Equality and Diversity at the ASA
The ASA is fully committed to the principles and practice of equality of opportunity for all. We consider the aquatic disciplines to provide “sport for all”. They can and should be made accessible to everyone, to the greatest extent possible.
- Our full policy statement can be downloaded here.
- A report of some of our work in 2012 can be downloaded here.
Holder of Equality Standards
To support and supplement its objectives in this area, the ASA is working to achieve the Equality Standards for Sport, established by the Sports Councils as a bench mark for sports governing bodies to which they provide funding.
The ASA is already the proud holder of the Foundation, Preliminary and Intermediate Standards for Equality and is committed to obtaining the Advanced Standard.
For further information about the Standards, please visit their website. Alternatively, the ASA can be contacted on equality@swimming.org or via 01509 640270.
Proud Signatory to the Charter For Action
As part of its commitment to equality and diversity, the ASA is proud to join with other leading names in Sport to sign the Charter for Action. The Charter aims to make sport a welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
As a signatory, the ASA is committed to the Charter’s 4 principles:
- We believe that everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy sport – whoever they are and whatever their background.
- We believe that sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity. Sport teaches individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment and brings together people with a common goal.
- We are committed to making these values a reality for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people. We will work together and individually to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia.
- We will make sort a welcoming place for everyone – for those participating in sport, those attending sporting events and those working or volunteering in sports at any level. We will work with all these groups to ensure they have a voice and to challenge unacceptable behaviour.
The Charter is open to everyone to sign and we would encourage ASA Clubs and members to show their support by signing up too. Please note that in line with the ASA’s Social Networking Good Practice Guidelines, we would advise that only over 18 year olds directly access the resource or are encouraged to access it. Further information about the Charter is available from the Useful Equality Resources for Clubs page.
Active on the Ground
Much of the work of the ASA promotes equality of access to the aquatic disciplines, either through dedicated programmes or through the promotion of core equality values in other work. Below are just some recent examples.
Through a partnership of organisations, including the ASA, the Playground to Podium works with talented young disabled people, to enable them to progress from PE and community sport to high-level performance and competition. Below swimmers and clubs share their stories:
The English Federation of Disability Sport is the strategic lead for Playground to Podium. Further information is available from their website.
The ASA also produces many inspiring articles as to the general benefits of swimming. Below are just a few recent examples:
- An article by Claire Freeman for Posability Magazine, entitled “Come on in the water’s lovely”.
- Stories to inspire - “Disability proves no barrier for Swimathon achievement”.
Looking for practical resources for use in your club?
The ASA produces an array of useful guidance and useful Best Practice template for use by clubs and members.
- They can be accessed on the Useful Equality Resources for Clubs.
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