Paddle UK is delighted to announce that UK Sport has approved our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) as meeting the requirements of the Code for Sports Governance. This has been a huge organisation-wide effort, requiring the successful coming-together of teams to create an ambitious and committed action plan.
Paddle UK set out its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in our #WePaddleTogether strategy in 2022. This has been a strong long term plan serving as a launchpad to report on progress and set specific annual plans and targets.
Paddle UK's DIAP consists of three distinct but importantly linked components:
- #WePaddleTogether Strategy: a fundamental basis for Paddle UK's commitment to driving the golden thread of equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our core strategic priorities.
- An annual action plan: outlining the specific actions the organisation will be taking each year in order to achieve the strategic actions set out in #WePaddleTogether. While a strategy can provide a helpful framework, the actions we take as individuals, teams, and as leaders look different each year.
- An annual impact report: detailing the outcomes of the delivery for each year of the strategy, giving Paddle UK the opportunity to transparently report on progress and showcase the impact of delivery.
Developing and writing our DIAP has reinforced our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion remaining a live, authentic one – we are consistently looking for opportunities to improve our practice, deliver meaningful projects and initiatives to improve diversity, and create a sport and activity which is accessible to and inclusive of everyone.
Helena Russo, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, said: “Undertaking the development of the DIAP was a long process, which challenged us to think carefully about how we held ourselves accountable as an organisation for the delivery of our strategic ambitions. My thanks goes out to our Inclusion Advisory Group, internal staff EDI network, and committed individuals across Paddle UK that have helped us to create an excellent DIAP, and culture where this can continue to be driven forward.”
The full Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan for 2024 can be found on the Paddle UK website here.