Chichester Triathlon Club (CTC) is committed to the principle of equality of opportunity and aims to ensure that all present and potential members, coaches, and volunteers are treated fairly and are able to fulfil their potential within the sport.
We promote a sport which is free from discrimination, harassment and prejudice and aim to be truly representative of all sections of society.
Legislation
The Equality Act 2010 is the main, overarching anti-discrimination law which CTC is required to follow and abide by to help ensure that equality of opportunity is promoted across all groups and that diversity is at the heart of all that we do.
CTC defines Equality and Diversity as:
Equality: treating everyone with fairness and respect and recognising and responding to the needs of individuals. Taking positive actions to address existing disadvantages and barriers affecting how people engage with and participate in triathlon.
Diversity: acknowledging and celebrating the differences between groups of people and between individuals.
The following characteristics are protected characteristics and it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because these:
• age • gender reassignment • being married or in a civil partnership • being pregnant or on maternity leave • disability • race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin • religion or belief (including no religion) • sex • sexual orientation.
You are protected from discrimination: • at work • in education • as a consumer • when using public services • when buying or renting property • as a member or guest of a private club or association.
You are legally protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010. You are also protected from discrimination if:
• you are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend • you have complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim.
Discrimination can come in one of the following forms:
Direct discrimination – is deliberately treating an individual less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic.
Indirect discrimination – putting rules or arrangements in place that apply to everyone, but that put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage.
Harassment – unwanted behaviour linked to a protected characteristic that violates an individual’s dignity or creating and intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. The focus is on the perception of the complainant not the intent of the perpetrator.
Victimisation – treating someone unfairly because they have complained about discrimination or harassment.
Discrimination by association – discrimination against someone because they are associated with another person who possesses a protected characteristic.
Discrimination by perception – discrimination against someone because of the belief that someone possesses a protected characteristic.
The policy’s purpose is to:
• Address and prevent any unlawful discrimination or other unfair treatment, whether intentional or unintentional, direct, or indirect, that may prevent anyone from participating fully in any aspect of triathlon.
• Provide equality, fairness, and respect for all in our members.
• Not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and gender identity and sexual orientation.
• Ensure that no sections of the community are denied the opportunity to participate and make progress in the sport of triathlon.
As a club CTC will aim to adhere to and promote British Triathlon Federation’s Equality and Diversity Policy in the following ways:
• Take positive actions as an organisation to promote a change in attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate in triathlon.
• Actively identify and reduce barriers to participation for under-represented groups in our community.
• Consult with BTF and other organisations to facilitate inclusive practices and remove barriers to participation.
• Ensure under-represented groups are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of triathlon.
• Provide opportunities for all in coaching, volunteering and committee positions.
• Consult with relevant groups and individuals about their needs and requirements.
• Demonstrate that every effort has been made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion has been the priority.
• Encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements to facilitate inclusion.
• To create a culture where all present and potential members, coaches, and volunteers feel comfortable raising concerns of any forms of discrimination and that action and support will be provided in line with this policy.
• Take seriously complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination by members.
• Ensure that coaches and committee members undergo appropriate equality training for their role to create a sporting environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all members and volunteers are recognised and valued.
• Ensure that all members are treated fairly.
To safeguard individual rights under this Policy any party within the triathlon community who believes they have suffered any form of discrimination or inequitable treatment may report the matter, anonymously if necessary, via concerns@britishtriathlon.org.
CTC is committed to ensuring that individuals feel able to raise any grievance and no party within the triathlon community will be penalised for doing so unless it is untrue and not made in good faith.
All members have a responsibility for upholding the action plan and policy. This policy will be reviewed every two years, unless any proposal to the Board, or legislation change, requires an interim review and/or amendment. This Equality Policy will remain in place until it is amended, replaced, or withdrawn.
