Touching the intangible? An analysis of The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport

Purpose The purpose of this research is to investigate equality policy development through an examination of The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport and consider implications for practitioners and research‐based alternatives. Design/methodology/approach A textual analysis of The Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport. Findings The Equality Standard represents a shift from historic “one suit fits all” versions of equality policy creation in sports organisations. It is limited, however, by a reliance on formalised audit measures, limited encouragement of organisational involvement in creating equality policies, a reluctance to acknowledge powerful, taken‐for‐granted assumptions about equality, and an inability to encourage organisations to reflect on their history and culture. Research limitations/implications Calls for future research into the further critique of audit‐based approaches to equality implementation and stronger links between academic research and practitioner experience. Practical implications To encourage individuals to critically examine equality within sports organisations with a view to adopting a more reflective framework of equality in which to address organisational processes. Originality/value This research contributes an analysis of recent equality policy development in UK sport. It uses textual analysis to examine policy in order to offer alternative avenues for policy development.