London Charity Softball League (LCSL)

The London Charity Softball League is committed to being an organisation that is truly representative of London and the charity sector. We intend to achieve this by facilitating an authentic approach to equality, diversity and inclusion within the league including in individual teams as well as the entire network.

We want each player to feel respected, welcomed and supported by their own teams, opposition, and the league.

EDI Goals

To ensure:

• all communities feel safe, respected, and welcomed to play in the London Charity Softball League across all its events in the year.
• able-bodied, cis-identifying, white players - which forms the majority of the league – build teams that are easily accessible to disabled, LGBTQI+, and non-white communities during the recruitment process.
• softball rules and regulations are reflective of the needs of all players. For e.g., basic sign language used by the umpire to indicate state of play.
• all captains and vice-captains are respectful and inclusive in their approach and practice of the softball rules, to their own players and to opponents.
• all captains and vice-captains are aware of their blind spots and challenge themselves to be more inclusive as a team.
• all captains can approach the Committee to ask for support when considering how they will action the goals

EDI Objectives

• Ensure softball and all related league interactions are free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and discrimination.
• Promote dignity and respect for all where individual differences are recognised and valued.
• Take acts of discrimination and violations of EDI rules seriously and take appropriate action.
• Create equal opportunities for all people from minority backgrounds to network with all members of the league at every level, including being on the committee, the EDI Advisory Group and any subsequent groups that are created
• Foster and promote good relations between people from all backgrounds

EDI Targets

• To increase the number of Black and minority groups by 10% by 2024 – the league is currently 85% white
• To increase the number of LGBTQi+ players by 2024
• To increase the number of disabled people by 15% by 2024
• monitor the make-up of the league regarding information such as age, sex, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability to encourage equality, diversity and inclusion and to meet the League’s EDI objectives. Assess the impact of the EDI policy are working in practice, review them annually, and take action to address issues.

The EDI Advisory Group

The EDI Advisory Group is responsible for shaping and coordinating the EDI strategy and ensuring the tasks set out in the accompanying action plan are completed in good time.

The role of this group is to act as ‘critical friends’ to The Committee and to provide captains and teammates with the opportunity to contribute to development of the EDI agenda. Captains and Teams will identify and suggest ways to address any barriers to the progress of disadvantaged groups.

Action points:

• Captains must ensure all minority and protected groups are aware of and can access information about the League. To work with them to understand why communities are underrepresented in their respective teams and ensure that the game is promoted appropriately. Organise taster sessions, both virtually and on the field.
• Captains must ensure that all communities feel welcomed in their team. Softball is not a male or female game – it is for everyone no matter how people identify. Race, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and gender-expanding individuals must be included. Yours and your team’s role is to make sure that everyone is encouraged to play and that you help create an environment where they feel safe and confident to join the team.
• For all captains, players and The Committee to work together and be ambassadors for the league to help promote diversity and inclusivity and encourage more people from protected groups to take part

Captains should make opposing captain’s aware that there is a player/ are players who require suitable adjustments to play:

• Deaf players should be included by opponents using basic sign language (to be provided by The Committee) throughout the match
• Blind/ visually impaired players should be able to use a larger ball
• Players with a learning disability should have the rules provided in accessible format with coaching permitted as deemed necessary by the player