Elect gender-equity captains
Gender Equity captains are trusted persons that are the first point of contact for gender issues and are responsible for implementing gender equity measures within the association or the team. Some players already take this responsibility unofficially. However, it is good to make it an official and clear role within your team or association.
Gender equity is often a subject addressed in a club or a team because one player feels that it is an important topic, therefore, decides to put it on the table and take action. But what happens for teams or clubs when no one chooses to take matters into their own hands?
As an association, it is important to have multiplicators that can support the implementation of gender equity principles in the various branches and teams.
The responsibilities of these gender-equity captains should be clearly defined and communicated within the association and team, also making sure that the chosen person is comfortable with all of these. They include and are not limited to:
Inform their colleagues and teammates about gender equity
Give feedback and inform coaches and leaders about gender equity issues
Be trustworthy and the first point of contact for safety and inclusivity issues, and ensure confidentiality is respected in these discussions.
Report to management about safety and inclusivity situations directly seen or reported by others (whistleblower system)
Support the management in their handling of these issues
Parallel to the Spirit of the Game captains, more ultimate clubs are introducing the role of the gender-equity captains that support the Spirit captains, especially in terms of safety, inclusivity and gender equity issues. This gives a clear space for teams, clubs and players to improve on the topic, opens the discussion and assess how safe the team environment is in terms of inclusivity. This role can also be defined as part of the association’s safeguarding and inclusivity policy.