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Why Diversity Matters for Swim Clubs
- USA Swimming website, Clubs
What do we mean when we speak of diversity? There is no shortage of definitions for diversity from the painfully detailed to the ultra-simplified, but here is a great definition that captures the essence in general terms…
"Diversity refers to human qualities that are different from our own and those of groups to which we belong; but that are manifested in other individuals and groups. Dimensions of diversity include but are not limited to: age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, work experience and job classification."
As stated above, diversity as a concept focuses on a broader set of qualities than race and gender. In the context of the swim club, valuing diversity means creating a club environment that respects and includes differences, recognizing and valuing the unique contributions that diverse individuals can make. Diversity broadens the competitive pool of talent and creates an environment that maximizes the potential of all participants including parents, swimmers, volunteers, board members and coaches.
Diversity is also about having the long term goal that the club environment should generally reflect the population of the community it serves. If the club is located in a diverse community, the swim club should have a diverse membership. Emphasizing diversity moves the club beyond considerations of only race and gender and includes the other dimensions of diversity mentioned above. Fostering diversity is broader than strict “affirmative action” and is purely voluntary in nature: it’s the right thing to do!
Actions that promote diversity for clubs are those that lead to a club environment that maximizes the potential of all members and staff while acknowledging their unique contributions and differences. Educating club leaders and staff on how to work effectively in a diverse environment will help swim clubs prevent unintentional discrimination and promote inclusiveness. This may mean addressing individual attitudes and behaviors. Diversity workshops can help club leaders learn a variety of options to enhance diversity and understand how to consistently apply fair practices and procedures.
Enhancing our sport’s responsiveness to an increasingly diverse world will foster positive relations with the surrounding communities, increase the sport’s ability to cope with change and expand creativity. In addition to contributing to these worthy goals, diversity can contribute to goals unique to the swim community by expanding the sport to new and emerging talent pools that can positively affect both the competitiveness and the appeal of swimming.