4. Responsibility for implementation of the Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Diversity and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility: not responding to discriminatory or unacceptable language and behaviour is not an option.

• The club’s Committee and Chair have overall accountability for this Policy and Reporting Procedure, for being the strategic lead on diversity and inclusion and for ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation (see Appendix for details).

• The club’s chair Janet Swift and Welfare Officer Janet Swift have overall responsibility for implementation of the policy.

• The Chair and Welfare Officer of the club are responsible for updating this Policy and Reporting Procedure in line with legislative and organisational developments; and develop a strategic and proactive approach to diversity and inclusion and respond to discrimination concerns.

• The Hanbury Tennis Club’s Welfare Officer Janet Swift, is responsible for supporting  the club to identify where diversity and inclusion support is required; to implement safe and inclusive procedures; promote diversity and inclusion principles, including the Safeguarding and Reporting Procedure, to all the venues they manage, programmes, events and individuals including players, parents and carers.

• All staff, consultants, coaches, officials and volunteers involved in tennis are responsible for raising diversity and inclusion concerns with the club’s Welfare Officer to start with; then the Safe and Inclusive Tennis team if applicable, as outlined in the Reporting Procedure.

• Players, parents and guardians are responsible for upholding the Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure.

• The Hanbury Lawn Tennis Club committed to:

o formally adopt this policy, 

o take steps to ensure that our committee, members, participants and volunteers behave in accordance with the policy, including where appropriate taking disciplinary action under our constitution;

o ensure that access to membership as well as access to participation is open and inclusive;

o publish accurate information about the location and accessibility of our facilities; and

o support measures and initiatives that British Tennis may institute or take part in to advance the aims of this policy as part of our commitment to our LTA membership.  

Where there is a diversity and inclusion concern/disclosure: 

• The individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for following the Concern Reporting Procedure above 

5. Breaches of the Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Standards, Code of Conduct and Reporting Procedure

Where there are concerns that diversity and inclusion good practice has not been followed, all staff are encouraged to follow your club’s whistleblowing policy; consultants, coaches, officials, volunteers and players are encouraged to: 

If someone comes to you with a concern around discrimination, listen to their complaint, reassure them and advise them of the routes listed above (1-3).

Breaches of this Policy and/or failure to comply with the outlined responsibilities may result in the following by the LTA, Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and/or the Tennis Foundation:

• Venues – Potential removal of LTA accreditation 

• Staff – disciplinary action leading to possible dismissal and legal action.

• Contracted consultants, officials and coaches – termination of current and future roles within all four organisations and possible legal action.

• Recruited volunteers, including councillors and board members – termination of current and future roles within all four organisations and possible legal action.

Actions taken by staff, consultants, volunteers, officials, coaches, venues, clubs and/or events outside of the LTA, Tennis Scotland, Tennis Wales and/or the Tennis Foundation that are seen to contradict this Policy may be considered a violation of this Policy. 

Where an appeal is lodged in response to a safeguarding decision made by the LTA Safe and Inclusive Tennis Team and Safeguarding and Protection Committee and/or Licensing and Registration Committee, an independent appeal body such as Sport Resolutions may be used. Their decision is final.

6. Related policies and guidance

Safe and Inclusive

Hanbury Lawn Tennis Club -  Code of Conduct

• Prioritise the well-being of all children and adults at all times

• Be a positive role model. Act with integrity, even when no one is looking

• Help to create a safe and inclusive environment both on and off court and promote the

• Fair Play values: enjoy; respect

• Value and celebrate diversity and make all reasonable efforts to meet individual needs

• Keep clear boundaries between your professional and personal life, including on social media

• Check you have the relevant consent from parents/carers, children and adults before taking or

• using photos and videos

• Ensure your own roles and responsibilities, and those of everyone you are responsible for, are

• clearly outlined and everyone has the information, training and support to carry them out

• Where possible, do not be alone with a child or adult at risk; if you have to be alone with a child or adult at risk; let someone know such as a carer, club secretary, volunteer etc.

• Do not abuse, neglect, harm or discriminate against anyone; or act in a way that may be

• interpreted as such*

• Doing nothing is NOT an option: report all concerns and disclosures as soon as possible, following the Concern Reporting Procedure. If someone is in immediate danger, dial 999.

*It is illegal to have a relationship with someone who is under 18 years old if you are in a position of

trust; it is illegal to have a sexual relationship with anyone under the age of 16 whether they give

consent or not.

This Code of Conduct should be interpreted in a spirit of integrity, transparency and common sense, with the best interests of children and adults at risk as the primary consideration.