Improving Environments

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Improving Environments

• Increasing participation and improving
  participant satisfaction

2
Improving Environments

• For players and clubs to be in an environment
  that makes playing Rugby League available to the
  maximum number of people possible with the
  minimum number of barriers and the best quality
  conditions

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Why is improving environments important?

• Create a welcoming environment for all
• Raise the reputation of the club
• Increase long term loyalty to the club
• Make it a safer club
• Work towards or retain Club Mark
• Become a community club not just a
• club within the community

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What are the barriers?

• Barriers can be REAL or PERCEIVED
• As a club we can work with both Real and
  Perceived barriers we just need to know what
  they are.
• There are groups more likely to experience
  barriers socio-economic women and girls, Black
  and Minority Ethnic (BME), disabled, people of
  faith, lesbian. gay and bisexual
• Humans are creatures of habit. If you have never
  been to a rugby club, you probably arent likely
  to go unless someone/something takes you there!

5
Socio-economic

• Potential Barriers
• In todays economic climate and the credit crunch
  more people may be finding it difficult to afford
  leisure activities
• Larger families may be particularly hard hit to
  meet cost of kit, subs etc

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Socio-economic

• WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• Second and subsequent child cheaper for subs
• Pay subs by installments
• Hardship fund with fair criteria
• Set up a boot and kit exchange
• Can your club provide water bottles and sunscreen

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Women and Girls

• POTENTIAL BARRIERS
• Rugby League can be seen as a male environment
• Lack of female role models
• Women and girls perceived to have less interest
  in rugby league as a sport

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Women and Girls

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Promote our female teams make sure they are on
  the website.
• Make sure women volunteers are not automatically
  directed to traditional roles such as catering
  and kit washing
• Work with schools to encourage female
  participation in the club
• Make the environment welcoming basic things
  like toilet facilities, changing room etiquette.

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Women and Girls

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• If you are thinking of starting up a Women or
  Girls team speak to women and girls and find
  out what they want and need!
• Girls may be body conscious - Allow girls to
  train in trackie bottoms if they choose
• Do not allow others to make comments about body
  shape (girls and boys!)

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Working with BME/Faith communities

• POTENTIAL BARRIERS
• Perception that RL is a white working class
  northern sport (in traditional areas)
• No-one like me at the club
• Lack of BME role models
• Fear of racism/bullying

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Working with BME/Faith communities

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Even if your club has no BME participants at the
  moment it is important to create a welcoming
  environment for away teams and any potential new
  members
• Respond to all incidents of racism appropriately
  and report incidents to RFL
• If someone from a BME background wants to get
  involved with the club ask what their needs are
  nobody minds being asked!
• Seek information about different faiths so you
  are aware of possible issues i.e. fasting,
  religious calendars, dress etc

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Working with BME/Faith communities

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Promote your club facilities as community meeting
  space for BME/ faith communities
• Look at possibility of having an alcohol free
  areas in club house for families, recovering
  alcoholics and people of faith
• RFL has a range of resources and information that
  may be useful and can be ordered. Contact RFL if
  you have any questions about BME or faith groups
• If you want help reaching BME communities or to
  find out about festivals and melas you might want
  to attend contact the RFL for help

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Working with Disabled People

• POTENTIAL BARRIERS
• Assume ground or club is not accessible
• No opportunities to get involved
• New area of development and may not be aware of
  opportunities that exist.
• Complex area due to the range of disabilities and
  legislation

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Working with Disabled People

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Children, parents and grandparents may be
  disabled and want to watch other family members
  playing
• Range of disabilities not just wheelchair users
• Work on one to one basis with that individual and
  their family, carers to overcome barriers. Focus
  on what a person can do rather than what they
  cant they may have unexpected talents that will
  benefit the club
• Disabled people may be able to play in mainstream
  teams
• Provide opportunities to train and be part of the
  team even if not able to play in competitive
  games

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Working with Disabled People

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Reasonable adjustments does not necessarily lead
  to prohibitive costs- signs for accessible route,
  space around table for wheelchair, learn simple
  BSL. Bring chairs to sidelines for people with
  restricted mobility and pregnant women. Be
  creative
• Not all children who display behavioural problems
  are just naughty they may have conditions such as
  ADHD, Aspergers, Tourettes, contact the RFL if
  you need any advice or information
• If a child/adult develops an illness or has an
  accident discuss with their parents /carers and
  see how they can still be involved
• If you have any questions or want some help,
  advice or information relating to disability
  contact the RFL

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Bullying and abuse

• POSSIBLE BARRIERS
• Assumption that bullying is something that just
  happens to children
• Some groups may be more vulnerable than others,
  i.e. racism and homophobia

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Bullying and abuse

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Promote the RESPECT campaign
• The RFL have very clear policies on bullying,
  abuse and Whistle blowing
• Display Anti bullying policy at club
• If you spot anyone in the club adult or child
  bullying another respond immediately
• The Club Welfare Officer has a vital role in
  ensuring the environment is seen as open and
  supportive to all players, volunteers and
  visitors.

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Bullying and abuse

• WHAT CAN WE DO?
• The Touch Line Manager has a role in monitoring
  and preventing any abusive behaviour on the
  sidelines
• Parents have a role to play in being role models
  to children and young people
• Coaches play a vital role in being a positive
  role model and preventing bullying and abuse
  within their team
• Contact RFL for information or resources

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Where can I get more help

• In League Together and Safeguarding website and
  newsletters will have articles on all aspects of
  the work
• Contact Sarah Williams for any information on
  working with diverse communities and where
  possible we will provide information and contacts
  to help your club
• Contact Colette Eden for any questions relating
  to Safeguarding and to report any issues of
  concern

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Summary

• There is help, information and advice if you need
  it RFL points of contact are Sarah and Colette
• Treat people as you would like to be treated
• RESPECT for other peoples cultures and
  backgrounds
• Provide a warm welcome to all new and existing
  people involved in your club
• It is the people who are key to making your clubs
  welcoming

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Any Questions?