Argyle achieve Silver in Equality Code of Practice
Argyle have achieved Silver in the EFL’s Equality Code of Practice, becoming one of just nine clubs to achieve the feat.
The club will now work towards achieving the Gold award during the next assessment period in the 2025/26 season - which would put the club among the top-ranked in the EFL.
The EFL's Equality Code of Practice is a mandatory assessment that was updated to become a multi-level accreditation scheme which all 72 EFL clubs are assessed on.
The award criteria looks specifically at Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices aiming to challenge discrimination and behaviour in the stands and on social media, improve the diversity of supporters and ensure the workforce is reflective of the local community.
Every EFL club must achieve Bronze compliance, but Argyle's Silver achievement shows the club's commitment to go above and beyond to ensure that the club is open and accessible to all.
Throughout the assessment period, Argyle have supported campaigns such as Kick it Out, Her Game Too, Unite for Access, Rainbow Laces and Mental Health Awareness, with dedicated match days and awareness training for both staff and supporters.
Argyle have also provided audio descriptive commentary known as Soccer Sight for supporters who are blind or visually impaired and provided free sanitary items and sensory packs to supporters who need them.
Argyle Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Siobhan Robbie-James said: "This achievement is only made possible by the entire workforce of the football club and Argyle Community Trust coming together and believing in our values.
“We went for Silver because we are ambitious and always want to do what is right for our staff and fans, not just what is compliant.
“As a club we want staff, players and partners to feel safe and welcomed as their full selves, and that everyone is given access to the same opportunities."
The EFL’s Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion David McArdle added: “Our 72 clubs represent people from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds and it’s absolutely vital they are representative of those communities, whether that be on the pitch, in the boardroom or in the stands.
“It’s particularly encouraging to see clubs striving for excellence in this area and highlighting what can be achieved. Across the leagues the progress being made is very encouraging and the EFL will continue to support and empower all clubs to make a positive impact on their communities and the wider game.”
Full list of Clubs who achieved an EFL Code of Practice rating in 2023/24 season:
Gold: Watford; Huddersfield Town
Silver: Blackburn Rovers; Stoke City; Salford City; MK Dons; Charlton Athletic; Plymouth Argyle; Preston North End; Lincoln City; Middlesbrough
Bronze: Accrington Stanley; Barnsley; Birmingham City; Blackpool; Bolton Wanderers; Bradford City; Bristol Rovers; Burton Albion; Cambridge United; Cardiff City; Carlisle United; Cheltenham Town; Colchester United; Coventry City; Crewe Alexandra; Derby County; Gillingham, Harrogate Town; Hull City; Ipswich Town; Leyton Orient; Mansfield Town; Northampton Town; Peterborough United; Portsmouth; Queens Park Rangers; Reading; Rotherham United; Sheffield Wednesday; Shrewsbury Town; Stevenage; Stockport County; Sunderland; Swansea City; Wycombe Wanderers.
