England Boxing to act on recommendations of Equality, Diversity and Race Review

England Boxing has today published its Equality, Diversity and Race Review in full.

The national governing body for amateur boxing in England released a summary report of recommendations late last year.

Many of those recommendations are already being implemented and others are to be addressed in 2022.

The review has also been taken into full account when putting together England Boxing’s strategy plan for 2022-2027.

“We welcome this report and thank all those who have contributed to its publication, particularly by providing personal experiences as to what they have encountered,” said England Boxing’s Chief Executive Officer, Gethin Jenkins.

“The recommendations have already been agreed and have started to be implemented, not least with the setting up of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee and plans to employ a new diversity and inclusion development officer, as well as addressing recruitment across all aspects of the organisation.

“As we said at the time when we initially announced we would conduct a review, we are proud of our diversity in terms of our overall membership but, as this report clearly shows, we must do more and we are looking forward to working with the membership to help us do so by implementing the recommendations sent out.”

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Sub-committee formally met for the first time at the end of last year.

The seven-person committee is made up of Ana Ndeke, Andrea Rankine, Bevis Allen, Byron Francis, Charlie Ford, Paul Asare-Archer and chair Michael Norford.

Norford, who is also on the England Boxing Board of Directors, feels the report ‘clearly identifies the areas where we as an NGB need to improve’.

He added: “We have already started work on this important piece of work and, as the Diversity Lead for England Boxing, I am pleased to report that progress is being made.

“Sporting Equals, a sports specific organisation operating in the governance and team building space, is now a key partner, helping us to shape and address our shortcomings, especially in the area of recruitment.

“Within the sport, we have already adjusted our training to include a module relating to diversity and inclusion. This is also replicated on our safeguarding courses.

“We recognise that we can’t change everything overnight and as such have made this report a high priority on the agenda of the Board of Directors, with regular progress reports expected from the operational team and sub-committees who represent every aspect of England Boxing.”

Author of the report, and sub-committee member Bevis Allen, who is the Club Support Officer for the London region, was pleased with the breadth of information gathered used to compile the report.

“Our thanks go to everyone who inputted into the review, including the working group for their support, suggestions and recommendations for change, as well as those who were interviewed, took part in a focus group or sent in suggestions and quote – it’s been greatly appreciated,” he said.

“It was great to be able to interview some of the members personally and get a feel for their experiences within the sport, both good and bad, so that real, sustained changes can be made for the betterment of the sport we all love so much.”

You can read the report in full by clicking here.