Sport brings Victorians together.
It unites communities and should never divide them.
That's why Labor is backing local sporting clubs to keep racism out of community sport.
Minister Spence today launched the Racism Doesn't Belong In Our Game campaign to support young athletes and volunteers.
The campaign is designed to increase awareness of racism in community sport and its impact.
It will also focus on making sure more people know where to report racism.
A key feature of the campaign is seven stories from Victorians involved in community sport.
It includes AFL club president Nabil Yassine, Hume Cricket Club's Avtar Singh and former professional basketballer Sharin Milner, sharing why safety in community sport matters.
The campaign will be delivered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth and CMSport, in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd and leading sporting bodies including:
- AFL Victoria
- Basketball Victoria
- Cricket Victoria
- Football Victoria
- Netball Victoria
- NRL Victoria
- Tennis Victoria.
The campaign will be delivered in Melbourne and regional Victoria with educational and digital tools for sporting clubs.
More information including resources and campaign materials can be found at sport.vic.gov.au/anti-racism
As stated by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
"Whether it happens on the field, on the court, in the stands, in change rooms or online, racism harms individuals, families, clubs and communities.
"Only Labor will back these initiatives and only Labor is taking a stand against racism in sport."
As stated by Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria Ingrid Stitt
"This campaign sends a clear message that racism has no place anywhere in Victoria."
As stated by Sharin Milner former WNBL player
"Community sport has an extraordinary power to bring people together, but that connection can only flourish when everyone feels safe to be fully themselves. I love that this campaign puts human stories at the centre, because stories help us move beyond fear and remind us of our shared humanity."
"Racism is often a felt experience, and it doesn't always show up in ways that are easy to write into a policy or point to in a rulebook. When we listen to lived experiences and see each other as people first, sport becomes one of the most powerful places we have to strengthen connection and community."
As stated by Gülcan Genitsaris, former Melbourne Victory FC (Women) player and Community Engagement Manager - Avondale Football Club
"Sport has the incredible ability to bring people together, create belonging and break down barriers. As a Muslim woman with Turkish heritage who has grown up, played and worked in football, I know how powerful it is when people feel accepted for who they are."
"Everyone deserves to step onto a field, court or into a club environment feeling safe, respected and valued. Racism has no place in sport, and we all have a responsibility to create spaces where the next generation feel they truly belong."
As stated by Centre for Multicultural Youth CEO Carmel Guerra OAM
"Community sport should be a space where everyone feels safe, and a sense of belonging. But when racism happens in community sport, the impacts are felt long after the game is over."
"Backed by evidence and centering lived experience, we're proud to working with our partners to drive social change through sport - with this campaign and beyond, in our ongoing partnership work."
