World Flying Disc Federation Signs IWG Declaration

World Flying Disc Federation Signs Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, Reinforcing Commitment to Gender Equality in Sport

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) today announced its official signing of the Brighton Declaration, a landmark international treaty dedicated to advancing gender equality in sport. By endorsing this crucial declaration, WFDF reaffirms its deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all individuals involved in Flying Disc sports worldwide.

The Brighton Declaration, established by the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) in 1994 and updated as the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration in 2014, provides a global roadmap for promoting the full involvement of women and girls in every aspect of sport and physical activity. Its principles align directly with WFDF’s core values and strategic objectives, including those outlined in the WFDF Strategic Plan 2023-2028 and its existing Non-Discrimination Policy.

“Signing the Brighton Declaration is a significant milestone for WFDF,” said Robert “Nob” Rauch, WFDF President.

“This commitment formalizes our ongoing efforts to ensure that Flying Disc sports are accessible, safe, and empowering for women and girls at all levels – from grassroots participation to elite competition, and in leadership and administrative roles. We believe in the power of sport to drive positive social change, and gender equality is fundamental to that vision.”

WFDF recognizes the importance of the Brighton Declaration’s ten key principles, which advocate for:

Equity and Equality in Society and Sport: Ensuring equal opportunities and fair allocation of resources without discrimination.

Facilities: Planning and managing facilities to meet the specific needs of women, including childcare and safety.

School and Youth Sport: Providing equitable opportunities and learning experiences that accommodate the values and aspirations of girls.

Developing Participation: Promoting activities that meet women’s needs and aspirations across their lifespan.

High Performance Sport: Ensuring equal opportunities for women to reach their performance potential, with fair support and recognition.

Leadership in Sport: Increasing the involvement of women in leadership, management, coaching, and officiating roles.

Education, Training and Development: Addressing gender equity in the education and training of all sports personnel.

Sport Information and Research: Promoting gender-disaggregated data collection and research to inform policies.

Resources: Fair and equitable allocation of financial and non-financial resources.

Domestic and International Cooperation: Incorporating gender equity promotion in partnerships and sharing best practices.

Lisa O’Keefe MBE, Secretary General of IWG said:

“I really enjoyed meeting with Robert and his colleagues from WFDF and hearing firsthand the commitment the organization is showing to improving gender equality in their sport. WFDF has imbedded gender equality throughout strategy, and are taking real steps to ensure the objectives are met throughout the sport by encouraging their National Federations to prioritize gender equality initiatives within their own strategies. I’m delighted we have welcomed WFDF as our latest Declaration signatory and we look forward to working with them to share their actions and progress as we build up to the IWG Global Summit in July next year.”

“As a global federation with 118 member national federations, we have a responsibility to lead by example,” Rauch added. “This declaration will further guide our work in supporting our members to develop and implement policies and programs that champion gender equity in Ultimate, Disc Golf, Freestyle, Overall, and Guts. We invite our entire Flying Disc community to join us in this vital endeavor.”

WFDF is dedicated to taking concrete steps to uphold the Brighton Declaration’s principles, including:

Promoting inclusive communications and marketing.

Developing resources and programs that support female athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators.

Encouraging national federations to prioritize gender equality initiatives.

Collaborating with partners to identify and address barriers to women’s participation and leadership.

By officially signing the Brighton Declaration, WFDF reinforces its unwavering dedication to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable future for Flying Disc sports around the world.