Carlisle United have been awarded Silver status under the EFL Equality Code of Practice, recognising the Club’s ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, both on and off the pitch.
As part of the Equality Code of Practice, Clubs are encouraged to understand their local communities better and focus on addressing areas of under‑representation that are most relevant to their area.
Teresa Mulholland, EDI Lead for the Club and Community Sports Trust, said: "We are immensely proud to have achieved the Silver Award in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. This marks an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone connected to our Club and Community Sports Trust.
"This recognition reflects the collective effort of our players, staff, volunteers, supporters and community partners, who continue to champion equality and challenge discrimination in all its forms. Achieving Silver status acknowledges the progress we have made in embedding inclusive practices across our operations, from governance and recruitment to matchday experiences and community engagement.
"I am immensely proud of the EDI volunteers whose dedication each and every match day is greatly appreciated. As always, we will continue our EDI journey and keep listening, learning and improving, ensuring that inclusion is not just a principle, but a lived experience for all. We remain committed to building on this achievement as we continue our journey towards gold standard in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, both on and off the pitch."
EFL Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, David McArdle, said: “The EFL has a proud and diverse fan base, and it is important that our Clubs reflect the communities they represent, both on and off the pitch.
“The Equality Code of Practice is about helping Clubs make meaningful, long‑term progress on equality, diversity and inclusion. It provides a clear framework while allowing each Club to focus on the needs of their own communities. Each Club’s result is a reflection of the commitment, hard work and impact they deliver every season and they should be proud of the progress they have made.”
First introduced in 2012, the Equality Code of Practice became a multi‑level accreditation scheme in the 2022/23 season and is now mandatory for all EFL Clubs. The framework helps Clubs track their progress and continue improving year on year, with assessments taking place every other season and a dedicated development year in between.
