Help me in my discrimination case against Blackheath Wanderers Sports
Help me in my discrimination case against Blackheath Wanderers Sports
My name is Lucy Dang and I am 30 years old. I am still recovering from Long Covid, having first contracted Covid in April 2022. I have taken courses of antibiotics and steroids, I have had x-rays on my lungs and I am currently having to use an inhaler twice a day. I am currently under the medical supervision of a respiratory consultant.
I am currently working as a Projects Co-ordinator, employed by the University of Greenwich. I live and work in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, having recently moved to Blackheath in May 2022. I want to make it clear that this case is a personal one, and has nothing to do with my employment.
My case vs Blackheath Wanderers Sports Club
Very recently I moved to Blackheath in South East London. I've played netball for years and it's a great way to make new friends and to get to know a new area.
So I enquired about joining Blackheath Wanderers Sports Club to play netball. I explained my level of play and experience. I have been playing for 15 years and have played in 6 leagues since 2014. I have been captain of my work netball team.
I explained to them that I am still recovering from Long Covid, and that I may be slow during the taster training session. I also explained that I could be rusty because Covid meant that there were many match cancellations.
I attended the free taster session on Tuesday 14th June. I really enjoyed myself and pushed myself during the drills. I believe I was somewhat faster than some of the other women for various reasons, likely because of my experience. I emailed on Wednesday morning, thanking the coach, and asked how I could sign up.
I received a response from the captain/head of the netball team 6 days later on Monday 20th June at 23:05. I had already gone to sleep, so I didn't receive this email until the morning. She told me she was sympathetic towards my Long Covid but told me to train elsewhere and 'refresh my ball skills'. I was of course disappointed, and I had kept the Tuesday evening free to train with them. The summer league is already underway, and I wasn't asking to join the league. Just the training. I am still baffled as to why I was not allowed to train with them. I wrote a negative Google review (which can be found by googling Blackheath Wanderers Sports Club).
I have since lodged a complaint against the club. I asked them to provide their Diversity and Inclusion policy, which they did. I would be curious as to how many disabled players there are at this club, and whether they are truly inclusive. The make up of the girls at the netball training session were all white - except for 1 black girl who was mixed raced.
I believe netball as a sport is institutionally racist and it needs to be spoken about. I am sure I am not the only one who has experienced this kind of behaviour within this sport.
I believe that I have been treated less favourably to my detriment because of either Long Covid or because of my race by Blackheath Wanderers Sports Club.
Long Covid can be a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Associations are not allowed to discriminate against members or potential members, much like employers cannot.
I am trying to raise £1,000 so that I can instruct expert discrimination lawyers to take on my case and write a Letter Before Claim to Blackheath Wanderers Sports Club, which is the first step in legal proceedings.
I believe that we should live in a world that is free from all discrimination, no matter who it is against and no matter who it is from. I believe that I have suffered discrimination against me because I wasn't 'fit enough' and/or didn't 'look the part'.
I know that we are going through a cost of living crisis and there is a war ongoing in Ukraine, so only please help me if you really can afford it. I really do appreciate all the help that you can give, no matter how small. If you can't donate, sharing this page will be greatly appreciated.
I will keep you updated with my case as we go along.
Get updates about this case
Subscribe to receive email updates from the case owner on the latest news about the case.
Be a promoter
Your share on Facebook could raise £26 for the case
I'll share on FacebookNo updates yet
Get updates about this case
Subscribe to receive email updates from the case owner on the latest news about the case.
Recent contributions