1Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

Sports Equity+ International Foundation Policy Plan 2021

© Stichting Sports Equity International, Netherlands, 2021Any part of this publication may be cited, copied, translated into other languages or adapted to meet local needs without prior permission from Stichting Sports Equity International, provided that the source is clearly stated.

Cover photo: © Drobot Dean / Adobe Stock

Contact us:Requests for commercial reproduction should be directed to: colab@sportsequity.org

Address: Lumeijstraat 3-2hg, 1056 VS. Amsterdam, The Netherlands.E: colab@sportsequity.org / W: www.sportsequity.org

3Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

Content00Message from Sports Equity Chair 401. Introduction 602. Activities performed by the Sports Equity+ 803. Fundraising & Management of Assets 904. Use of institution’s assets 1105. Conclusion 12

4

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

In Africa they say “walk the talk”, I heard this expression time and time again during my missions across the African continent, on behalf of FIFA. It is a way of paraphrasing “to put your words into actions”, or “to do what you say”. I founded Sports Equity+ with that exact principle in mind. Over the years I learned about the obstacles that leaders, athletes, coaches and organisations face in sports. We hear leaders advocating, promoting and talking about the value of equality and diversity to overcome those obstacles. This is usually followed by the phrase: “there is more work to be done”, but often little tends to happen thereafter. We miss important development and economic opportunities by perpet-uating governance models that were appropriate for sports 20, 30 years ago or more. At Sports Equity+, we want to foster a sustainable sports ecosystem and build a culture of learning, co-creating and co-delivering sports models aligned with the core principles of: equity, progressive governance, representation and economic empowerment. For this to happen, we roll up our sleeves, and we work hard!

The world is evolving: The impact of the global health crisis, COVID-19, has brought to light the need for organizations and people to adapt and embrace a new reality of how the world must operate. Sports have been impacted by the pandemic particularly. The pandemic has had a profound impact on athletes, workers and revenue streams across the industry.

MESSAGE FROM SPORTS EQUITY CHAIR

WELCOME TO SPORTS EQUITY+

5

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

Every part of the sporting value chain has been affected. For the sporting industry to recover, and sport to continue to be able to play a positive role in society, there is a need for a paradigm shift. Looking far ahead after a period of unprecedented change can be daunting, but it’s essential for any organization anticipating a sustainable future, to understand the possibilities that lie beyond and to thrive. The future of sports, athlete pathways, development, competitions and business will look very different than what was once anticipated. The already accelerated digital development and use of technology applied to sports will inevitably grow faster still. Times of disruption are also a time for opportunity. Are you ready? At sports equity we act with an “athlete-like approach”. Knowing we cannot solve all problems at once, we focus our efforts effectively: with the right technique athletes can run faster and jump higher and so can we. We Build, We Mobilise, and We Deliver.

Organisational success in today’s world requires agility and positive disruption. Drawing on our experiences and conversations with players, coaches, officials, business leaders; Sports Equity+ provides a platform for all to engage, contribute, learn and co-create solutions. Building an inclusive future and greater prosperity in sports will be through progressive leadership and equal access to opportunities.

WE BELIEVE IN

EQUITY+: equality + diversity = greater development and economic potential. Do you? Then come and join us!

Mayi Cruz Blanco – MCBCo-founder and chair Sports Equity+ International

6

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

01. INTRODUCTION

Propelled by the cultural, economic, gender, racial, and governance barriers in sports; we are building a concerted movement to use the power of sports to create change from within.

Sports Equity+ was founded in 2018, as a global home for developing initiatives, research, programmes and partnerships, focused on making the world of sports a fairer, more accessible, and better place.

WE ENVISION A WORLD OF EQUITY AND SHARED PROSPERITY IN SPORTS GLOBALLY.

7

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

Our mission is to foster a sustainable sports ecosystem, through equity, progressive governance, representation and economic empowerment. These are the four core pillars we believe are fundamental to advance development at all levels in sports:

EQUITY: Advocating open participation and equal access to opportunities, based on merit, for all interested parties in or around sports, from grassroots to the boardroom.

PROGRESSIVE GOVERNANCE: Fostering ‘best-practice’ governance that reflects the highest of standards across sports, with respect to human rights, the rule of law, transparency and responsibility for the common good.

REPRESENTATION: Bringing forward the agenda of true representation in sports; ensuring all voices can be and are heard, in order to help form the decision-making process.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Co-developing and advancing sustainable economic models that allows for a shared and thriving economic prosperity across the sports ecosystem.

The sport industry is vast, so we take a step-by-step approach to system change. Starting with a strong focus on the football ecosystem; we welcome projects and partners from the wider sport world.

8

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

02. ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY THE SPORTS EQUITY+

Through an advisory and research agenda, Sports Equity+ will run innovation projects and initiatives to design and test new solutions that have the potential to change the world of sports. These will be delivered in consortium with experts and partners; producing prototypes that can be taken forward by sports organisations and other stakeholders.

Our advisory and research agenda is focused on the following areas:

Advisory and research areas:

• Leadership growth and governance: researching supporting sports organisations with strategic advisory and governance assessment. A pathway to co- build an inclusive organisational strategy and leadership growth journey.

• Intelligence and research: accelerating sporting intelligence powered by sharing data, insights and research; that advances inclusive development, participation and increases competitive balance.

• Digital innovation and fan engagement: helping sports organisations to audit and build an inclusive and effective digital strategy that drives long-term sustainable growth.

• Economic-models innovation: We seek to co-develop new and sustainable models of economic development and inclusive operating systems in sports.

ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS IN TODAY’S WORLD REQUIRES AGILITY, POSITIVE DISRUPTION AND DIVERSITY. SPORTS EQUITY+ OPERATES AS A PLATFORM FOR INDIVIDUALS, EXPERTS, ORGANIZATIONS, SPORTS BODIES AND INSTITUTIONS TO ENGAGE, CONTRIBUTE, LEARN AND CO-CREATE SOLUTIONS.

9

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

03. FUNDRAISING & MANAGEMENT OF ASSETS

It is mandatory for each donor/sponsor who is, or seeks to be, part of or contribute towards the Sports Equity International,, to adhere to the following criteria (as a minimum):

Operate in good faith and with integrity towards Sports Equity International.

To be open, transparent and conduct themselves in a manner befitting the mission statements of Sports Equity International.

For an individual, or in the case of an organisation: the board members, to adhere at all times to the Articles set out in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as set out here: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

For an individual, or a board member of an organisation, to adhere to the Fundamental Principles of Olympism described in the Olympic Charter, as set out here: Olympic Charter

For an individual, not to have been convicted for any intentional indictable offence or breach of the Rules of Conduct described in the FIFA Code of Ethics, as set out here: FIFA Code of Ethics

For an organisation, not to have a board member (either as executive or non-executive director or otherwise) who has been convicted for any intentional indictable offence or breach of the Rules of Conduct described in the FIFA Code of Ethics, as set out here: FIFA Code of Ethics

Not impose any conditions in order to: (i) become a member of; or (ii) provide funds towards, Sports Equity International, which contradict the mission statements of Sports Equity International.

Not have any existing, or develop any potential, conflict of interest as a member of, or contributor towards, Sports Equity International.

To be willing to assist, and cooperate with the provision of information, including documentation, at the reasonable request of Sports Equity International, in respect of adherence to the eligibility requirements set out herein.

WE SEEK FUNDING FROM LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS WHO SEEK TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT BEST-PRACTICE FOR SPORTS GOVERNANCE.

All final decisions as to the eligibility of a person or organisation to be a member of, or contribute towards, Sports Equity International shall be given at the sole discretion of Sports Equity International Board & Directors.

1

7

8

9

2

3

4

5

6

10

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

The Foundation holds a bank account in the Netherlands, accessible by the Sports Equity International Finance Director only.

Budget Allocation for the various activations is determined by the board at the beginning of each calendar year and a full set of accounts published at Financial Year End.

Corporate Governance guidelines as set out in the Deed of Incorporation available here: Deed of Incorporation

11

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

04. USE OF INSTITUTION’S ASSETS

Allocation of assets is determined by (in no particular order):

• Administration overheads.

• Salaries, remuneration, and service fees.

• Foundation Activities.

• Conditions imposed by donors that align with the 4 pillars for sports governance e.g. funds should only be used for research purposes in the field of Equity.

USE OF SPORTS EQUITY+ FUNDS/ASSETS ARE REPORTED IN ANNUAL FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE ON THE FOUNDATION WEBSITE.

12

Sports Equity Foundation Policy Plan 2021

05. CONCLUSION

AS THE SPORTS EQUITY+ LAUNCHES WE ARE ACUTELY AWARE THAT OUR AMBITIONS ARE GREAT, AND AS WE PROGRESS ALONG THIS JOURNEY WE WILL ENCOUNTER BOTH SOLUTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS.

It is not the aim of Sports Equity+ to criticise or cast aspersions on the current state of affairs within sports governance but instead to provide a safe space for people and organisations who like to consider alternatives and ask the question: “can we do things differently?”.

In real terms, the objective of Sports Equity+ is to provide alternative models of sports governance, for any person or organisation to engage with as they see fit.

In philosophical terms, we like the statement of George Mallory, the famed mountaineer, who when asked

“What is the use of climbing Mount Everest?” responded as follows:

“What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to live. That is what life means and what life is for.”