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1 City of Everett Community Athletics Programs Non-Discrimination I 2020 Annual Report ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Table of Contents I. Executive Summary 3 II. III. Background Purpose 3 4 IV. Data Gathering 4 V. Status, Findings and Conclusions 8 VI. Goals, Objectives and Tactics Matrix 9 VII. Grievances 14 VIII. Summary 14 ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 I. Executive Summary The 2020 report shows varying participation and opportunity ratios than reported the last four years. As stated in prior reports, male dominated sports such as adult softball and basketball create the most demand and provide the largest numbers of participants. In 2020 men’s softball accounted for more than two thirds of all participation and opportunity slots in department sponsored programs. 2020 saw large growth in a girls fast pitch league run by USA softball. Covid greatly restricted the amount of offerings for participation as there was only a handful of months out of the year where games were allowed to be played. Budget cuts also resulted in the closure of the Swim Center cancelling the swim team program. Community third party organizations continue to offer equal opportunities consistent with the Community Athletics Programs Non-Discrimination Policy. No grievances were filed by the community in 2020. II. Background The Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5967 during the 2009 legislative session and Governor Gregoire signed it into law on May 12, 2009. The bill represents the State’s policy interest in promoting gender equity related to community athletics programs. The bill requires that cities which provide community athletics programs on city owned facilities, such as Everett, adopt a non-discrimination policy prohibiting discrimination against persons on the basis of gender with respect to such community athletics programs. To fulfill the requirements of ESSB 5967 and support the City of Everett Parks and Recreation Department’s Vision Statement, which commits the Department to: 1) help meet community values; and 2) support the need and desire for accessible parks, facilities, and programs for people of all ages, the Everett City Council adopted the City of Everett Parks and Recreation Community Athletics Programs Non-Discrimination Policy (the “Policy”) on November 18, 2009. The purpose of the Policy is to help ensure that with regard to gender, the City of Everett Parks and Recreation Department (the “Department”) and third parties providing community athletics/sports programs at Department facilities expand and support equal participation in community athletics programs and provide equal access to Department facilities that support such programs. Principles, goals, strategies, policy distribution, and policy administration are contained within the Policy. A full copy of the Policy is provided as Attachment A. Section 6.5 of the Policy specifically states “The Department will prepare and make available to the public an annual report regarding outcomes of its Policy administration.” ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 III. Purpose The purpose of this report is to summarize and evaluate data collected for Parks sponsored and Third Party organization’s athletic programs. The data represents male and female athletic program participation and offerings conducted in City of Everett facilities in 2020. The data will assist the Department in determining policy compliance, identifying opportunities for improvement and formalizing an action plan. IV. Data Gathering The data in Table 1 on page 5 identifies the number of participants and opportunity slots available to the community in 2020 for programs offered by the Parks and Facilities Department or partnerships with organizations that offer programs in which there is an agreement. Parks and Facilities programs are defined as those programs administered directly by the Department. They are typically programs advertised on the Parks website, where registrations are processed through the City of Everett and/or where the City has a written professional service agreement with an organization to provide the program. Table 2 on page 6 provides an annual summary of Parks sponsored programs offered since 2011. Table 3 on page 7 lists the number of participants in programs offered by third party providers who utilize Department facilities. Third party providers are defined as any organization, club or group whose program or use is not operated and conducted by the City of Everett. Third party providers use Parks and Facilities Department facilities for their own programming needs as facilities are made available by the City. The annual totals of third party organizations (not included in an annual summary table) during the past years remained consistent with the gender make-up of the city of Everett. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 1 Park program gender equity data is heavily influenced by the large softball program offered by the Department. The high numbers of male softball players is attributed to a high demand for this program. Female and mixed team opportunities are offered however at the time of this evaluation the highest and greatest demand occurs by males. 2 Opportunity slots (split equally between males and females) are combined to calculate the total registration slots available per roster. The following criteria were used to determine opportunity slots for men’s, women’s and mixed leagues: Men’s and women’s leagues were based on 12 players per team. Coed teams were based on 16 players divided equally (8 male players and 8 female players). All softball teams must have a minimum of 10 players to play. Coed teams must have a minimum of 5 female players to play. The slots listed are typical of a normal year when play was not shut down due to Covid. 2020 PARKS SPONSORED PROGRAMS1 City of Everett Actual Participants % of male to female Opportunity Slot2 % of male to female Type of League Offered Sport Male Female Male Female Coed Female Male Youth Team Tennis 0 0 0/0 35 35 50/50 X Youth Swim League 0 0 0/0 30 30 50/50 X Adult Softball1 392 104 79/21 2680 736 78/22 X X X Kickball 0 0 0/0 180 180 50/50 X Adult Basketball 60 0 100/0 640 640 50/50 x Adult Volleyball 32 32 50/50 72 72 50/50 X Joe Richer Golf 0 0 0/0 90 90 50/50 X X Total 484 136 78/22 4027 2083 66/34 Table 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 PARKS SPONSORED PROGRAMS 2011-2020 City of Everett Actual Participants % of male to female Opportunity Slot % of male to female Year Male Female Male Female 2011 3093 703 81/19 4134 1682 76/24 2012 4221 892 83/17 4324 2980 59/41 2013 2594 664 80/20 4517 2405 65/35 2014 2079 588 78/22 2672 1388 66/34 2015 3018 879 77/23 4006 2062 66/34 2016 3028 915 77/23 4027 2083 66/34 2017 3135 1231 72/28 3729 2352 61/39 2018 3060 1008 75/25 3920 2165 64/36 2019 3074 1051 74/26 3892 2200 64/36 2020 484 136 78/22 4027 2083 66/34 Table 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 2020 THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATION Third Party Actual Participants % of male to female Opportunity Slot (Pre-Covid) % of male to female Type of League Offered Sport Male Female Male Female Coed Female Male Adult Soccer 1000 434 70/30 2148 2148 50/50 X X X Youth Soccer 913 814 53/47 3766 3766 50/50 X X Everett Rowing Program - Adults 31 55 36/64 160 160 50/50 X X Everett Rowing Program – Youth 35 47 43/57 220 220 50/50 X X Everett Lacrosse Youth 177 59 75/25 120 120 50/50 x x Youth Sports Camps 40 9 81/19 160 160 50/50 x Youth Baseball 0 0 100/0 735 0 100/0 X Youth Fastpitch 0 720 0/100 0 735 0/100 X TOTAL THIRD PARTY- ORGANIZATIONS 2196 2138 50/50 7149 7149 50/50 PARKS AND THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATION COMBINED TOTALS 2680 2274 54/46 11176 9232 55/45 Table 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- 8 V. Status and conclusion to date 2020 data shows reduced participation and opportunities that were identified in the 2019 report. This is due in large part because of the Governor’s restriction on sports activities due to the Covid pandemic. Once fields are opened back up for play we expect the numbers to return to those of previous years. Through additional promotion and marketing, the department will continue to be strategic in its efforts to increase participation to females. Efforts for 2021 will include expansion of existing programs such as such as girl’s fast pitch. The focus will continue to be expanding and maintaining existing program levels. Renovations were made at our Kasch Park facility to allow for youth baseball and fast pitch to be played. This has already resulted in an increase in tournament requests for both boys and girls. In a recent article entitled “Report finds strides made in women’s sports in past few years, but inequality remains” (ESPN.com Jan 15, 2020), Charlotte Gibson states that there is “improved access to sports opportunities for girls and women.” She goes on to report that in 2017-18 girls high school participation reached an all time high for the 29th year in a row at 3,415,306 female athletes. This took a slight dip the following year at 3,402,733 female athletes. The 2016 Olympics also had a “historical and unprecedented number with 292 women in participation.” While there have been more females participating in sports there are also less opportunities for them. This article states that in 2017-18 there were 62,236 fewer participation opportunities in NCAA sports for women than men. We understand that the work done by Everett Parks and Facilities is critical in the development of young girls to succeed in sports and life. Our Department must continue to encourage young women to participate while doing our best to be as fair and equitable with both programs and facilities made available to female athletes. ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 VI. Goals, Objectives and Tactics Matrix Policy goals, objectives and tactics previously utilized or currently planned are represented in Table 4 below. Table 4 Goal Goal Description Obj. Number Objective Description Status Describe previous tactics/actions/status completed to date to meet goal Describe 2021 implementable tactics/actions 4.1 Operate and conduct community athletics/sports programs to expand and support gender equity participation 4.1.a Offer ratio of community athletics/sports programs participation opportunities (e.g. registration slots in the aggregate) proportional to the gender makeup of the City Effort continues A recent girls fast pitch league was offered at our newly renovated Phil Johnson Ball Fields through USA Softball that drew in over 700 participants. Continue efforts to expand existing girls programs such as girls fast pitch which have shown growth by adding an additional season. 4.1.b On an annual basis, discuss with third parties providing community athletics/sports programs at department facilities status of their athletics/sports programs related to administration of this policy Effort continues Third party providers are consulted annually. The policy is reviewed and emphasized with the community whenever possible. Tracked and logged dialogue with third party organizations. Staff have been working with both girls lacrosse and women’s football to offer facility use. Discussions with third party providers will continue a minimum of once each calendar year. All participating third party providers will receive access to the annual report for review. 4.2 Schedule community athletics/sports programs that provide equal access to facilities 4.2.a Keep track of general participation levels of males and females by sport, sport season and facility Effort continues Information tracked and documented for 2020. Ongoing effort will continue and be included in subsequent annual reports. ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 Goal Goal Description Obj. Number Objective Description Status Describe previous tactics/actions/status completed to date to meet goal Describe 2021 implementable tactics/actions 4.2.b As appropriate, develop additional facility capacity (e.g. scheduling, turf surface, and/or surface square footage) to ensure that equal access opportunities exist for community athletics/sports programs. Effort continues Will continue to assess all facilities available to the department including Everett School District facilities made available through the inter local agreement. Non-peak days at Cascade H.S. gymnasium and Evergreen M.S. gymnasium have been determined to be available on Sunday and other non- peak days and times. Ongoing effort will continue and be included in subsequent annual reports. In 2020 the baseball fields at Phil Johnson were renovated and soccer fields were added to the outfield for overflow practices and games. 4.3 Undertake measures to encourage females to participate in community athletics/sports programs by providing additional opportunities for participation 4.3.a Proactively seek to increase the number of female participants, coaches, referees and instructors in community athletics/sports programs. Effort continues Will continue to meet with community groups annually to encourage and support female participation whenever possible. USA Softball has a large participation rate and continues to want to maximize their use at Phil Johnson. Continue dialogue with organization to identify areas of growth. 4.3.b Athletics' core business plan marketing section will specifically include advocacy and promotion strategies to be employed to increase opportunities for female participation. Fully compliant The use of social media to promote different programs of the City will also be used to attract female participants to the many athletics offerings. The Department will continue to find new ways to include advocacy and promotion strategies to be employed to increase opportunities for female participation as listed in the Athletics’ core business plan. ---PAGE BREAK--- 11 Goal Goal Description Obj. Number Objective Description Status Describe previous tactics/actions/status completed to date to meet goal Describe 2021 implementable tactics/actions 5.0 Variety of media will be used to publish and disseminate this policy. In some media, policy will be referenced with respect to its applicability and availability; in other media, the policy will be included in community athletics/sports programs information "packets." 5.1 Publications related to the departments and third party provided community athletics/sports programs will reference the policy. Fully compliant The Policy has been posted on the city of Everett Parks and Facilities website. The Department will take advantage of additional opportunities, as appropriate. 5.2 Applications for scheduled facility use will include the policy. Fully Compliant No tactics/actions necessary No tactics/actions necessary 5.3 Web site will include the policy. Fully Compliant No tactics/actions necessary No tactics/actions necessary ---PAGE BREAK--- 12 Goal Goal Description Obj. Number Objective Description Status Describe previous tactics/actions/status completed to date to meet goal Describe 2021 implementable tactics/actions 6.0 Department's athletics staff will administer this policy. Policy administration will generally include several activities necessary to evaluate the policy's effectiveness and/or future potential policy revisions. 6.1 Implementation of this policy applies to the department as well as third parties providing community athletics/sports programs at department facilities. Fully Compliant Fully Compliant Fully Compliant 6.2 6.2 Monitor community athletics/sports programs and facility accessibility and use for policy compliance. Will use a combination of quantitative and qualitative data (such as program opportunity slots and customer feedback) to help support its monitoring efforts. Effort continues Information was gathered and documented for the 2020 annual report. Information will be gathered for the 2021 annual report. ---PAGE BREAK--- 13 Goal Goal Description Obj. Number Objective Description Status Describe previous tactics/actions/status completed to date to meet goal Describe 2021 implementable tactics/actions 6.3 6.3 Prepare a baseline evaluation of community athletics/sports programs within twelve months of policy adoption. Subsequent to the baseline evaluation the department will prepare an annual evaluation. Effort continues Will continue to compare previous year’s annual reports. Annual report will be completed using 2020 data. 6.4 6.4 Based on annual evaluation, the revisions may be recommended to help achieve the desired outcomes of this policy. Fully compliant Language was added into the Athletics Business Plan and a copy of the policy has been included as an attachment. Revisions will be considered as necessary. 6.5 6.5 Prepare and make available to the public an annual report regarding outcomes of its policy administration. Fully compliant The report will be made available upon request. Continue to monitor and ensure that the annual report will be available to the public and publicized on the City website and in all quarterly guides. ---PAGE BREAK--- 14 II. Grievances No grievances have been filed at the time of the release of this report. VIII. Summary The City of Everett Parks and Facilities Department is committed to the principles, goals and strategies of the Policy and the actions indicated within this report. The annual report will be made available to the public for review to ensure good faith efforts continue to expand and support equal participation in community athletic programs and provide equal access to Department facilities that support such programs.