USA Field Hockey Establishes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
by USA Field Hockey
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - August 11, 2020 - The USA Field Hockey Board of Directors approved the formation of a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Committee. The Committee’s vision is to instill racial and social justice through education and engagement while highlighting inclusion and empowerment of diverse individuals.
“We are committed to intentional diversity and meaningful inclusion as we fold it into all of the work we do,” said Bree Gillespie, USA Field Hockey’s Board of Directors Chair. “We understand the importance of acknowledging this and making the work we are doing actionable.”
This Committee, consisting of Board members and USA Field Hockey National Office staff, was formed to assess and review how the organization acts in the areas of diversity, equality, inclusion, accessibility and affordability, and to create an environment where the sport is equal for all. During the planning process, constituents and stakeholders from the field hockey community will have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. This work is an important initiative to drive meaningful change, not only within sport organizations but within each community and country.
The USA Field Hockey American Development Model (ADM) is built on the foundation of Core Values integral to the growth of the sport. One of the ADM Core Values is Inclusion and Accessibility which is at the forefront with the recent fuel and development of the Black Lives Matter movement, calling upon all of us to eliminate racism and provide equity in sport and society. As a core value, USA Field Hockey believes that field hockey, along with all sports across the United States, must be inclusive, accessible, affordable and welcoming to all regardless of race, gender, economic status, sexual orientation and physical ability. USA Field Hockey and the DE&I Committee recognizes the current underrepresentation of diversity in the sport and strives toward a future in which field hockey is reflective of the demographics of America.
The DE&I Committee’s goal is to create a physically, mentally and emotionally safe space for all. The Committee will work to achieve this goal through:
- Improved systems, organizational structures, policies practices and attitudes
o Instilled racial and social justice through education and learning - Being inclusive of diverse individuals regardless of race, gender, economic status, sexual orientation and physical ability
There will be working groups within the DE&I Committee that focus on areas and initiatives of education and best practices, inclusion and actionable steps.
USA Field Hockey is committed to seeing all people as equals and treating each other with respect. In its early stages/immediate future, the DE&I Committee will meet bi-weekly to develop a working plan surrounding the identified goals.