UK Sport launches review into code of sports governance over need to diversify organisations

Joint-review alongside Sport England will look to ensure greater representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, female and those with disability

Monday 13 July 2020 07:36 EDT
Comments
Raheem Sterling says racism is 'the only disease in the world right now'

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

UK Sport is "particularly mindful" of the need to diversify the boards of sporting organisations, insisted chief operating officer Simon Morton.

An immediate joint review alongside Sport England is being launched, focusing on potential changes to the Code of Sports Governance.

The main factor of the review will be the make-up of boards, with Morton stressing the need for them to be reflective of society.

"National governing bodies have delivered a huge amount of positive change since the introduction of the Code for Sports Governance," he said.

"However, it has always been our intention to review the Code at the end of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic cycle, in order to consider whether there are areas in which it can be enhanced.

"We are particularly mindful of the need to ensure that boards are reflective of society across the UK. We've seen the power of the Code to effect positive change to the gender balance of sports boards, and its right that we consider how this approach can be broadened.

"Our desire to conduct a substantive review of the way in which the Code can help to drive equality and diversity, forms an important part of our commitment to creating a high performance system that is truly inclusive."

In a statement confirming the forthcoming review, UK Sport and Sport England identified the three key areas that will be focused on.

A 'substansive review' of elements of the Code including those that focus on 'the boards of sporting organisations, aimed at ensuring greater representation of those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with a disability or long-term health condition, and female representation' will be undertaken.

There will also be a "general review" of the other elements of the Code and a "check against current governance best practice" from when the Code was launched three years ago.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in