06 November 2011

NAKMAS appointments and promotions

The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport

In 2006, NAKMAS Management committed to achieving The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport. The main goal was equality for everyone within NAKMAS.

In June 2008, NAKMAS achieved the Foundation level of the Standard which was fundamentally about demonstrating our commitment to equality through the organisation and In June 2009 NAKMAS achieved the Preliminary level of the Standard which was about putting together an equality action plan and working with internal and external people and bodies to implement the Equality Policy as well as undertaking an extensive training needs analysis of management and staff and other key members.

Since then, The NAKMAS Management and Equality Teams have worked on implementing the Equality Action Plan and further developing the diversity within NAKMAS by a variety of means. NAKMAS has actively sought to increase the diversity of gender at management level, and continue to seek suitably qualified and experienced officers especially within our under-represented groups. Further equality training has taken place for staff and management and the newly launched equality awareness development module is now available to members for coaches, staff and volunteers to undertake. NAKMAS has published a variety of press releases aiming to increase awareness of diversity including autism awareness, female successes, and articles highlighting successes of groups such as Brazilian Capoeira, and Japanese Kendo Instruction. I was invited to take part in the ENTER programme – a best practice initiative headed by the then Central Council of Physical Recreation (now Sport and Recreation Alliance) and various bodies in other European Countries aimed at Women Leaders in Sport, and attended training and networking in Copenhagen and Helsinki.

NAKMAS has recently undertaken a further equality data collection and analysis of equality data. Diversity has certainly increased in several areas but we are aware that even more needs to be done. We are currently writing an equality brochure with the help of various specialist equality bodies and this will be available to all members to use in a bid to raise awareness and increase diversity of membership locally.

Positive action initiatives such as the successful Safe Kids Campaign and the recently launched Media Packs, are other examples of ways to increase and retain membership and in particular under-represented groups. Our recently launched Equality Awareness Development Module is starting to prove popular with many instructors, secretaries, welfare officers and other staff now accredited. You will see the register of names accredited so far on the website.

NAKMAS was assessed for the Intermediate level of the Standard in July 2011 and was the sixth organisation in the UK to receive this level in September 2011. NAKMAS is now working towards the most prestigious Advanced level which so far has only been achieved by one organisation – the London Olympics Body.

If any members or interested organisations have any comments about what NAKMAS have done so far, or any suggestions for the future with regards to equality, I would be more than pleased to hear them.

Many thanks to all members, staff and Management; and to organisations including the Sport and Recreation Alliance and Endsleigh; for your help in our achievements so far.

Sandra J Beale-Ellis
Director of Operations
Lead Equality Officer
04.01.2012
 

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