INTRODUCTION

Squash South Africa is committed to the principle of equity in all its operations. By equity, Squash SA understands that South Africans are not homogenous and have vastly differing experiences of life in South Africa which have a profound effect on their outlook on life. Squash SA recognises these differences, which also have an impact on squash players current and future, and is building into its operation mechanisms to take these differences into account and, where possible, to accommodate these differences so that every potential squash player is given the opportunity to play the game and to excel.

Squash SA, as the national controlling body for the game in South Africa, is also bound by its constitution wherein development of the game along the lines of non-racialism and non-sexism form an integral part. It is against this background that Squash SA is considering adopting an affirmative action policy based on the policy adopted by the National Sports Council at its meeting held in Bloemfontein in July 1997.


POLICY

Our policy is based on the policy adopted by the NSC and adapted for the specific requirements of Squash SA. The policy is also based on the understanding that the particular groups which are not adequately represented in sport are women and girls, people living in rural areas and black people. Disability does not apply in terms of players but could well apply in terms of administrators and technical officials.

1) Office bearers : any committee, whether at a national, provincial, regional or club level should strive to represent the demographics of South Africa. In the short-term the target should be that at least 40% of the relevant committee should be from the affirmative action groups. This target should also apply to the recruitment of people to join a committee. In the long-term the representivity of the committee or staff should reflect the actual demographics of the country.

2) Employees: of the organisation should reflect the short and long-term goals reflected in a) above. In addition, the composition of the selection committee should reflect the sensitivity of Squash SA to achieve representivity.

3) Technical officials: (marker, referee, coach, manager, selector etc) similarly, the short-term and long-term goals reflected under a) above should apply except that the short-term target should be 50%.

4) Players: this process should be complemented by a talent identification programme concentrating on the juniors and making use of the nascent squash academies and the provincial and regional academies of sport. In the short-term, the goal should be 25% in the junior teams increasing to the long-term to representative of the country's demographics. In senior teams, in the short-term, the target should also be 25%. In selecting teams, Squash SA will consider the potential of the young player to contribute to the team for at least three years at a national level. Much of this potential is going to be dependent on the efficiency and efficacy of the provincial, regional and club delivery systems. While the target is 40% for junior teams and 30% for senior teams, we believe that in the short term we will be able to achieve 25%

5) Education and accreditation programmes: in order to complement the programme of talent identification and selecting teams properly representative of South Africa, the education and accreditation of officials (technical and administrative) should aim to correct the imbalances more quickly. Hence the short-term target should be 50% of the affirmative action groups.

In order to be able to monitor progress, the national office is obliged to maintain an up to date database of information to enable the Executive and Council to enhance or correct the process. In addition, the Executive should consider regularly the progress of the organisation in adapting the culture of Squash SA so that this is not interpreted as a means of discouraging change and progress.

CONCLUSION

It is in the best interest of Squash SA that the sport and its adherents be developed. In changing the face of squash, we can all contribute to the expansion of the game and the greater inclusion of those who would like to play the game.