The FA is pleased to announce that Westmorland FA has achieved the Foundation Level of the Equality Standard, and were presented with their award at The FA Full Council on 17 October 2012.
The Equality Standard for Sport is a nationally recognised framework that assists County FAs with embedding equality at the highest level of their organisation, and communicating and sharing that commitment with its staff and its stakeholders.
It also provides a framework to review how a County FA is organised around equality in relation to its service delivery, workforce, policies, procedures, compliance against the Equality Act 2010 and the National Game Strategy’s four strategic goals and three enablers.
On notification of the award, Westmorland Chief Executive Peter Ducksbury said: “I am delighted Westmorland FA have achieved the Foundation Level of the National Standards for Equality.
“Achieving the Award represents a significant milestone for the Association and demonstrates good practice which is embedded within the organisation. The whole application process was enlightening as it highlighted our good work to make football accessible and inclusive in our sparse diverse population.”
The FA’s Equality Co-Ordinator Jonathan Mills added: “This is truly a milestone achievement for Westmorland FA, in consolidating and demonstrating its commitment to inclusive and diverse practices.
“We are sure this achievement will have a positive impact on all of the diverse participants who enjoy and play the game of football in Westmorland County.”
Louise Tideswell, the Equality Standards Advisor, concluded: "Westmorland FA has shown a clear understanding of how the national standard for equality can assist their organisation to be a beacon of good practice for equality in the football industry.
“The Foundational Level of the Standard has enabled them to be guided and supported through a process of change that embeds equality into the heart of their organisation, and lays the foundations to becoming an inclusive organisation and an employer of choice."
