Equality and diversity at the ASA

The ASA is totally committed to the principles and practice of equal opportunities across all of its aquatic disciplines, both as an employer, provider and as a facilitator of such practices by all its members.

The ASA and British Swimming are holders of the Intermediate Level of the Equality Standard for Sport, a framework which guides sports and community organisations towards achieving equality.

In our work with key partners, such as swimmers, clubs, teachers, coaches, officials and administrators, we will advocate our policies and make every effort to ensure that all participation has equality at its core.

The 2009 audit of the equality and diversity representation of the ASA shows that the current membership broadly reflects the ethnic population profile of England. Also there has been a slow but steady growth in increasing membership throughout all ethnic groupings. 

Swimming is a 'sport for all'. It can and should be enjoyed and made accessible to everyone and to achieve this:

• The ASA is committed to work towards ensuring that swimming is accessible to the many rather than the few.
• The ASA recognises the need to acknowledge the diversity of provision that is required to ensure that all people, regardless of their race, sex/gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, social or economic background can access swimming and develop at a level appropriate to them.
• The ASA recognises the need to celebrate difference and diversity of provision as a means of creating entitlement and accessibility to our structures.
• The ASA recognises that equal opportunity is about recognising that people are different and therefore require different provision.
• The ASA recognises the need to consult widely in order to respond to diversity.

The ASA and British Swimming are holders of the Intermediate Level of the Equality Standard for Sport, a framework which guides sports and community organisations towards achieving equality. We are continuing to work with our partners to engage a wider range of communities and affect change on a local level as part of our strategy to achieve the Advanced Level by 2013.

In August 2006, British Swimming became the first British sports governing body to achieve the Preliminary level of the Equality Standard for Sport.

In February 2005, the ASA was awarded the Sporting Equals Racial Equality Standard Intermediate level.

Please find below useful documents produced by the ASA on equality and diversity matters:

• Swimwear and Equality: A Guidance Note