Thu 29 Jan - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 2mins
Derby County have been awarded Bronze status under the EFL Equality Code of Practice, recognising the club’s ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, both on and off the pitch.
As part of the Equality Code of Practice, clubs are encouraged to understand their local communities better and focus on addressing areas of under‑representation that are most relevant to their area.
The award comes after the club, in collaboration with Derby County Community Trust, submitted evidence of its extensive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices.
Feedback from the EFL shows the club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work was highly rated and showcased the continued commitment of the club to progress and grow in this area.
In achieving this, there are several initiatives that the club will be releasing more details of in due course.
These include the following:
Derby County’s Chief Operating Officer, Simon Carnall, said: “We are pleased to have once again achieved Bronze status in the EFL’s Code of Practice.
“The club submitted a significant amount of evidence to showcase our firm commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
“EDI is a strategic imperative that drives innovation, enhances collaboration, and strengthens our ability to deliver outstanding results - and the culture of EDI runs through the core of Derby County.
“I would like to thank and congratulate all our staff, across the club and Community Trust, as their continued hard work allows us to earn this recognition from the EFL.”
EFL Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, David McArdle, said: “The EFL has a proud and diverse fan base, and it is important that our clubs reflect the communities they represent, both on and off the pitch.
“The Equality Code of Practice is about helping clubs make meaningful, long‑term progress on equality, diversity and inclusion.
“It provides a clear framework while allowing each Club to focus on the needs of their own communities.
“Each club’s result is a reflection of the commitment, hard work and impact they deliver every season, and they should be proud of the progress they have made.”
First introduced in 2012, the Equality Code of Practice became a multi‑level accreditation scheme in the 2022/23 season and is now mandatory for all EFL clubs.
The framework helps clubs track their progress and continue improving year on year, with assessments taking place every other season and a dedicated development year in between.
