Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

1. Introduction and Purpose

Gowaan Bike Club C.I.C (“Gowaan”) is committed to creating a welcoming, fair and inclusive cycling community in the Scottish Borders and beyond, open to people of all backgrounds, abilities and identities.

This policy sets out Gowaan’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and explains how that commitment is put into practice across our coaching, kids club and sessions, rides, events, volunteering and governance. It should be read alongside Gowaan’s Safeguarding Children Policy, Code of Conduct, and Privacy Policy.

2. Our Commitment

Gowaan believes that cycling should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. We are committed to:

  • Treating everyone fairly, with dignity and respect.

  • Actively removing barriers that prevent people from taking part in Gowaan activities where possible and practicable.

  • Promoting inclusive participation in coaching, volunteering, and leadership roles within Gowaan.

  • Taking firm and proportionate action where discrimination, harassment or victimisation occurs.

  • Keeping this policy under regular review and improving our practice over time.

3. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by, and Gowaan will operate in line with, the following legislation and guidance:

  • Equality Act 2010

  • Public Sector Equality Duty (where applicable to funded activity)

  • UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 (in relation to monitoring data)

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • Gender Recognition Act 2004

  • Relevant guidance from sportscotland, British Cycling/Cycling UK, and other governing or funding bodies

The Equality Act 2010 identifies nine ‘protected characteristics’: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Gowaan’s commitment to inclusion extends beyond these characteristics to other factors that can affect participation, such as income, caring responsibilities, and prior cycling experience or confidence.

4. Scope

This policy applies to all directors, staff, coaches, volunteers, ride leaders, contractors and anyone participating in or representing Gowaan, including at rides, events, training sessions, online spaces (such as social media and group chats), and Gowaan premises.

5. Inclusive Participation

5.1 Participation and Rides

  • Participation in Gowaan rides and events is open to all, subject only to any reasonable safety, age or ability requirements specific to an activity.

  • Gowaan will endeavour to support participation by people with different abilities, confidence levels and time commitments. This may be through offering a range of ride types, paces and distances where practicable. 

  • Where a person’s disability, health condition or other circumstance may affect their participation, Gowaan will discuss reasonable adjustments with them on an individual basis.

5.2 Cost and Access

  • Gowaan will seek to keep barriers to participation, such as cost of membership, equipment or events, as low as practicable, and will consider concessions, loan equipment or bursaries where resources allow.

  • Information about Gowaan and its activities will be made available in plain, accessible language and formats on request.

5.3 Coaching, Volunteering and Leadership

  • Opportunities to volunteer, coach or take on leadership roles within Gowaan will be advertised openly and assessed fairly, based on suitability for the role rather than personal characteristics unrelated to it.

  • Anyone undertaking regulated work with children must in addition comply with Gowaan’s Safeguarding Children Policy, including PVG Scheme requirements.

6. Language, Conduct and Communication

  • Members, volunteers and staff are expected to use respectful and inclusive language in all Gowaan settings, including online.

  • Discriminatory jokes, ‘banter’, or comments based on a protected characteristic or other personal circumstance are not acceptable, even if not intended to cause harm.

  • People should be addressed by their correct name, pronouns and title where known, and Gowaan will correct genuine errors promptly and respectfully when raised.

  • Communications from Gowaan (newsletters, social media, signage) will reflect the diversity of the communities Gowaan serves wherever practicable.

7. Harassment, Discrimination and Bullying

Gowaan will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, victimisation or bullying of any kind, whether based on a protected characteristic or otherwise. This includes conduct by or towards participants, volunteers, staff, coaches or visitors.

  • Direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic.

  • Indirect discrimination: applying a rule or practice that disadvantages people with a particular characteristic, without good justification.

  • Harassment: unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates someone’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment.

  • Victimisation: treating someone unfairly because they have made or supported a complaint about discrimination or harassment.

Concerns involving a child should be raised under Gowaan’s Safeguarding Children Policy. All other concerns relating to this policy should be raised as set out in Section 8 below.

8. Reporting Concerns

  • Concerns about discrimination, harassment, bullying or exclusion should be raised, in the first instance, with a director of Gowaan or another nominated contact.

  • The Gowaan EDI contact point is Chloe Taylor.

  • Concerns will be treated confidentially, on a need-to-know basis, and taken seriously regardless of the seniority or role of the person involved.

  • Where a concern involves a director, it will be referred to an independent person not otherwise involved in the matter, in line with Gowaan’s approach under the Safeguarding Children Policy.

  • No one raising a genuine concern in good faith will suffer any detriment as a result.

  • Where appropriate, Gowaan may seek independent advice from an external EDI or HR specialist before reaching a decision.

9. Responding to Breaches

  • Reports will be looked into promptly and fairly, with input from those involved before any decision is reached.

  • Outcomes may range from informal resolution and a conversation about expected behaviour, through to removal from a role, suspension, or termination of membership in serious or repeated cases.

  • A person affected by a decision under this policy may appeal to an individual who was not involved in the original decision, which may include an external advisor where necessary.

10. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

  • Gowaan will, where practicable and proportionate to its size, seek feedback from members and volunteers about their experience of inclusion within Gowaan, for example through periodic surveys.

  • Any equality monitoring data collected will be anonymised where possible, used only to understand and improve participation, and handled in line with Gowaan’s Privacy Policy and data protection obligations.

11. Related Policies

This policy should be read together with Gowaan’s Safeguarding Children Policy, Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

12. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by Gowaan leadership, or sooner following a relevant incident, change in legislation, or change in Gowaan activities.

EDI policy approved by: Bex Baraona

Date of approval: 27/06/2026

Next review date: 27/06/2027

 

All the info...

How does the program work?

  • Regular coaching: 3–4 weekend sessions per month (missing the first weekend of each month)
  • Session dates and times: Weekend day AM or PM (exact day/time tbc)
  • Location: Sessions will be based in the Tweed Valley, and riders must be able to commit to travelling to and attending these sessions regularly. (expect Glentress, Innerleithen, Cademuir, Yair, Galashiels etc)
  • Monthly schedule: Months with four weekends will have three sessions, while months with five weekends will have four sessions.
  • Price: The cost is £150/monthly with spaces being allocated/renewed on a 6 month basis.

* Please note - once race season begins we understand that some riders will be away on weekends racing - therefore, structure will likely change with sessions being mid-week/ after-school or weekdays through summer holidays etc. All will be planned and discussed as a parent meeting - to make sure we're accommodating for the whole group. Support and coaching will be consistent throughout the year *

Consistency is key! Riders must be able to commit to regular attendance to get the most out of the programme, work their way up through the Gowaan pathway and make use of the opportunities on offer.

Meet your coaches

Bex Baraona

2-time EDR world cup winner & multiple time podium rider & former Yeti & Ibis factory rider, with 10 years racing enduro at the highest level she’s got plenty of expertise and experience to share with the next generation. 

 

 

Chloe Taylor

A foundation built on world cup BMX racing, consistent National Enduro podiums, EDR world cup podium rider, and qualified in Personal Training. Chloe brings a unique skillset to the coaching team, with experience in many cycling disciplines.

 

 

 

 

Joe Varndell & Tom Wilson

Both brought to the Tweed Valley by the BASE College course and fell in love with the riding and racing here, both compete at EDR World Cups and both selected for Team GB Enduro World Champs. Both had have taken their riding to National level podiums. Their knowledge of the trails in the Tweed Valley are second to none, they get every high line or racing line!

 

What's Included :

Riders selected for the Gowaan Youth Development Squad will receive:

  • Access to world-class on & off bike knowledge and MTB coaching.
  • Regular opportunities to develop their skills, confidence and technique.
  • A welcome goodie bag
  • A race jersey
  • Exclusive discounts with Gowaan partners.
  • Coaching sessions with guest pro-racers & legends.
  • Support at multiple races throughout the year.
  • The opportunity to be part of a supportive group of peers with shared goals and ambitions.

Scholarship opportunities will also be available for a select number of riders who meet the qualifying criteria. This is a means-tested scholarship; recipients must show that personal or family resources are insufficient to cover full educational costs. These spaces will be awarded to riders who qualify, helping provide additional opportunities for young talent to develop.

Which squad is for you?

  • 🤟🏼 Gowaan Groms | Ages 9–11

    (Ages may vary by discussion with Gowaan.)

    The Groms squad will be all about having fun, building confidence and developing the foundations of great riding. Through regular sessions, riders will learn new skills, challenge themselves and grow in confidence, all while enjoying time on their bikes.

    Our focus is on creating a fun, supportive environment where young riders can develop naturally, discover their potential and build the foundations for future progression.

  • 🏁 Gowaan Youth | Ages 12–16

    For riders ready to take their riding further, the Youth squad will combine plenty of fun with a greater focus on developing as a racer, with no other than the highest level of mentorship with our world cup racers themselves, go check out the team!

    This squad is all about progression to help riders reach their full potential in racing and riding, with sights set on racing in 2027. Gowaan will be their every step of the way through this platform, providing support from race prep, racing lines, nutrition, training and much more.
APPLY

🎯 Want to be part of the squad?

To make sure we build the right groups and give each rider the best opportunity to develop, we’ll be holding selection try-outs on the 21st and 22nd of November - supported by Giro

Interested riders must complete the application form below to be considered for a try-out.

Key dates:

  • Application deadline - 13th of November: Complete the form below to register your interest.
  • 16th November: Successful applicants will be notified if they have been invited to attend a try-out.
  • 21st–22nd November: Gowaan Youth Development Squad try-outs.

APPLICATION FORM LINK HERE!

We’re looking for riders who are enthusiastic, motivated, keen to learn and ready to commit to their development. You don’t need to have everything figured out yet - we’re excited to find young riders with potential. help them grow and achieve their goals!

🚀 Let's build something special!

At Gowaan, we believe young riders deserve the opportunity, support and encouragement to see just how far they can go.

This is about more than just riding bikes. It’s about building confidence, learning new skills, making friends, challenging yourself and discovering what you’re capable of.

Whether it’s developing the next generation of Groms or helping our Youth riders take their first steps into racing, we can’t wait to get started.

Think you've got what it takes? Apply for a try-out and take the next step in your riding journey with Gowaan!