Victorian sports unite against racism in new campaign

Victorian sports are taking the next big step to stamp out racism, with major players coming together to launch a new, statewide anti-racism campaign backed by the Victorian Government.

The Hon. Ros Spence Minister for Community Sport launched Racism Doesn’t Belong In Our Game at the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation in Footscray today. 

Delivered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) and its CMSport initiative, in partnership with seven major state sporting associations, VACSAL, Vicsport and VicHealth, the campaign is designed to increase Victorians’ awareness of racism in community sport and its impact on First Nations and multicultural communities.

It supports clubs and sporting communities to recognise, call out and actively prevent racism to strengthen social connection and belonging across the state. The campaign centres the lived experiences of players, coaches, club leaders and parents from across the seven partner sports, which shine a light on the deep impacts of racism, in an insightful video series. 

Building on their landmark Anti-Racism Pledge signed in 2025, the campaign deepens the collective commitment of AFL Victoria, Basketball Victoria, Cricket Victoria, Football Victoria, Netball Victoria, NRL Victoria and Tennis Victoria, to address racism head-on and create welcoming, inclusive sporting environments for all Victorians. 

Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO of CMY and CMSport said: “The strength of this campaign lies in the collective commitment of major sporting bodies in Victoria to work together to acknowledge and address racism in community sport.

“Community sport should be a space where everyone feels safe, and has a sense of belonging. But when racism happens in community sport, the impacts are felt long after the game is over.” 

CMY is proud to collaborate with First Nations partner VACSAL to ensure cultural safety and self-determination are at the heart of the campaign. 

Aunty Linda Bamblett, CEO of VACSAL, said on the launch: “Addressing racism is everyone’s responsibility. To bring about significant change and make sports free of racial discrimination it is ALL our moral and ethical obligation to call it out when you witness it.

“It is not enough to be a passive bystander – you need to get involved by making a conscious decision to be a warrior in the fight against racism." 

CMY will lead a social media campaign and statewide roadshow that engages the clubs, players, families and spectators of community sports across metropolitan and regional Victoria. 

The campaign is part of the Victorian Government’s Anti-Racism Strategy and complements the broader Victorian sport sector’s ongoing work to create culturally safe environments. 

The campaign’s video series and other resources are available at Sport and Recreation Victoria’s website: sport.vic.gov.au/anti-racism. 

CMSport is a Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) initiative driving social change through sport. 

Media Enquiries: Hannah Ford, Communications & Marketing Manager, CMY/CMSport 
M| 0429 592 860  E| hford@cmy.net.au