Introduction
The Heatons Sports Club (HSC) aims to create an environment within sport in which no individual, group or organisation experiences discrimination or acts in a discriminatory manner on the basis of a Protected Characteristic (as defined in the Equality Act 2020 from time to time – which at the time of writing are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation).This Code therefore sets out discriminatory behaviour which, when carried out by a participant who is required to comply with it, will be a breach of the Code and may be sanctioned accordingly.
All Participants (as defined below) agree by virtue of their involvement in sport at the Heatons Sports Club to be bound by this Code and submit to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the relevant body which applies to them. All Members of the HSC must adopt and enforce the Code and enforce the provisions of the Code through their own actions or processes.
The Code may be amended from time to time by the HSC in its sole discretion, with such amendments coming into effect on the date specified by the HSC.
Breaches under the anti-discrimination code
Participant means:
(a) Members of the HSC
(b) employees, directors, officers, committee members, contractors and volunteers, in each
case, of the HSC;
(c) match officials;
(d) Coaches ;
(e) an individual taking part in a match or event and any other individual who becomes bound by this Code.
Example
Paragraph (e) above is intended to cover other individuals who attend events at the HSC to be bound by the code. For example the terms the terms of agreement for events or ticket terms and conditions for a person attending events that they must agree to.
1. It will be a breach of this Code for any Participant to:
1.1. act in any manner, make any omission, or engage in any conduct, which does, or is likely to, offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage and/or vilify any reasonable person, or group of people, based on, or by reference to, any Protected Characteristic; and/or
1.2. make any decision or any omission or do anything which might reasonably be deemed to discriminate against any person, or group of people, or to disadvantage that individual or group based on any Protected Characteristic unless permitted by law; and/or in instances where the Participant is an organisation
1.3. fail to provide an effective, timely and proportionate response to an alleged breach under paragraphs 1.1 and/or 1.2 above, carried out by any individual or organisation under the jurisdiction of the Participant.
2. The breaches referenced in paragraph 1 shall apply regardless of whether the Protected Characteristic(s) around which the breach is based applies to the person or people to whom the offending conduct is directed.
Example
If a player makes a homophobic comment directed at another player during a match, regardless of whether that other player belongs to the group referred to, this would amount to a breach of the Antidiscrimination Code.
3. Any breach of this Code may also constitute an offence or breach of other applicable laws, rules and/or regulations. This Code is intended to supplement such other laws, rules and regulations and is not intended, and may not be interpreted, construed or applied, to prejudice or undermine in any way the application of such other laws, rules and/or regulations. Participants therefore acknowledge and agree that this Code does not limit their responsibilities or obligations under other laws, rules and/or regulations