Equity

What is Sports Equity?

‘Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structures of sport to ensure that it becomes equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or social/economic status.’

Active Partnerships are committed to being anti-racist organisations and proactively tackling the racial inequalities that prevent or discourage people from leading active lives and enjoying the benefits of sport and physical activity, whether as participants, volunteers or by working in the sector.

Transgender Guidance

On Wednesday 16 April 2025 the UK’s Supreme Court announced the ruling that the interpretation of the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. The ruling also states that transgender people still have legal protection from discrimination and harassment through the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. This ruling has prompted further review of the current sector guidance published by ukactive and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

In the interim period, it is suggested that facility operators manage situations on a case-by-case basis, acting with sensitivity and understanding to continue to ensure all customers are treated with dignity and respect, and are supported while policies are under review. The  Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) states that employers and other duty-bearers must follow the law and should take appropriate specialist legal advice where necessary.

On the 16 April 2026 the EHRC received feedback on the updated Code from the UK government.  Having considered this feedback, alongside consultation responses and further legal analysis, they have made some adjustments where they help the Code to provide guidance that is practical, legally accurate and useful.  The updated Code has now been sent to the Secretary of State to approve. Once this has happened, it can be laid in Parliament.

Please refer to the interim guidance available here provided by the EHRC until full guidance is provided.

Our Commitment to Sports Equity

The Partnership is committed to deliver, influence and advocate positive change in sport and physical activity in the Tees Valley.

Statement of Intent

• Tees Valley Sport is fully committed to the principles and practice of equality of opportunity in all of its functions. In line with the host organisation Teesside University, Tees Valley Sport is responsible for ensuring that no job applicant, employee, volunteer, service user, member or person within its jurisdiction (together referred to as Stakeholders) are unlawfully discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation (together the “Protected Characteristics under the Equality Act 2010”) or any other relevant characteristic.
• In addition, Tees Valley Sport recognises that that we live in a diverse society and will endeavour to ensure that all Stakeholders are given the same opportunities regardless of their protected characteristics and or socio-economic backgrounds.
• Tees Valley Sport will ensure that there will be open access to all those who wish to participate in all aspects of sport and physical activity and that they are treated fairly.
• Tees Valley Sport aims to be a caring, fair and supportive institution which seeks to optimise and enhance the experience if its staff, partners and external clients. It aims to build a culture that values being open, transparent, honest and reflective.
• To that end all employees, volunteers, clients, members, suppliers and contractors whether permanent or temporary are responsible for the promotion and advancement of this Equality Policy. Tees Valley Sport will also encourage partner organisations to adopt and demonstrate their commitment to the principles and practice of equality as set out in this Equality Policy.