Balrothery Tennis Club (BTC) endorses the principle of sports equality and will strive to ensure that everyone who wishes to be involved in our sport & club, whether as members, their guests, public users, volunteers or coaches.

To this end, our constitution states that ‘membership is open to anyone who wishes to join and play tennis’.  Adherence to our code of conduct is a requirement of access to the courts, and it expects that a player can ‘never discriminate on the grounds of a person’s gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or religion.  

In upholding this principle, we are guided by the Irish Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027, and the equivalent declaration from the Government of Northern Ireland:

“Sport must be welcoming and inclusive, offering appropriate opportunities for participation and improvement to all. We will promote inclusion to deliver our desired outcomes with a focus on addressing social, disability, gender, ethnic and other gradients. Irish society is increasingly multi-cultural. Sport can make an important contribution to economic and social cohesion and a more integrated society by using the potential of sport for social inclusion, integration and equal opportunities, whilst emphasizing the total unacceptability of racism and xenophobia”. 

Sports equality is more than adhering to legislation, it requires taking positive steps to counteract the effects of physical or cultural barriers that restrict the opportunity for all sections of the community to participate equally and fully.  

To this end, we have strong club polices to ensure people can play sport and participate in our club without discrimination, harassment or bullying.  Our committee continually reviews and acts on compliance, complaints and any access limitations we are made aware of, to ensure tennis inclusion where possible for all.