Learning notes

April 2025 Supreme Court ruling

It’s important to note that this research was conducted in 2024, and the supporting learning notes were completed before the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling which determined the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex.

The five sports councils are jointly consulting with legal experts to clarify whether the Supreme Court ruling affects existing guidance on transgender inclusion in domestic sport. The outcome of this will feed into a timescale for any planned wider review of the guidance that was published in 2021.

Introduction to learning notes

The learning notes are a resource for the sporting sector. They cover the protected characteristics as outlined in the Equality Act (2010)[1], and additional priority groups. These are an update to learning notes created as part of the research conducted in 2020. (add link to footnote 2)

New learning notes added in 2025:

those experiencing mental health issues;
those living in poverty and low income;
Care Experienced;
those living in rural communities; and
facilities

Each learning note outlines key recommendations, analyses of needs, and issues to consider when engaging with equality groups and those underrepresented in sport. These were developed using the most recent research, feedback from those working in the sector, and engagement with organisations that support these groups as part of the Equality and Sport research 2024. There is an additional learning note for inclusive facilities, identified as a common barrier to sport participation across all the characteristics.

The learning notes take an intersectional approach to tackling inequality. Intersectionality describes how race, class, gender and other personal characteristics ‘intersect’ with each other and can compound multiple forms of inequality and disadvantage. This framework emerged from Black feminist activism and research, which highlighted that Black women were commonly disadvantaged by intersecting racism, sexism and socio-economic inequality which means that equality can only be achieved if all are addressed.

The learning notes include a set of overarching intersectionality principles which address common barriers to sports participation across different groups.

The following learning notes are current at time of publication with an understanding that characteristics may be redefined and additional characteristics identified, which will be addressed in future learning notes.