SPORTIFY FOOTBALL CLUB welcomes all individuals to participate in soccer and believes that embracing differences while removing barriers to promote diversity and equity and foster inclusion, is integral to serving the wider soccer community. The purpose of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral parts of soccer in British Columbia.
DEFINITIONS
- Gender – refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a society assigns to masculinity or femininity.
- Diversity – Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, indigeneity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religion, national origin, political beliefs, body type, athletic ability, ancestry, colour, citizenship, creed, disability, family or marital status. Diversity embraces people’s characteristics and qualities, unique backgrounds, experiences and ways of relating to one another.
- Equity – Equity recognizes that individuals do not always ‘start at the same place’ due to different advantages, challenges or barriers that exist. Equity is taking action to make the appropriate modifications to provide everyone access to the same opportunities.
- Inclusion – Inclusion is when everyone feels welcome and has a sense of belonging.
- Annual Self-Assessment & Community Feedback: The club will conduct an annual self-assessment of its DEI efforts and solicit anonymous feedback from members, participants, and staff to inform and improve inclusive practices.
- Inclusive Policy and Program Development: The club is committed to considering the diversity of its membership—including race, gender identity, age, ability, and cultural background—when developing and reviewing policies, programs, and internal operations.
- Adoption of Canada Soccer’s Guide to Accessibility and Inclusion: The club will review and implement relevant initiatives from the Canada Soccer Guide to Accessibility and Inclusion, integrating accessibility measures in facilities, communications, and programming.
- Board and Staff DEI Training: All board members and staff will participate in diversity and inclusion training.
- Accommodation Practices: The club will consider making accommodations for individuals were doing so would support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Inclusive Engagement with the Soccer Community: The club will actively invite and include diverse voices from within the soccer community, particularly underrepresented groups, in decision-making, planning, and program design.
- Education and Resources for Members: The club will support DEI-focused education for players, parents, coaches, and volunteers, including resources such as inclusive language guides, accessibility tips, and anti-discrimination policies.
- Gender-Balanced Leadership Commitment: The club will encourage to gender-balanced representation on its Board of Directors and will try to, with no more than 60% of any one gender occupying leadership roles. Active outreach and recruitment will support this objective.