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1 AMATEUR BOXING INVESTMENT PROGRAMME Results of an Equality Impact Assessment Date: 6 August 2013 Preamble: Further to the Statutory Duties as contained within Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Sport Northern Ireland has committed to carrying out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on each policy or programme where screening indicated that there may be significant implications in relation to one of more of the nine equality grounds. This report presents the results of an equality impact assessment on Sport Northern Ireland s Amateur Boxing Investment Programme This document is available in other accessible formats on request and on-line at

2 Table of Contents Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Background 3 Amateur Boxing Investment Programme Objective 4 Consideration of data & available research 6 Consideration of adverse impact 7 Initial recommendations 11 Decision on the EQIA 13 Monitoring for adverse impact in the future and publication of the results of such monitoring 15

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Further to the Statutory Duties as contained within Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Sport Northern Ireland has committed to carrying out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on each policy or programme where screening indicated that there may be significant implications in relation to one of more of the nine equality grounds. This report presents the results of an EQIA on Amateur Boxing Investment Programme for The report is further to the draft report that was presented for public consultation on 14 February The final report is available from Sport Northern Ireland and details policy information, consideration of data and available research, the identification of potential adverse impacts and preliminary recommendations and monitoring for adverse impact in the future. There was one response received during the consultation of the draft report. We believe that the proposed actions will have a positive effect in terms of the promotion of equality of opportunity between all Section 75 dimensions and we would like to thank all those who have contributed to this EQIA. Acting Chief Executive Chair -1-

4 INTRODUCTION Section 75 (1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires that Sport Northern Ireland shall, in carrying out its function relating to Northern Ireland, have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between the following nine Section 75 categories: Persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, marital status or sexual orientation; Men and women generally; Persons with a disability and persons without; and Persons with dependents and persons without. In addition, and without prejudice to these obligations, Sport Northern Ireland is also committed to having due regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group. Our Equality Scheme was approved by the Equality Commission in April Our scheme sets out arrangements as to how Sport Northern Ireland proposes to fulfill the statutory duties determined through Section 75 legislation and its implementation. The Equality Scheme acknowledges the commitment to carry out EQIAs and policy reviews on existing policies and to develop new policies as required. In November 2012, the Amateur Boxing Investment Programme was screened and at this time it was decided that it should be subjected to a full EQIA, which commenced in February

5 Sport Northern Ireland Sport Northern Ireland is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL). It was established on December 31 st 1973 under the provisions of the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1973, with its main objective being the furtherance of sport and physical recreation. Strategic Context Underpinning the Sport Northern Ireland Corporate and Business Plans process is the Northern Ireland Executive s Programme for Government which sets the vision and performance measurement framework for all government departments and public sector bodies. The overarching vision is: A shared and better future for all. In 2009 DCAL, in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland, launched Sport Matters: The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation, Sports Matters sets out the key strategic priorities for sport and physical recreation and informs the direction of future investment by Sport Northern Ireland and other partners. As a strategic document, it poses great challenges for every individual and organisation with a stake in sport; physical recreation; health; education; social and community wellbeing; and the environment. Following consultation, the people of Northern Ireland articulated their long-term vision for sport and physical recreation to be: A culture of lifelong enjoyment and success in sport. Sport Matters includes 26 high level targets and key steps which relate to Participation, Performance and Places. As the leading public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Sport Matters. This is outlined in the Corporate Plan Sport Northern Ireland s vision moving forward is: A culture of lifelong enjoyment and success in sport which contributes to a healthy, fair and prosperous society. To achieve this vision Sport Northern Ireland has identified the following six strategic priorities that will be addressed over the next three years: 1. Active People 2. Successful Athletes 3. Quality Facilities 4. Enabled Partners 5. A Competent Sporting Workforce 6. A Trusted and Effective Leader -3-

6 Between Sport Northern Ireland will invest around 80m from both Exchequer and National Lottery funds to further these strategic priorities. This will be achieved through the provision of sports development expertise and by investing in partner organisations that share these priorities. These policies and programmes will be monitored through a performance management framework which will enable Sport Northern Ireland to demonstrate their contribution to Sport Matters targets, DCAL s corporate goals and targets, and the Public Service Agreements identified within the Northern Ireland Executive s Programme for Government. The draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme forms one small part of this overall strategy but is the particular focus of this EQIA. Draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme In line with these corporate objectives and in response to an on-going dialogue at that time between DCAL and Sport Northern Ireland regarding the future development of amateur boxing, in 2011 Sport Northern Ireland prepared a Ministerial briefing outlining the information relating to the sport of amateur boxing in Northern Ireland. In this briefing, Sport Northern Ireland recommended that it should consider commissioning a business case for funding the infrastructure required for the future development of the sport. On the 17 August 2011, the DCAL Minister advised that she was content for Sport Northern Ireland to take forward this piece of work, but also indicated that capital funds were likely to be limited and that assistance may have to come from within existing budgets. Sport Northern Ireland then explored funding opportunities and decided that Lottery funding would be a vehicle that could be used to provide all necessary support to the programme as defined by the business case prepared by Sport Northern Ireland. The Draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme was then drawn up in line with these discussions and based on these funding proposals. The aim of the programme is: Operating within available resources and according to best practice procurement procedures, to provide appropriate levels of capital and revenue support for amateur boxing within Northern Ireland, in order to help promote and sustain the future of the sport for all. Sport Northern Ireland developed a business case for an investment of 3.27m of Lottery funds into amateur boxing within Northern Ireland. The business case was based on the Irish Amateur Boxing Association s (IABA) Strategic Plan and the Ulster Provincial Boxing Council (UPBC) Implementation Plan which identified two main areas for investment into the sport: Provision of equipment Capital development to include both minor and major redevelopment /new build projects. -4-

7 In addition, the business case also supported the employment of a Club Development Manager to work specifically with individual clubs to improve their governance, financial and coaching systems. Since completion of the business case an expression of interest exercise carried out by IABA/UBC has provided updated baseline information. Based on this further information an addendum to the business case has been developed and the objectives have been revised to reflect this as follows: Objective as per Business Case To develop and implement a capital funding Programme to ensure there is adequate equipment and ancillary facilities in up to 83 boxing clubs over the period , in line with the following indicative levels of support: Up to 67 clubs to receive funding for new Equipment; Up to 16 clubs to receive funding for premises repair; and Up to 14 clubs to receive funding for new club Facilities. To provide additional resources to the UBC that will ensure the capacity exists for clubs to avail of capital funding opportunities over the period To increase member participation by 10% from 1,995 boxers to 2,195 boxers by 2015 To increase female participation by 20% from approximately 219 boxers to approximately 263 boxers by 2015 To contribute to improved longer term outcomes of social regeneration of deprived communities and improvements in the health and mental well-being of local community by 2020 Revised Objective as per addendum Change to - To develop and implement a capital funding Programme to ensure there is adequate equipment and ancillary facilities in up to 100 boxing clubs over the period , in line with the following indicative levels of support: Up to 100 clubs to receive funding for new Equipment; Up to 50 clubs to receive funding for premises repair; and Up to 6 clubs to receive funding for major refurbishment / new club Facilities. No change - To provide additional resources to the UBC that will ensure the capacity exists for clubs to avail of capital funding opportunities over the period Change to - To increase member participation by 10% from 6,027 boxers to 6,629 boxers by 2015 Change to - To increase female participation by 20% from approximately 1,182 boxers to approximately 1,418 boxers by 2015 No change - To contribute to improved longer term outcomes of social regeneration of deprived communities and improvements in the health and mental well-being of local community by

8 CONSIDERATION OF DATA AND AVAILABLE RESEARCH Participation Monitoring Data A uniform equality monitoring system has been developed by Sport Northern Ireland to track the future impact of policies and programmes and is now in place and will be used by the draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme to collect appropriate data from boxing clubs supported through the investment. While this information will be useful to monitor the programme in future, in carrying out this EQIA Sport Northern Ireland was already able to drawn on a wide range of research and data. This has included the following in-house sources: Sport Northern Ireland s Northern Ireland Sport and Physical Activity Survey 2010 (SAPAS) 1 Sport Matters: The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation ; Sport Northern Ireland s Equality Scheme; Sport Northern Ireland s Corporate Plan & Business Plan ; Sport Northern Ireland s Draft Disability Action Plan ; Sport Northern Ireland s Promoting Fair Play in Sport A Guide to Sport and the Equality Legislation in Northern Ireland ; Sport Northern Ireland s draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme consultation document; Sport Northern Ireland draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme screening form; Sport Northern Ireland s Recognition Policy; Irish Amateur Boxing Association Strategy ; Ulster Provisional Boxing Council Implementation Plan (including SIA research) ; Sport Northern Ireland Business Case for Investment in Amateur Boxing, ; and National Lottery Distribution Guidance Notes. The EQIA Draft Consultation Report sets out in some considerable detail the funding made available by Sport Northern Ireland by region, sport and also within amateur boxing itself. These data were used to inform the consideration of adverse impact (see below)

9 CONSIDERATION OF ADVERSE IMPACT In light of the data presented within the EQIA Draft Consultation Report, a summary of potential adverse impacts by each of the nine Section 75 grounds was presented, as summarised below. As the proposed investment in amateur boxing is likely to be apart from that allocated to other sports, it was seen as unlikely that the investment strategy itself will have an adverse effect on any Section 75 grounds. However, where the investment is made selectively to certain clubs and not others, or where clubs or the IABA discriminate on any Section 75 ground, then an adverse effect may be triggered and these were looked at within the EQIA Draft Consultation Report. Gender Available research continues to identify a gender gap between men and women with regard to involvement with sport, and international trends suggest that this gap may be widening. The gender gap is manifest both in participation rates and in the administration of sport at all levels, including amateur boxing. Northern Ireland is not alone in reflecting these trends but Sport Northern Ireland has in place a number of positive action measures deliberately designed to help bridge the gap and will continue to monitor trends over time carefully. Further to the 2012 Olympics women s boxing has become increasing popular and a growing number of women are taking up the sport for both recreation/fitness and competition. The draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme aims to increase women s participation in the sport by 20% between 2012 and Any investment will encourage this trend and hence will increase women s participation in sport generally, and in particular where clubs can demonstrate their active support for women s boxing. Religious Belief / Political opinion Sport Northern Ireland continues to operate in a highly charged political environment, and must ensure that the allocation of resources is fair, reasonable and proportionate to the needs of the entire sporting community. The wealth of data that is available would suggest that the demand for sport is high within both communities although the types of sports that are played and supported differ considerably. Sport Northern Ireland has attempted to allocate resources -7-

10 according to need and in order to redress existing inequalities in provision but continues to remain sensitive to the needs of both communities in the determination of future funding and support. The needs of disadvantaged areas are also prioritised within funding formula. Many boxing clubs are located in areas deemed to have a high social need and also in areas associated with a single tradition or community background. At the same time, amateur boxing is viewed by many as a sport that can reach into parts of the community that are not generally accessible by other sports. Historically, work undertaken by those within the sport to bridge the social divides has been acknowledged by many, although more recently there have been counterclaims by Sandy Row Amateur Boxing Club, in their report, Northern Ireland Amateur Boxing: A Decade of Sectarian and Racial Abuse (2012), that inter-club competitions may have been tarnished by both racism and sectarianism 2. Traditionally, the IABA as an all-ireland body has encouraged affiliated clubs, and hence their members, to represent Ireland and not Great Britain, with no Northern Irish boxer having represented Great Britain under the auspices of the IABA. Where an individual member of a club that is affiliated to the IABA should choose to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland then there has been no mechanism by which he or she could achieve this aspiration is unclear. As a consequence, by providing funding through the IABA as the sport s sole recognised governing body then Sport Northern Ireland may be disadvantaging those who would regard themselves as Unionist and British and are predominantly Protestant. Sport Northern Ireland will work with relevant boxing authorities and the British Olympic Association to make clear any existing, or put in place, a mechanism enabling any boxer with aspirations to compete for GB and NI to achieve this aspiration. Recognising this obstacle to fair treatment, it is hoped that through ongoing dialogue and the careful management of the investment programme by Sport Northern Ireland, working along with the IABA and UPBC, that good relations can be promoted and better relations established between clubs. This will require the full cooperation of all boxing clubs and overseeing bodies including the IABA and UPBC. Given the effectiveness of the policy in addressing contentious issues across all sports in the past, Sport Northern Ireland will continue to operate a policy of only recognising one governing 2 Evidence/Session /September-2012/Amateur-Boxing-Sandy-Row-Amateur-Boxing-Club/ -8-

11 body per sport and hence only clubs that are affiliated to the IABA will be eligible for support through the investment programme. Sport Northern Ireland will work with the IABA, County Boards and the UPBC to find ways to promote the sport for the benefit of all citizens of Northern Ireland. Disability Sport Northern Ireland recognises that those with longstanding illnesses have traditionally been less involved with sport, and are under-represented in the Northern Ireland sporting community. Sport Northern Ireland is committed to working closely in partnership with the disabled communities and their representatives to find ways of redressing this imbalance, and acknowledges the important role that sport can play in maintaining the physical and psychological well-being of those with a disability, whether as participants, officials or spectators. This strategy will extend not only to facilitating participation but continuing to ensure that facilities accommodate and encourage attendance from those with a disability, and in particular boxing venues. Through the draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme , new facilities will be developed mindful of accessibility and disability legislation considerations. Race / Ethnic Origin While it is recognised that many ethnic groups may have felt marginalised with regard to the sporting community in Northern Ireland, recent research allied with targeted initiatives has helped to highlight opportunities that Sport Northern Ireland can take to work closely with particular minority ethnic groups to encourage participation. It is recognised that targeted interventions may be necessary, given the particular needs and interests of each minority ethnic community. There is evidence to indicate that boxing attracts considerable support from minority ethnic communities (e.g. Irish Travellers), and hence appropriate investment will have a positive impact on members of these communities. Sexual Orientation Homophobia has been ignored for too long in sport as in other life domains, and recent research has successfully shone a spotlight on the key policy issues that must be addressed to encourage more active participation in sport by the LGBT. Through the draft Amateur Boxing Investment -9-

12 Programme , Sport Northern Ireland will continue to work with representatives of this community to translate policy into working practices that encourage inclusion. Age Set against an ever aging population, a challenge remains to include sport and physical activity across the life cycle. With growing evidence of childhood obesity, and traditional patterns of inactivity attached to older age groups, there are significant challenges at either end of the life spectrum that will require initiatives and programmes tailored to those populations. While competitors within boxing tend to be below the age of 30, those involved, including coaches, administrators and officials, have a wide variety of ages. Marital Status / Dependancy The traditional model of sport naturally tended to cater for those who were seen as the primary target audience young males. Increasingly it is recognised that through custom and practice, barriers may have been established preventing access to those who do not fit this stereotype, including those with domestic or other caring responsibilities. The draft Boxing Investment Programme has been developed mindful of the diverse needs of the population of Northern Ireland, and in the development of new facilities it will ensure these considerations are given due regard. -10-

13 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS In general terms, Sport Northern Ireland set out in the EQIA Draft Consultation Report that the implementation of this programme in its entirety would have a positive and long lasting effect on mainstreaming equality of opportunity into sport and physical activity in Northern Ireland. By providing additional support for amateur boxing through this investment programme, Sport Northern Ireland argued that the implementation of the draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme in itself would not have a direct adverse effect on any of those attached to the nine grounds of Section 75. On the contrary, this investment may act as a positive action measure to stimulate participation among, for example, young women and those from minority ethnic communities and in particular where clubs are further encouraged to be inclusive of all those with an interest in amateur boxing. By recognising and adopting Sport Northern Ireland s equality of opportunity and good relations support criterion as a condition of award, it is expected that clubs and the sport s governing bodies will continue to aspire towards promoting a good and harmonious environment. Recently reported anecdotal evidence would suggest that, in the past, some competition venues may not have always been welcoming to those from different community backgrounds. In the EQIA Draft Consultation Report, Sport Northern Ireland committed to work alongside boxing clubs and authorities to ensure that this investment programme helps to eradicate such concerns and helps promote a good and harmonious environment for all competitors and their supporters. Where clubs have not actively encouraged participation by women and those from minority ethnic communities then Sport Northern Ireland will work with these clubs through the investment programme to encourage broadening the participation base of the sport in these clubs. -11-

14 It is recognised that historically, the IABA and its associate organisations have encouraged boxers from Northern Ireland to represent Ireland in international competitions. Sport Northern Ireland will work with the IABA through this investment programme to ensure that as the sole recognised governing body for amateur boxing in Northern Ireland, that the IABA will in turn recognise the birthright of amateur boxers from Northern Ireland to regard themselves as British, Irish or both, and will not obstruct those who should choose to aspire towards competing for UK international teams. Sport Northern Ireland also committed to work with relevant boxing authorities and the British Olympic Association to make clear any existing, or put in place, a mechanism enabling any boxer with aspirations to compete for GB and NI to achieve this aspiration. In addition to these specific actions, the following recommendations relating to procedural matters were presented for consultation in the Draft Consultation Report: High level consultation and monitoring will continue to underpin the implementation of the draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme ; Monitoring will be rolled out to encompass all boxing clubs during the lifetime of the investment; and The investment in boxing will continue to be mindful of the needs and circumstances of all Section 75 grounds. WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS Sport Northern Ireland received one submission to the draft report during the consultation process from Springtown Amateur Boxing Club (see Appendix). This submission commended the Draft Consultation EQIA and did not make any suggestions for change. -12-

15 DECISION ON THE EQIA Taking into account the one positive response from the consultation exercise, existing data and recommendations as presented in the draft EQIA report, in response to the outcome of the EQIA Sport Northern Ireland will commit to taking forward the following eight actions: 1. Sport Northern Ireland will continue to promote equality of opportunity and good relations for all by providing additional support for amateur boxing through this investment programme. 2. By recognising and adopting Sport Northern Ireland s equality of opportunity and good relations support criterion as a condition of award, amateur boxing clubs and the sport s governing bodies will themselves be encouraged to continue to aspire towards promoting a good and harmonious environment. 3. Recognising that some competition venues may not have always been welcoming to those from different community backgrounds in the past, Sport Northern Ireland commits to working alongside boxing clubs and authorities to ensure that this investment programme helps to eradicate such concerns and helps promote a good and harmonious environment for all competitors and their supporters. 4. Where clubs have not actively encouraged participation by women and those from minority ethnic communities then Sport Northern Ireland will work with these clubs through the investment programme to encourage broadening the participation base of the sport in these clubs. 5. While the sport s recognised governing body ( IABA and its associate organisations) has encouraged boxers from Northern Ireland to represent Ireland in international competitions, Sport Northern Ireland will work with the IABA through this investment programme to ensure that as the sole recognised governing body for amateur boxing in Northern Ireland, the IABA will in turn recognise the birthright of amateur boxers from Northern Ireland to regard themselves as British, Irish or both, and will not obstruct those who should choose to aspire towards competing for the UK / GB and NI in international teams. -13-

16 6. Sport Northern Ireland also commits to work with relevant boxing authorities and the British Olympic Association to make clear any existing, or put in place, a mechanism enabling any boxer with aspirations to compete for UK / GB and NI to achieve this aspiration. In addition to these specific actions, the following recommendations relating to procedural matters will be implemented in full: 7. High level consultation and monitoring will continue to underpin the implementation of the draft Amateur Boxing Investment Programme ; 8. Monitoring will be rolled out to encompass all boxing clubs during the lifetime of the investment; and 9. The investment in boxing will continue to be mindful of the needs and circumstances of all Section 75 grounds. CONSULTATION ON EQIA RESULTS The EQIA report has been made available to the public on 10 September 2013, making clear that Sport Northern Ireland is keen to consult as widely as possible on the findings of the EQIA and including preliminary recommendations, and including the following actions: The report will be made available on request in alternative formats. The report will be issued to any members of the public on request. Prominent advertisements have been placed in the Belfast Telegraph inviting the public to comment on this matter in accordance with normal practice. A copy has been posted on Sport Northern Ireland's website. -14-

17 MONITORING FOR ADVERSE IMPACT IN THE FUTURE AND PUBLICATION OF THE RESULTS OF SUCH MONITORING The Amateur Boxing Investment Programme outlines the principles, values and approach to delivering Sport Northern Ireland s policies and programmes. Sport Northern Ireland monitors the impact of these policies and programmes through the annual Business Plan and programme reviews. If this monitoring shows that the revised policy has resulted in greater adverse impact than predicted, or if opportunities arise which would allow for greater equality of opportunity to be promoted, Sport Northern Ireland will ensure the policy is revised accordingly. CONTACT DETAILS If you have any comments on this decision or any other matter relating to this EQIA then please contact: Paul Donnelly Policy, Planning & Research Manager Sport Northern Ireland House of Sport Upper Malone Road Belfast BT9 5LA Tel: pauldonnelly@sportni.net -15-

18 APPENDIX I I welcome the opportunity to view the EQIA conducted on the Boxing Investment Programme by SportNI and approve it after careful consideration. It is the mark of a civilized society to aim at eliminating such inequalities as have their source, not in individual differences, but in its own organisation. It is also recognised that individual differences which are a source of social energy are more likely to ripen and find expression if social inequalities are as far as practicable diminished. I recognise how the general alignment of boxing in Ireland may contrive to deny opportunity to boxers who wish to identify themselves as British, or to represent GB and we must do what we can to eliminate obstacles, to remove disadvantage. It is widely accepted that people are entitled to equal treatment, which means not identical treatment but rather treatment without disadvantage, bias or prejudice. The IABA has a position of pre-eminence in governing amateur boxing in Ireland, established as it was in 1911 and has a reasonable level of governance and organisation. It operates in the best interests of the sport, which is recognised as Ireland s most successful Olympic sport and is therefore best placed to deliver and control boxing on this island and all of it s jurisdictions. Equality of opportunity is not about everyone developing identical skills. It is instead about providing fair chances for each person to develop to his or her maximum potential such skills and capacities as he or she may command, but they must also have freedom of choice. Our boxers will not all be champions but they have the right to be given equality of opportunity. In this sense, equality of opportunity does not give equality of outcome. The Equality Standard for Sport will go a long way in fostering good relations and advancing equal opportunity and the Ulster Boxing Council must give priority to achieving foundation level. Its inability to tackle the concerns of Sandy Row ABC is demonstrative of the Council s lack of organisation and ineffectiveness, and general deficiency of understanding or desire to tackle the issue. I welcome the fact that Sport Northern Ireland will work with relevant boxing authorities and the British Olympic Association to enable any boxer with aspirations to compete for GB and NI to achieve this aspiration. This should be achieved through ongoing dialogue and the full cooperation of all boxing clubs and overseeing bodies including the IABA and UBC, in a way that promotes the sport for the benefit of all citizens of Northern Ireland. On behalf of Springtown Amateur Boxing Club, Derry I approve this EQIA. Min McCann Chairman, Springtown ABC -16-