Abstract
Research question
The purpose of this research was to examine the discourses that informed the interpretations and implementation of the UK's Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport (Sport Councils Equality Group, 2012a). The research is informed by discourse analysis in the context of the critical paradigm.
Research methods
Semi-structured interviews were held with five key senior staff from three publicly funded National Governing Bodies (NGBs) in England. A textual analysis of the Equality Standard was also conducted. A multiple coding approach was used for analysis.
Results and findings
The Standard's requirements provided a useful framework for NGBs to strategise their engagement with equality development. The Standard revealed a lack of engagement with debates about power relations and equality. Respondents interpreted the Standard through the business and social justice cases. The findings revealed that both approaches are valuable to the Standard's implementation by NGB leaders. More research needs to be undertaken to acknowledge the complexities of implementing equality within the competing pressures on NGBs' resources.
Implications
: The equality discourse needs to be reviewed to develop a framework that is more valuable to the NGBs. Three areas of research are recommended: first, to examine the impact of the latest relevant policy The UK Government's Sporting Future (2015); second to develop a workable equity framework that embraces the intersection of power relations with the potential positive impacts of the business case and the social justice case; and third investigate the impact of national equality policies at regional and grassroots levels.