Inclusion

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The FA and Lincolnshire FA are here to ensure everyone who is involved in football, whether as participants, team members, volunteers, coaches, referees, office-bearers or those within the County Football Association, are able to, with fairness and respect, have a great experience and be involved in football – regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, ability or disability, faith or age.

Lincolnshire FA will ensure that everybody:

• has an equal opportunity to participate to the full extent of their own ambitions and abilities, without regard to their age, sex, gender identity, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion, race or ethnicity or sexual orientation; and

• can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and in particular that they are able to enjoy football without the threat of discrimination, intimidation, victimisation, harassment or abuse.

Both The FA and the County FAs are working to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be part of the game.

We will all work together on our inclusion priorities over the coming years. These are underpinned by three principles of change:

• Ensuring governance and leadership is diverse and modern. The approach to diverse and effective governance is demonstrated through the Board committing to a minimum of 30% male and 30% female representation on the Board. The current position is 57% male and 43% female. Alongside this, the Board will ensure diversity of thinking is represented within our governance by appointing a board member of 24 years or younger by 2025. The board will also endeavour to support diverse representation within our governance where possible.

• Removing any obstacles to access and progression in coaching, talent development or personal development pathways
• Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in our day-to-day operations

In order to make a difference, The FA is running and supporting leadership programmes for women, BAME and young people and will adhere to the Government’s code for governance in sport. We will also examine pathways and promote inclusion and access for coaches, welfare officers, club officials, league officials, players, coaches and tutors. We will challenge ourselves with measurable targets that deliver on diversity and inclusion outcomes. We will also work with a variety of stakeholders on topics such as mental health and LGBT to ensure that people feel safe and included in football.

please click here to download Lincolnshire FA's Equality Policy

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FA’S INCLUSION AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION WORK HERE

PRELIMINARY Level of the Equality Standard for Sport

In July 2023, Lincolnshire FA was successful in achieving the Preliminary Level of the Equality Standard for Sport.

The National Standard for Equality is a nationally recognised framework that helps address inequalities within the sport sector, by assisting Sports Governing Bodies to embed equality across their organisation, and communicate and share their commitment to inclusion with its staff, members, and partners.

LINCOLNSHIRE FA DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ACTION PLAN

In July 2023, Lincolnshire FA announced our three-year Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).

The DIAP supports the County FA in refining and further enhancing our approach to inclusion, ensuring that we have a robust, evidence-based, and unified approach to driving EDI within football in Lincolnshire.

The Lincolnshire FA Inclusion Advisory Group have agreed upon 5 key objectives that underpin the DIAP and will direct the County FA in ensuring Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are embedded across our Organisation.

Objective 1 – Ensure a Policy framework that is reviewed regularly and ensures the Lincolnshire FA drives ED&I throughout its governance.
Objective 2 – Use of Research and Data in order to underpin and achieve our objectives, including to track and improve the reporting of discrimination and abuse.
Objective 3 – Develop a Wide Portfolio of Inclusive Playing Opportunities
Objective 4 – Develop our Internal and External Workforce to ensure ED&I is driven across the football landscape
Objective 5 – Utilise appropriate marketing and communications to engage with a broad and diverse audience