British Canoeing launches new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

The strategy states they "will ensure there is more equal access to paddling, ongoing championing of diversity in all paddling communities, and that we make a greater effort to better understand how we can collectively create inclusive and welcoming environments where everyone is able to enjoy paddling, regardless of their identity, background or circumstances".

To achieve this vision several key areas have been established including, building insight and knowledge, excellent governance and systems and championing diversity. They also published 10 clear ambitions.

British Canoeing has developed its inclusion agenda over the years. Some examples include the successful #ShePaddles programme. Also, establishing the Inclusion Advisory Group in 2021 and creating new resources and learning opportunities for the paddling community. The organisation says that the #WePaddleTogether represents a more collaborative and holistic organisational approach to inclusion.

Helena Russo, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, British Canoeing said:

The way in which this strategy was developed, and the ambitions that have been identified, set out the path for how we will deliver it - in partnership; with wholesale commitment from British Canoeing; and with robust check-and-challenge along the way. My thanks goes to the many people who were involved in this process, including the IAG and our internal staff network. While we’ve given ourselves plenty to do, I am excited to see what we achieve in the next three years.

 Ashley Metcalfe, CEO, British Canoeing added:

As we look to implement our strategy, we need to embed equality, diversity and inclusion into all our policies, practices and behaviours, ensuring that our objectives are adopted, monitored and reviewed ensuring we can move forwards, make progress and over the next few years deliver real, meaningful change.

Actions the organisation are committing to taking within this strategy are aligned to each of the ten ambitions from their overall strategy, Stronger Together 2022-26. These include:

• Delivering focused initiatives that address disparities in representation across the paddling community
• Celebrating diverse role models and sharing examples of inclusive practice as learning opportunities
• Engaging and supporting our people to be advocates for inclusion
• Gaining further insight into how communities access our sport, activities and programmes and how they can remove barriers for under-represented groups
• Improving our knowledge on all aspects of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and cascading this within the paddling community
• Listening to diverse, intersectional voices from the paddlesport community on a range of issues, to implement change and provide equitable services for all

Nancy Squires, Director of Governance, British Canoeing said:

#WePaddleTogether is an exciting step in our journey to becoming a more inclusive and diverse organisation to be a part of. We are publishing this strategy in the spirit of transparency and will report openly and honestly on progress made against the objectives we have set ourselves to members and key stakeholders. We hope that everyone in our paddling community will join us on this journey, identifying opportunities to support this work and making a positive impact on our sport and recreation.

Find more information, including an accessible copy of the strategy, on the British Canoeing website