Durham Sport Partnership has been awarded Foundation Level of the Equality Standard for Sport - a ‘Quality mark’ recognising sports organisations that understand the importance of reducing inequalities existing within sport and physical activity.

To obtain this official recognition, Durham Sport had to take account of the needs of different groups or communities within a given priority group and adopt the recommended practices of equal opportunities and managing diversity.

This practice was also extended to the workplace where employees were encouraged to

Address issues of fairness and the way in which services are allocated and delivered, whilst acknowledging and respecting diversity for colleagues and those who participate in sport.

The Equality Standard is a national framework for assisting sports organisations to widen access and reduce inequalities in sport and physical activity from under represented individuals, groups and communities, especially women and girls, ethnic minority groups and disabled people.

Steve Howell, Durham Sport Partnership Executive Director says: “The Durham Sport Partnership is fully committed to equality in sport and physical activity and acknowledges the importance of addressing and inequalities that currently exist within our region.”

The partnership also accepts the need to influence the culture and structure of sport to ensure that opportunities are made available to all, no matter their age, background, race or religious beliefs.

Research shows that priority groups are often under represented within sport and physical activity, both in terms of their participation levels and the infrastructure.

Steve Howell continues: “By using the Equality Standard for Sport as a tool of improvement we aim to impact on all under represented groups, giving them the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity at all levels"

Judith Rasmussen, regional director at Sport England North East, says: “This award highlights the efforts of Durham Sport’s determination and commitment to making sport as accessible as possible for people in our region and we are pleased to be able to recognise and reward such excellence. We congratulate them on what is a great achievement.”

Sport England works to create opportunities for people to excel and succeed in sport at every level through funding community projects.

For more information about Sport England North East visit: www.sportengland.org
Issued on behalf of Sport England North East by Robson Brown

For further information please contact:
Sandy Mitchell in the Durham Sport Office on (0191) 301 8585. or
Lisa Ingledew on (0191) 244 6685, lisai@robson-brown.co.uk  or
Lyndsay Cantu on (0191) 244 6646, lyndsayc@robson-brown.co.uk