WBLL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION POLICY

Lacrosse is a game for all.  The WBLL fosters a diverse, inclusive, and equitable place for lacrosse where all participants are respected, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability.   

The WBLL respects and values diverse life experiences and heritages.  We take every action in policy and practice to ensure that players, volunteers, families, and officials may participate in the game of lacrosse free of harassment, including abuse, threat, and intimidation.

The WBLL defines harassing conduct as any unwelcome conduct, verbal or physical, based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability. Harassment includes unreasonable interference with a participant’s engagement with the game of lacrosse, and actions or statements that create a hostile or abusive environment. The WBLL’s harassment policy applies equally to players, volunteers, officials, and spectators at events in which WBLL member teams participate.

The WBLL will take swift and appropriate corrective or disciplinary action to address incidents of harassment which are prohibited by our policy regardless of whether the harassment violates federal or state law. The WBLL strives to eliminate harassing conduct at the earliest possible stage before such behavior becomes severe, pervasive, or systemic. 

Participants who believe that they have been subjected to, or have witnessed, harassing conduct should report the matter promptly to the member club’s President or the President of the WBLL.  Where appropriate, the WBLL will provide interim relief to participants who are victims of alleged harassing conduct to ensure that further misconduct does not occur. We prohibit retaliation against any member for making a good-faith report of harassing conduct, for cooperating with or participating in any investigation of alleged harassing conduct, or otherwise engaging in protected activity. All information provided to the WBLL and Club Presidents officials shall be maintained on a confidential basis to the greatest extent possible.

Let us all work to maintain a respectful environment free from harassing conduct as we carry out our mission to improve the enjoyment of, and access to, the game of lacrosse.