Day: 11 February 2021

Mitcham & Carshalton Rugby Club Becomes First Affiliate Member of International Gay Rugby

11th February, London, UK: Mitcham & Carshalton Rugby Club are delighted to confirm that they have been granted Affiliate Membership of the IGR (International Gay Rugby), the first club in England to receive it.

Affiliate membership is the mechanism by which a community rugby club can register it’s support for the aims and goals of the inclusive rugby community, and as a result be granted non-voting membership.

Mitcham’s Director of Rugby Edward Marsh expressed his delight with the decision. “This is another step in creating a club that is welcoming to all, open to all, offering Rugby for all. We will never stop the pursuit of excellence on and off the pitch as we continue to grow, this association is another important milestone on that journey.“

In 2020, the club welcomed gay & inclusive side, the London Stags to the club, who share the club’s facilities as well as a number of players who now train for both sides. Michael Smith, Chairman of the London Stags added “We’re thrilled that M&C have become an affiliate member of the IGR. M&C welcomed us into their rugby home and family. It feels very apt that they have joined ours too!”.

Before the pandemic caused the several nationwide lockdown, the club had planned to host London Pride 7s. This will be a first of its kind tournament in South London, looking to champion inclusive rugby, with clubs around the country travelling to take part. This was unfortunately postponed, but the club is optimistic that it will take place this year once it is safe to do so.

“The health and wellbeing of players is paramount, and we will continue to follow the guidance laid out by the RFU and the Government. We are still hugely optimistic that we will be able to host London Pride 7s at Mitcham & Carshalton in 2021” said Mitcham & Carshalton Chairman, Keir Waller. “Being able to host an inaugural inclusive rugby Tournament and to become be an affiliate member of the IGR is such a privilege and we’re very keen to make this event a long-term event on everyone’s calendar. The club has progressed so much in the last few years and it’s fantastic that we’re able to champion inclusive rugby.”

11th February 2021 0 comment

TSF News

European Sports Charter and Human Rights in Sport: resolutions adopted at Conference of Ministers

written by Hugh OBrien

Strasbourg, 11.02.2021 – The 16th Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport of the Council of Europe, organised in line with the activities of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), today has adopted two resolutions :

1) A European approach to sport policies: the revision of the European Sports Charter
The Ministers stressed that the revised text should facilitate access to sports for all layers of society, inter alia through investing in infrastructures for the practice of physical activity at the grassroots level, both inside and outside school settings. They also encouraged member States to develop national sports strategies, as well as exchange best practices and experiences.

2) Human rights in sport
Considering the importance of a human rights-based approach while addressing sport integrity issues such as safety, security and service at sports events, combatting doping and the manipulation of sports competitions, the Ministers encouraged member States to further enhance the protection and promotion of human rights in this field, as well as to promote sport and its many social and individual benefits to strengthen society’s resilience to global crises.

The session has been chaired by Lefteris Avgenakis, Deputy Minister of Culture and Sport, Greece. Closing speeches have been delivered by Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni and Niels Nygaard, Acting President of the European Olympic Committees.

The next Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport will take place in Turkey (date to be confirmed).

The closing session concluded the five different parts of the event spread out over a period of several weeks (see the Agenda and the videos from previous sessions).

Speech by Lefteris Avgenakis, Deputy Minister of Culture and Sport, Greece (in Greek)
Speech by Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni
Speech by Niels Nygaard, Acting President of the European Olympic Committees

Background info for the media

European Sports Charter
The European Sports Charter, continental pioneering reference point for the development of sport policies, provides normative guidance in the field since its adoption in 1992 with the latest update in 2001 (the Code of Sports Ethics acts as a complement to it). Since then, sport has changed substantially and therefore the need for a revision.

Human rights in sport
The Ministerial Conference discussed the role and application of human rights in sports in light of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the work of Council of Europe specialised bodies. It also considered how leaders of the sport movement could be made aware of human rights and how sports policies could integrate these issues. These debates were illustrated by examples such as the right to a fair trial in disciplinary proceedings, the right to physical integrity of children and the protection of economic and social rights in sport.

EPAS
The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) was created in 2007 to meet the challenges facing sport today in Europe. It serves as a platform for the public authorities of 40 member States, fostering dialogue between ministers, sports federations and NGOs and ensuring compliance with ethical and positive values. Twenty-five sports organisations (including ENGSO, UEFA and the EOC) are partners of EPAS making up its Consultative Committee. Previous Council of Europe Conferences of Ministers responsible for Sport organised by EPAS: Athens 2008, Baku 2010, Belgrade 2012, Macolin /Magglingen 2014, Budapest 2016 and Tbilisi in 2018.

Council of Europe Conventions in the field of sport:
– Anti-Doping Convention (CETS No. 135)
– Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (CETS No. 215)
– Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (CETS No. 218)

The Council of Europe has established co-operation with key stakeholders in the field of sport and the sport movement. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been concluded with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) in November 2016. A MoU has been signed in Strasbourg with UEFA and with FIFA (Memorandum of Understanding) in 2018.

11th February 2021 0 comment