Stourbridge Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by anyone who wants to participate in it.

Stourbridge Football Club in all its activities will not discriminate or in any way, treat anyone less favourably on grounds of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability. The club will ensure it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in and enjoy its activities.

Stourbridge Football Club will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual, which for the purposes of this policy and the actions and sanction applicable, is regarded as discrimination. This includes sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal. The club will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

Stourbridge Football Club is committed to taking positive action where inequalities exist and to the development of a programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities in order to promote the eradication of discrimination and promote equality in football.

Stourbridge Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members to abide and adhere to these policies and the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

Stourbridge Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds brought to its attention. Where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice stops and sanctions will be imposed as appropriate.

This policy is fully supported by the Club Board and Officers who are responsible for the implementation of this policy.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Any supporter or member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way or that the Club Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct have been broken, should follow the procedures below.

1. They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or a member of the Board, Committee, Officer or Steward.

Your report should include:

i. Details of what, when, and where the occurrence took place.
ii. Any witness statement and names.
iii. Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way.
iv. Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to whom made.
v. A preference for a solution to the incident.

2. The Club’s Board will sit for any hearings that are requested.

3. The Club’s Board will have the power to:

i. Warn as to future conduct;
ii. Suspend from membership;
iii. Remove from membership; any person found to have broken the Club’s Policies or Codes of Conduct.
iv. Enforce a notice prohibiting the individual(s) from entering the club grounds/facilities.

Our Commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or belief, ability or disability and to encourage equal opportunities.