British Skydiving and NFTO FS 4-way team have now successfully undertaken a mediation process that was preceded by a number of issues raised by both parties in relation to the awarding of sponsorship monies and potential discrimination issues.
The mediation was undertaken at Sport Resolutions in London on 20 September 2019 with the session being facilitated by a barrister whose expertise is in the sports mediation sector. Both parties agreed to cover their own costs.
It was agreed that NFTO can compete in the 2019 FCE in the female category in Arizona, and British Skydiving commits to offering NFTO sponsorship for the 2020 competition year to compete in the female category. The 2020 sponsorship will be determined on a fair and equal basis between open and female categories in FS 4-way, and because of this agreement we can now invite another team to the World Championships competition as the FS 4-way Open team.
As part of this agreement, NFTO have committed to a reduction of their 2020 sponsorship monies awarded to them by British Skydiving, amounting to £6,000 which will be used to develop a programme to encourage greater female participation in the sport. The team have also committed to engage with British Skydiving’s Rise Up Programme with focus on female members and to identify potential future athletes.
British Skydiving will continue to take external independent advice in relation to the female 4-way FS category post 2020 competition year, including consulting National Governing Bodies of other sports; this is in addition to the work already being undertaken by the Development Committee.
NFTO look forward to working with British Skydiving to encourage greater female participation, to represent the UK at international competitions and to continue to inspire women in the sport.