Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Football is open and accessible for all
Equality Statement
Our commitment to Equality…
Staffordshire FA recognises that individuals and communities may experience unlawful discrimination on the grounds of their sex, age, disability, ethnicity (including nationality and race), gender-reassignment, sexual orientation, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership status
We believe that equal opportunities for all is a basic human right and actively oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. We aim to actively celebrate the diversity of society, especially within Staffordshire and are striving to promote and reflect this diversity within the Association’s structure and developments.
At Staffordshire FA we are committed to increasing opportunities for all and increase the involvement of all diverse communities at all levels of football by taking positive steps to address any barriers. Equality and Inclusion has become and is instilled as an integral part of all the work that we do at Staffordshire FA.
Staffordshire FA are proud to have achieved and maintained the Foundation Level of the Equality Standard. The Staffordshire FA was awarded the Foundation Level in 2010, to recognise the work that has taken place to develop equality practices within our organisation and throughout our delivery within Staffordshire, in extension to this we are currently working towards achieving the Preliminary Level in 2022.
In 2017 the Staffordshire FA developed an Inclusion Advisory Group to assist the County FA in providing a service that focuses on engaging all communities, addressing positive interventions and developing meaningful responses to local priorities.
It is paramount that equality and inclusion is incorporated into our project planning, organisation and delivery by our staff to develop football, increase participation & embed inclusion throughout all areas of the game. The Staffordshire FA Inclusion Action Plan will outline the actions that the Association takes to ensure equality of opportunity for everyone involved within the game. The Staffordshire FA Strategy 21-24 ensures Inclusion is at the core of all our strategic objectives.
Staffordshire FA Equality Policy is available to download at links below.
For more information on Staffordshire FA Equality Policy click here
For more information on the FA’s Commitment to equality please go to: //www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/inclusion-and-anti-discrimination
If you are looking to report a discriminatory incident, please click here
For more information on Faith in Football, please follow this link: //www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/inclusion-and-anti-discrimination/including-different-faith-backgrounds
Rainbow Laces
The FA and the County FA network are delighted to be a part of the Rainbow Laces Campaign.
RAMADAN & FOOTBALL
The FA has released 2021 guidance notes for Ramadan and Football. The annual guide includes information on how fasting and other lifestyle changes during this period may impact participants across adult and youth football, with advice on exercise and nutrition for practising Muslims, as well as guidance for non-Muslim players and staff to ensure their footballing environment is as inclusive and welcoming as possible.
The guidance was created with input from the Al-Khoei Foundation, the Ramadan Tent Project and Crystal Palace FC’s Dr Zaf Iqbal, and is supported by Kick It Out and the PFA.
To download, please click the link below.
FA RAMADAN GUIDANCE NOTES
BEST PRACTICE DOCUMENTS
For this year’s Holy Month, Layla Banaras, an academy player for Birmingham City FC, has produced a Ramadan Nutrition Guide and Meal Planner to assist Muslim athletes in the game. With the help from a sports nutritionist, her coaches and club and the PFA, the documents were produced to better inform Muslim athletes about what, when and why they’re eating and have a place to record their meals and moods. To download copies of these documents, please use the links below.
LAYLA NUTRITION GUIDE
LAYLA MEAL PLANNER
Inclusion Advisory Group
Staffordshire FA has created an Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) to oversee the wider aspect of Equality in relation to the County FA Business. The IAG will enable Staffordshire FA to consult with diverse communities, and ensure that the services we provide meet any gaps in provision and are relevant to the needs of our local football communities.
Asian Inclusion Plan FAQs
Please read the FAQs via the link below to learn more about The FA's Asian Inclusion Plan.
Want to find out more?
Whether you are wanting to start an inclusive session, or participate in inclusive football, there are plenty of options available. You can visit the Disability, Girls and Women's area of our website, or you can contact our Football Development Officer (Inclusion) for any other inclusion queries.
The FA and County FA's are committed to tackling all discriminatory actions. There are two ways to report any issue that you may be concerned about.
1. by contacting the Staffordshire FA Discipline Officer
2. by using the Kick It Out reporting app.
Inclusion in football is about making sure everyone has a chance to be involved regardless of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, martial status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, ability or disability.