UK Sport is delighted to acknowledge the achievement of the RYA who have recently attained the Preliminary Level of the Equality Standard for Sport. The RYA became the first sport in the UK to successfully reach the Preliminary level on a single sport basis, which involved the RYA and the sailing governing bodies from each home country.

The Standard is a collaboration of the four Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport which guides sports equality. The Standard framework assists them in developing structures and processes, as well as assessing performance and ensuring continuous improvement.

Achieving the Preliminary Level means the RYA has demonstrated it is clear about what is needed to achieve equality, and has met four key outcomes:

• An understanding of the issues and barriers faced by under-represented groups
• A robust action plan for equality which all staff and key stakeholders understand
• Understanding of staff of the principles of equality and their role in delivering against the action plan
• Awareness and engagement of partner organisations in delivery of the action plan

UK Sport’s Head of Policy, Amanda Bennett, said: “The RYA are to be congratulated on this achievement which required significant collaboration across all four home nations. Their efforts and hard work have been rewarded as they have become the first national governing body to achieve this level on  a UK wide basis.”

Jackie Reid, HR and Administration Manager of the RYA, said: “My colleagues from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and I are thrilled that the RYA is recognised, not only as the ‘voice of boating’, but as an organisation whose services and programmes are inclusive and accessible to all, including under-represented groups, throughout the UK.  Our plan is to sustain and increase involvement in sailing for these groups.”

The Equality Standard for Sport is a framework, launched in 2004, for assisting sports organisations to widen access and reduce inequalities in sport for under-represented groups. It is based around two broad themes - developing your organisation and developing your services - and four levels of achievement; Foundation, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced.

Image: Paul Goodison of Great Britain 
Getty images