UK Sport has announced that British Swimming and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) are the first sports governing bodies to achieve the Equality Standard for Sport at an intermediate level.

To meet this standard, sports bodies must develop services that widen access and increase opportunities for a diverse range of people – especially females, ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.

“Reaching the standard is a significant challenge to sports organisations, as they have to develop equality impact assessments and put schemes in place to attract new athletes, coaches, officials and leaders from diverse groups,” said Amanda Bennett, UK Sport’s head of policy.

The two swimming organisations demonstrated a longstanding commitment to equality by implementing projects and activities that encouraged diversity, and engagement in the sport by athletes, volunteers and coaches.

The Equality Standard for Sport has come about as a result of collaboration between the four Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport, with support from the CCPR, the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, the English federation of Disability Sport and Sporting Equals. They judge sporting bodies at four levels Foundation, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced.