Carlisle United’s commitment is to promote inclusion and to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, race, nationality, ethnicity (race), religion or belief, ability or disability, pregnancy and maternity, and to encourage equal opportunities.
These are known as ‘protected characteristics’ under the Equality Act 2010.
Carlisle United will ensure that it treats everyone fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in and enjoy those activities.
Every staff member, board member, official, spectator, fan and visiting team can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and in particular that they are able to work and watch football in an environment without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment or abuse.
The boards of Carlisle United are fully committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all aspects of the club.
We are passionate about ensuring that we embrace equality and celebrate diversity. We strive to have a broad mix of skills, experience and backgrounds on our boards, as well as across our staff and volunteer base, as we understand the positive impact that diversity has upon our effectiveness.
The EFL Equality Code of Practice continues to be an integral part of EFL Regulations (128) and achievement is mandatory for EFL clubs. The Board has committed to achieve Bronze COP standard in 23/24 and aims to achieve Silver COP standard by end of this plan period - June 2025.
The club ensures that we recruit people with the right knowledge, skill and attributes that can effectively support and grow the business. Carlisle United is committed to providing information, tools and the necessary training for all board members to be able to deliver their roles effectively.
The board actively considers diversity when recruiting new members. The management team are focused on achieving our objectives which include creating more opportunities across the club and are fully committed to this Equality Action Plan (as seen HERE) and to promoting our Equality Policy (as seen HERE) in all of our activities.
The Holdings and 1921 boards of Carlisle United, and its chief executive, are responsible for the implementation of this plan.
The club has a reporting pathway to deal with any allegations of prejudice, ensuring that all individuals can raise their issue through the channels explained in the Club Charter (Section 5 as seen HERE) and via our How to get in touch guide HERE.
On the receipt of any complaint, the club will investigate, if appropriate, with assistance from other football and statutory agencies, and make recommendations and/or change to procedures as necessary.
While the club can consider and assess any reported issues, depending on the nature of any query or complaint, it may be appropriate for clubs and/or other authorities to carry out further investigation.
In such circumstances the club will provide advice and guidance on the appropriate channels for complaints or incidents to be addressed further.
The club also works closely with Kick it Out which provides a reporting service for discriminatory behaviour through its ‘kick it out app’.
The free app provides users with the ability to confidentially report incidents they may see, hear or witness at a match. By attaching video, photo and audio evidence to complaints fans can help support investigations into discriminatory abuse and behaviour at Carlisle United or across football (for more please visit www.kickitout.org).
Updated 6 January 2023.