demonstrate they are increasing opportunities for a diverse range of people. It represents a significant challenge to sports organisations as they have to develop equality impact assessments and put schemes in place to attract new athletes, coaches, officials and leaders from diverse groups.”

David Sparkes, Chief Executive of British Swimming, said: “Swimming appeals to everyone and the work we have done in driving towards our Intermediate Equity Award shows that we are driving down barriers to encourage everyone to get engaged in the sport as an athlete, volunteer and coach.'