Masters Basketball League Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy 2026

(to be reviewed annually).

Introduction

  • Masters Basketball League is fully committed to providing an inclusive inclusive environment where all individuals regardless of background can participate fully in masters Basketball. This policy outlines our commitment to Equality / Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and should be considered alongside and in accordance with the anti-discrimination policy.
  • Masters Basketball League commits to fairness, dignity and respect for all members and has an ongoing duty of care to all participants / officials and spectators to ensure they have a safe enjoyable experience. This EDI furthers this duty of care as well as the EDI ethos. The EDI is at the heart of building and maintaining the Masters Basketball Leagues success and underpins values for all those who enjoy participation in the league.
  • Masters Basketball League has a zero-tolerance approach to Discrimination in any form, Participants and Staff will receive equal treatment regardless of any “Protected Characteristics” (as defined in the Equality Act 2010).
  • Masters Basketball League respects and values cultural differences and endeavours to create an environment that actively promotes EDI which in turn encourages individuals to develop and maximise their potential. Masters Basketball League is committed to providing equitable treatment to all it deals with as an organisation.
  • Masters Basketball League undertakes to make available (on request) electronic copies of this Policy as amended from time to time. Electronic copies of this Policy are available on request. The committee will also provide the policy in the event that (i) any person is unable to download this, Policy; and/or (ii) any person requires this Policy in another form, for example, in braille or large All requests will be considered on their merits on a case-by-case basis. In circumstances where an individual has been classified as having an intellectual impairment, Masters Basketball League shall use all reasonable endeavours to communicate the contents of this Policy to such individual in the most appropriate manner and form in liaison with the parent of, or other person with responsibility for such individual.

Scope and Application

  • This policy applies to all Masters Basketball League members including:

Participants

Officials

Coaches

Spectators

Staff

  • This policy covers all league activities / matches / events and online.
  • All associations / leagues / clubs and other organisations under the jurisdiction of Masters Basketball League must also adopt and enforce this policy.
  • Participants who are party to a Masters Basketball League are to comply with or adopt this Policy and/or enforce the provisions of this Policy through their own processes.
  • All participants and staff under the jurisdiction of Masters Basketball League are subject to and bound by all applicable laws, Basketball rules and agree to abide by all Basketball policies (including this policy) procedures, rules or regulations.
  • The laws or England and Wales shall apply to this policy.

Policy objectives

Masters Basketball League is committed to

  • Providing equal opportunities for all, irrespectively of background or identity
  • Promoting diversity in participation, leadership and decision making
  • Fostering an inclusive environment that removes barriers to participation
  • Zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment and bullying

Legislation and guidance

Masters Basketball Leagues approach to EDI is based on principles recognised within UK and International legislation and UK Government guidance. For the purposes of this policy, the following have been taken into consideration:

  • Human rights act 1998 – this incorporates the European convention to human rights into uk laws. It protects rights such as

-Right to life

-Freedom from torture and degrading treatment

-Right to liberty and security

-Right to a fair trial

-Right to respect for a private and family life (often relevant in discrimination cases)

-Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

-Freedom of expression

  • UK Data Protection act and UK General data protection regulations 2018
  • Equality act 2010

This is the cornerstone of anti-discrimination law in the UK

What it does

Consolidates and replaces previous anti-discrimination laws (e.g., Race Relations Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Disability Discrimination Act 1995). This includes the latest requirement for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.

Protected Characteristics

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion and Belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation

-Gender Recognition act 2004

-EHRC Employment statutory code of practice

-Regulatory guidance

-UK sport: the code for sport governance

-FIBA internal regulations (General provisions)

-Basketball England Equality and anti-discriminatory policies

Commitments and responsibilities

Masters Basketball League will:

  • Implement policies and practices that promote fairness and accessibility
  • Respond swiftly and effectively to concerns regarding discrimination, unfair treatment or exclusion.
  • Regularly review and monitor EDI progress to ensure continual improvement (Annually)

Member Responsibilities

All members participants and officials must:

  • Treat others with respect and fairness, behaving in a way that does not subject any others to Discrimination (including direct or indirect Discrimination), Harassment or Victimisation.
  • Challenge and Report discrimination, exclusion or unfair treatment.
  • Encourage a welcoming and inclusive culture within the Masters Basketball League community
  • Abide by all applicable laws
  • Abide by all Basketball rules
  • Act in accordance with any other requirements and instructions which Masters Basketball League reasonably imposes in connection with EDI obligations imposed on Masters Basketball League at any time
  • Undertake, or refrain from undertaking such acts as Masters Basketball League requests so as to enable Masters Basketball League to comply with and deliver its EDI obligations and strategy.

Reporting and Support

Masters Basketball League does not tolerate any form of unlawful or unfair Discrimination, Victimisation, Bullying or Harassment and will take appropriate action against any Club, Participant, official or staff member who commits or assists others in committing such an act. It should also be noted that non-conformation with this policy may also be an unlawful act subject to criminal prosecution and potential litigation.

Concerns should be reported to the committee as soon as practically possible (info@mastersbasketballeague.co.uk). All reports will be handled discreetly and confidentially with safeguarding any party from further negative treatment.

External support

Here are some external sources of support:

Breaches of this policy

Masters Basketball League takes a strict approach to breaches of this policy and ALL breaches will be dealt with in accordance with the disciplinary code.

Data protection and confidentiality

All cases arising under this policy and in particular all participant and staff information provided to Masters Basketball League under this policy will be dealt with in strict confidence at all times in accordance with the provisions of the Data protection Legislation and Masters Basketball League policies in place from time to time.

So far as is practicable and appropriate confidentiality will be maintained at all times in respect of those involved in any process arising under this policy unless there is an overriding obligation in the interests of Masters Basketball League / Basketball England /BBF /FIBA and/or the participant or staff and safety for such information to be shared with other interested parties.

Masters Basketball League will not comment publicly on any specified facts of a pending or concluded case (as opposed to general descriptions of the process or science involved) except in response to public comments attributed to the participant or staff involved or their representatives

Monitoring and review

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect best practices and emerging challenges.

Last updated June 2026.

Next review June 2027

This policy will continue to be monitored to ensure its effectiveness in accordance to meeting Masters Basketball Leagues EDI objectives and to identify areas where further resources or support are required to achieve these objectives.

Masters Basketball League will also monitor the treatment and outcomes of any Concerns of Discrimination, Harassment or Victimisation to ensure that they are properly investigated and resolved, those who report or act as witnesses are not victimised, repeat offenders are dealt with appropriately, cultural clashes are identified and resolved.