Whether it’s on the field, court, in the stands, change rooms or online, everyone loses when racism happens in community sport.
Every child, player, supporter, volunteer, referee and coach should feel safe to participate in the game they love without fear of discrimination. There is no room for racism in sport.
Recent campaigns from VicHealth, Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Centre for Multicultural Youth are aimed at providing resources to build culturally safer and more welcoming sporting spaces as well as helping to prevent, identify, report and respond to racism.
SET THE STANDARD
Community sport is more than a game. It’s where we form friendships, learn teamwork and shape values. It also helps with physical and mental health throughout our lives.
When racism happens in sport it undermines the health and wellbeing benefits sport brings. The everyday moments matter: what gets laughed off, what gets ignored, and what gets called out.
Racism isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s banter, exclusion, or silence. And when it happens, it pushes people out of sport.
That’s why sporting clubs are powerful places to set a new standard for making people feel welcome and included. Coaches and club leaders have enormous power to change the game, but many aren’t sure where to start.
setthestandard.vic.gov.au
The Set The Standard webpage has resources aimed specifically at club leaders, coaches and supporters, providing simple tools, tips and resources to create more inclusive clubs where everyone can enjoy the physical, social and mental health benefits of sport.
Leadership shows up in the everyday choices that club leaders make in terms of:
- Stepping in when a racism comment is made
- Checking in with a player who is struggling
- Creating inclusive game-day rituals
- Making new players feel welcome
- Ensuring every voice is heard and valued
Set the Standard isn't about perfection, it's about progress. It's weaving inclusion into every plan, conversation and decision - from the sports ground to the club room.
RACISM DOESN'T BELONG IN OUR GAME
Vicsport came together with CEOs of seven state sporting organisations to sign an Anti-Racism Pledge in early 2025, backed by the Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence.
Alongside the Centre for Multicultural Youth, the Pledge group then worked on the 'Racism Doesn't Belong In Our Game' campaign, supported by AFL Victoria, Basketball Victoria, Cricket Victoria, Football Victoria, Netball Victoria, NRL Victoria, Tennis Victoria, VACSAL, VicHealth and Vicsport.
The campaign is designed to increase Victorian's awareness of racism in community sport and its impact on First Nations and multicultural communities. Included in the initiative are seven Victorian community sport members have come forward to share their personal stories on the ways racism has impacted them and the important of cultural safety and accountability.
In addition to those stories, the Racism Doesn't Belong In Our Game webpage features online learning modules, policy templates, reporting tools, research reports and links to similar campaigns including: