It is important to our club and our coaches that people with disabilities are able to enjoy boxing in the best way possible the same as a non-disabled person.
An increasing number of sports clubs throughout England are doing outstanding work to ensure that the experiences they offer are fully inclusive and we pride ourselves on being inclusive at Ultimate Boxing Academy / Ultimate Boxing.
The Equality Act 2010 defines disability as:
“a person that has a physical and mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long term’ negative effect on their ability to carry out normal daily activities.”
We have some strategic priorities that will shape the work which needs to take place in order to better enable deaf and disabled people to move forward in their personal development including physical activity and sport.
● Establish that deaf and disabled people are as welcome to use our facilities for the development of physical activity as anybody else.
● Build and maintain collaboration between organisations inside and outside of sport to reach more deaf and disabled people and inspire increased levels of physical activity.
● Ensure our staff are supported and encouraged to develop a more representative, motivational and well rounded training regime for everybody to enjoy regardless of physical or mental challenges.
ACCESSIBILITY GUIDANCE
At Ultimate Boxing Academy / Ultimate Boxing we have made ourselves and our premises available to a number or schools, Pupil Referral Units and specialist organisations who work with deaf and physically/mentally disabled people. Old Warren House and Everitt Academy have been bringing pupils to help with their challenges in life to good effect for a long time. We’ve worked with Waveney Deaf Society and are open to be contacted by any other organisation or individual who would like to take advantage of our expertise regardless of ability.
Our Lowestoft gym has ample room for wheelchairs to come through the front door and we have improved accessibility at Beccles by having a concrete ramp built where there used to be steps.
Both gyms are located within easy reach of public transport by bus and train.
Health Benefits Which Apply To Everybody Including Deaf and Disabled People.
EXERCISE FOR HEALTH.
By Dr. Mike Loosemore MBBS MSc PhD FFSEM, Lead Consultant Sports Physician English Institute of Sport.
• Humans evolved to be physically active.
• Physically active people have half the risk of diabetes, half the risk of some cancers, 30% fewer strokes, 40% fewer heart attacks, better mental health, stronger bones, 30% reduction in dementia.
• Unfortunately 70% of the population is not doing enough physical activity and this is reflected in the increasing amount of diabetes. People with disabilities are less physically active than the general population.
Boxing for Health
• Boxing is a complete fitness regime requiring both aerobic and anaerobic training. It uses every part of the body, for total fitness there is no better sport.
• A high level of self-discipline is required in boxing; many boxers have found these skills useful outside the sport.
• There is a strong anti-smoking anti-drugs ethos in boxing. Most boxers don’t smoke.
• Boxing is the most closely medically regulated of all sports, all boxers need a medical before they can take up competitive boxing, they then have a medical every year, and a medical check every time they box.
• Boxing is very safe as a contact sport with the same concussion rate as ice skating.
• Unlike other sports, serious injuries in boxing, such as broken limbs and broken necks, are almost unheard of.
• Boxing improves self confidence and self belief, allowing athletes to direct their energy in a positive way. Studies have shown that boxers do better economically and socially than their peers who do not box.
Ultimate Boxing Academy / Ultimate Boxing wish to play a part in increasing levels of activity in the population with deafness and disabilities.
For more information and guidance on this subject please contact club secretary Wendy Nicholls by emailing ultimateboxingsecretary@gmail.com
Alternatively, for advice on possible bookings for deaf or disabled individuals/groups contact Matt Smith by telephone on 07889731717.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY.
Ultimate Boxing Academy / Ultimate Boxing are committed to encouraging equality, diversity
and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.
The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our
customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.
The organisation – in providing goods and/or services and/or facilities – is also committed
against unlawful discrimination of customers or the public.
This policy’s purpose is to:
- Provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment or self-employment whether temporary, part-time or full-time
- Not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of:
- age
· disability
· gender reassignment
· marriage and civil partnership
· pregnancy and maternity
· race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin)
· religion or belief
· sex
· sexual orientation
- Oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful discrimination. This includes in:
- pay and benefits
· terms and conditions of employment
· dealing with grievances and discipline
· dismissal
· redundancy
· leave for parents
· requests for flexible working
· selection for employment, promotion, training or other developmental
opportunities
The organisation commits to:
- Encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace as they are good practice and
make business sense - Create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful
discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the
contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.
This commitment includes training managers and all other employees about their rights and
responsibilities under the equality, diversity and inclusion policy. Responsibilities include staff
conducting themselves to help the organisation provide equal opportunities in employment,
and prevent bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.
All staff should understand they, as well as their employer, can be held liable for acts of
bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, in the course of their
employment, against fellow employees, customers, suppliers and the public
- Take serious complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination
by fellow employees, customers, suppliers, visitors, the public and any others in the course
of the organisation’s work activities.
Such acts will be dealt with as misconduct under the organisation’s grievance and/or
disciplinary procedures, and appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints
could amount to gross misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.
Further, sexual harassment may amount to both an employment rights matter and a criminal
matter, such as in sexual assault allegations. In addition, harassment under the Protection
from Harassment Act 1997 – which is not limited to circumstances where harassment relates
to a protected characteristic – is a criminal offence. - Make opportunities for training, development and progress available to all staff, who will
be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so their talents and resources can
be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the organisation. - Make decisions concerning staff being based on merit (apart from in any necessary and
limited exemptions and exceptions allowed under the Equality Act). - Review employment practices and procedures when necessary to ensure fairness, and
also update them and the policy to take account of changes in the law. - Monitor the make-up of the workforce regarding information such as age, sex, ethnic
background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability in encouraging equality,
diversity and inclusion, and in meeting the aims and commitments set out in the equality,
diversity and inclusion policy.
Monitoring will also include assessing how the equality, diversity and inclusion policy, and
any supporting action plan, are working in practice, reviewing them annually, and
considering and taking action to address any issues.
CONTACTS:
Ultimate Boxing / Ultimate Boxing Academy
Head Coach: Matt Smith
Phone/email: 07889731717 / ultimateboxing@sky.com
Club Welfare Officer: Gareth Edwards
Phone/email: 07983 721951 / info@progressboxing-fitness.co.uk
Eastern Counties Regional Welfare Officer: Kerry Norfolk
Phone/email: 01986 788170 / kerry.norfolk@hotmail.co.uk
England Boxing Website https://www.englandboxing.org/
NSPCC Helpline:` 0808 800 5000
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
POLICY LAST REVIEWED: 03/01/2024