The Equality Standard was introduced in to ensure that all sporting governing bodies work towards making their sport accessible to all.

Rugby League was one of the first national governing bodies of sport to achieve the preliminary level of the equality standard. Essentially this was about demonstrating a commitment to equality and diversity and ensuring that policies and procedures are in place.

We are now working towards achieving the intermediate level this will be more challenging as it is not just about having the right policies in place but about making a real difference. We need to show how policies and programmes have led to increase in participation in the governing body and the wider sport across all 6 areas; gender, race, disability, religion and faith, age, and sexual orientation. Not only are we looking at the numbers of people accessing the sport but at the quality of their experience of Rugby League, we want everyone’s experiences of Rugby League to be positive and offer the best opportunities for each individual to fulfill their potential.

Intermediate level

The Intermediate level builds on the commitment and action demonstrated at Foundation and Preliminary levels. At this stage, demonstrable change in the organisation can be evidenced as the action plan and positive action schemes take effect. The benefits of delivering positive action schemes are rarely produced immediately and organisations should expect to progress through the Intermediate level over a period of two years or more.

UK Sport Equality Standard - Intermediate level

Developing your organisation
  
1. RFL has increased the diversity of leadership staff, board and senior volunteers

a) Action plan progress

b) Training on Equality and Diversity

c) Positive action schemes

d) Monitoring data to demonstrate increased diversity
 
2. RFL internal policies and procedures play due regard to diversity

a) Equality impact assessment

b) Communicate results set review date

Developing your services
  
1. RFL has increased diversity of people participating / using its services

a) Positive action programmes / partnerships programmes

b) Monitoring to demonstrate increased diversity
 
2. People inside and outside RFL are aware of successes and achievements in working towards equality

a) Positively promote RFL’s commitment to equality and diversity and action plan

b) In diverse range of media outlets