UK Sport launches review into code of sports governance over need to diversify organisations

Joint-review alongside Sport England will look to ensure greater representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, female and those with disability

Monday 13 July 2020 12:36 BST
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UK Sport is "particularly mindful" of the need to diversify the boards of sporting organisations, insisted chief operating officer Simon Morton.

An immediate joint review alongside Sport England is being launched, focusing on potential changes to the Code of Sports Governance.

The main factor of the review will be the make-up of boards, with Morton stressing the need for them to be reflective of society.

"National governing bodies have delivered a huge amount of positive change since the introduction of the Code for Sports Governance," he said.

"However, it has always been our intention to review the Code at the end of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic cycle, in order to consider whether there are areas in which it can be enhanced.

"We are particularly mindful of the need to ensure that boards are reflective of society across the UK. We've seen the power of the Code to effect positive change to the gender balance of sports boards, and its right that we consider how this approach can be broadened.

"Our desire to conduct a substantive review of the way in which the Code can help to drive equality and diversity, forms an important part of our commitment to creating a high performance system that is truly inclusive."

In a statement confirming the forthcoming review, UK Sport and Sport England identified the three key areas that will be focused on.

A 'substansive review' of elements of the Code including those that focus on 'the boards of sporting organisations, aimed at ensuring greater representation of those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with a disability or long-term health condition, and female representation' will be undertaken.

There will also be a "general review" of the other elements of the Code and a "check against current governance best practice" from when the Code was launched three years ago.

PA

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