Derby County has achieved Bronze status in the EFL Equality Code of Practice.
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 saw the club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work described as ‘a fantastic example of an exemplary Bronze Code of Practice submission’.
Derby County’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Pearce, said: “We are delighted to achieve Bronze status in the EFL’s Equality Code of Practice.
“We submitted a large amount of evidence that helped to create a clear picture and narrative of our EDI journey.
“The culture of EDI is driven from the top of the organisation, and this runs through the core of the club.
“The EFL have informed us that many of our policies, procedures and practices are going above and beyond what is expected to be awarded the Bronze Code of Practice Standard.”
He added: “I would like to congratulate all our staff, across the club and Community Trust, on this achievement and for their ongoing work.”
EFL Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, David McArdle, said: “Our 72 clubs represent communities of people from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds. The EFL’s Code of Practice is the foundation on which our work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is built, providing clubs with a clear framework and setting out exactly what they need to put in place to ensure the club is reflective of the community at all levels.
“We are really pleased to announce the first set of clubs to receive their awards. 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.”
Initially launched in 2012, the EFL’s Equality Code of Practice was revamped to become a multi-level accreditation scheme at the start of the 2022/23 season, which will see every one of the 72 clubs assessed on their EDI practices by the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.