Rugby League Fact file Rugby League Fact File (Resource 6) INDEX 1 General Equality and Diversity: 2 - 1.1 Definitions - 1.2 Important Rugby League programmes - RESPECT &Tackle IT! - 1.3 interview with Steve McNamara Rugby League England coach - 1.4 Interview with Nigel Wood, RFL CEO - 1.5 Did you know? 2. Gender: - 2.1 Definitions - 2.2 Women’s participation in Rugby League - 2.3 Interview with Sarah Bennison – Match Official - 2.4 Interview with Martina – Rugby League fan - 2.5 Did you know? 3. Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) - 3.1 Definitions - 3.2 BME participation in Rugby League - 3.3 Interview with Anthony Sullivan – Rugby League legend and former player and coach - 3.4 Did you know? 4. Disability - 4.1 Definitions - 4.2 Disability participation in Rugby League - 4.3 Interview with Ryan Owen – Rugby League player - 4.4 Interview with Gina Smallbridge, England wheelchair Rugby League team - 4.5 Did you know? 5. Religion and Faith - 5.1 Definitions and possible barriers to participation - 5.2 Religion, faith and Rugby League activities - 5.3 Interview with David Solomona - 5.4 Did you know? 6. Age - 6.1 Definitions - 6.2 Rugby League for all ages - 6.3 Interview with Ramsden family – 3 generations of fans - 6.4 Interview with Phil Bentham – Super League Match Official - 6.5 Did you know? 7. Sexual Orientation - 7.1 Definitions - 7.2 Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) initiatives in Rugby League - 7.3 Interview with Mitch Stringer – Player Sheffield Eagles - 7.4 Did you know? 1. GENERAL 1.1 Definitions: Diversity Recognising, valuing and respecting the uniqueness of each individual. Diversity includes both visible and non-visible differences i.e. gender, race and sexual orientation protected by anti-discrimination legislation. It also includes difference based on size, intellect, class etc. not covered by legislation. Equal Opportunities It is about the law and how it is applied in addressing barriers which individuals might face in accessing training, employment and access to services. Ensuring training, employment practices and access to services are fair and free from discrimination and harassment. Equality Is the state of being equal – treating individuals equally, which does not necessarily mean treating them the same. In some cases the need for equality may require unequal effort to ensure the principle of equality is achieved. Direct Discrimination To treat one particular group of people less or more favourably than others because of one or more characteristic; gender, gender identity, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, faith, pregnancy, maternity or other visible or non-visible difference. Prejudice Pre-judging someone. Usually based on negative, irrational feelings and attitudes and opinions that some people have about `others’. Stereotyping Grouping or labelling people because they are members of a particular visible group and assuming that they have particular traits that are considered to be characteristic of that group. 1.2 Important Rugby League programmes In order to ensure we live up to the values of our game: passionate, inclusive, uncompromising family game Rugby League has developed and promotes two key programmes: • 1.2 i) RESPECT Code of conduct for the sport that upholds the values of our sport and ensures that high standards of behaviour are maintained at all times from the entire Rugby League family. In order to uphold these values participants in the game – players, parents, coaches, match officials other volunteers or administrators of all ages should: • Discourage unsportsmanlike behaviour, foul or illegal play or acts of violence both on or off the field • Respect the rights dignity and worth of every person whatever their gender, race, age, disability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other visible or non-visible difference • Accept the moral and legal responsibility to implement procedures to provide a duty of care to children and vulnerable adults, safeguard their wellbeing and protect from abuse and poor practice • Condemn the use of recreational and performance enhancing drugs and doping practices as they compromise health of players and are contrary to fair play. Breaches of the code of practice may result in penalties up to an including fine, loss of team match points and suspension. For more information visit the website http://www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/clientdocs/Respect%20Brochure.pdf Before every game the following RESPECT message is played: “Rugby League is a family game. Please respect everyone involved including match officials, coaches, players and spectators. Bad language harassment or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated” • 1.2 ii) Tackle IT! A comprehensive national programme to tackle discrimination, prejudice and abuse throughout the game across the six main equality strands: gender, race, disability, faith, age and sexual orientation. In addition Tackle IT! celebrates the diversity within our sport. The programme will be fully launched for the 2013 season and comprises the following: Match day text line service at all professional clubs in Super League, Championship and Championship One. If anyone hears or sees any unacceptable language or behaviour they can text the information directly to the Ground Safety Officer who will then be able to determine the best response Suite of posters celebrating the diversity within our sport DVD highlighting the Tackle IT! message Tackle IT! Educational resources pack for clubs and schools Series of guidance for clubs, the first being: ‘Guidance for Rugby League Clubs – Tackling Anti-Gay (homophobic) Abuse and Behaviour’. The second guidance for clubs which will be available in 2013 is around disability inclusion Series of research projects providing insights and recommendations regarding overcoming barriers to participation. To date this includes Asian Muslim young people and LGBT young people. To access more information and to download the Tackle IT! DVD and posters visit; http://www.therfl.co.uk/equitydiversity/tackle-it Other General Equality initiatives: • RFL has achieved the intermediate level of the Sport England ‘Equality Standard – a Framework for Sport’ and RFL is widely acknowledged as a leading Governing body and sport in terms of equality and diversity. • Mandatory one day equality and diversity training for all RFL staff with free places available to club staff and others involved in the game. Training has also been provided for the Ground Safety Officers, Match Commissioners and there are plans to introduce player and club training courses. • Annual free Equality and Diversity Conference for club staff offering key note speakers and interactive workshops featuring examples of good practice across the game. • Equality and Diversity resources and information on the RFL website which are widely available to download. • Quarterly In League Together newsletter featuring and celebrating Equality and Diversity initiatives across the game. 1.3 Interview with RFL England Coach Steve McNamara Why is it important for a successful team to be inclusive and welcoming to all? I think outstanding teams regardless of whether they are the England Rugby League team, a community team or members of the Red Hall staff require teams of outstanding individuals. To be the very best we can be in all aspects of Rugby League we need to not only attract the best people but also retain the best people. For that to happen we need a positive working environment. What do you mean by positive working environment? People are at the heart and soul of our game and whatever role they play they deserve a safe, respectful and positive environment so we can fully enjoy all the fruits that our sport brings to everybody. What do you think are the key messages of the Tackle IT! programme? Tackle IT! is a great project, it’s got three main aims; the first one is zero tolerance to any abuse and discrimination, the second one is to report an unacceptable language or behaviour in whatever environment you are working in and the third is to really celebrate the diversity which we have within the ranks of Rugby League 1.4 Interview with RFL CEO Nigel Wood Q Why is it important to Rugby League to be welcoming to everybody? Rugby League has a long and proud history of being inclusive to all sections of society and we place no apology for ensuring our game is free from abuse and free from discrimination. We would urge everyone to support that stance and report anyone they hear engaging in antisocial behaviour or abusive behaviour and not tolerate it. Why is it important to have this zero tolerance approach? Because we want the sport to be as welcoming as it possibly can be, we’ve got a great spectacle on the field and in the main our terraces and stands are very welcoming for all sections of society and we are determined to keep it that way. How can the fans and people watching the game go about reporting this behaviour? Nobody should accept abuse or discriminatory behaviour of any regard whatsoever whether it is reporting matters to stewards at stadium or using the Tackle IT! text they should not hesitate to ensure this kind of behaviour is stamped out. 1.5 Did you know? 1895 - On 29th August 1895, Rugby League was formed when 21 clubs based in the north of England broke away from English Rugby Union’s governing body and formed their own competition. The breakaway was caused by the northern clubs desire to pay players which was outlawed at the time in Rugby Union. 1906 - Thirteen-a-side introduced alongside the game’s distinctive play-the-ball movement. 1954 - Rugby League stages its first ever World Cup tournament. 1972 - Introduction of the six tackle rule plus timekeepers with hooter / siren at the end of the game. 1974 – First sport to allow shirt sponsorship. 1996 - Super League is introduced. The sport moves to a summer season.