Australian Sports Commission launches course to tackle racism in community sport

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has partnered with Reflect Forward to launch a free online course to help community coaches, umpires, participants and volunteers deal with incidents of racism in the moment they occur.

Dealing with racism in the moment, even if it means stopping the game, is the focus of the new course to help community sport be more inclusive.

The course guides participants through scenarios and techniques in how to play the role of a first responder and intervening in the first 60 seconds that an incident occurs.

It also provides tips for clubs about how to create a safe environment for participants and to continue to support victims of racism on an ongoing basis.

ASC Chief Executive Kieren Perkins said the ‘Dealing with the moment: Anti-racism in community sport’ course is a practical way to support grassroots sports to improve.

Perkins noted “Whilst clubs and associations might have policies in place, too often they lack clear practical steps and options to support the victims and appropriately deal with the perpetrators in the seconds and minutes after an incident of racism occurs.

“Sadly, incidents of racism are an all-too-common reality across many sports in Australia. There are junior competitions that have reported dozens of incidents of racism this season alone.

“While we absolutely must stamp out racism and ensure that everyone feels welcome in sport, we also need to support our community clubs to help address these incidents and help create a teachable moment so those involved can be educated and learn from it.”

Matildas forward and Reflect Forward ambassador Kyah Simon says mistakes clubs make when dealing with a racist incident include not supporting the victim enough and making assumptions about how they feel about it and how it should be addressed.

“So many times when it comes to racism, people get awkward about it. It's an awkward conversation. No one likes awkwardness. So, I think it's the best time to do it there and then, and the victim needs to be comfortable with the outcome.

“If an incident occurs during a game, I think it’s having the confidence in yourself and your other teammates that you have the right to intervene and to call it out and to know that it will be dealt with appropriately.”

Reflect Forward founder Jamal Elsheikh said everyone can play a role in dealing with a racist incident in the moment.

Elsheikh added “Whether it’s calling it out, asking for support or just going to the victim and saying, ‘I’m sorry that has happened, that shouldn’t happen’. Any acknowledgement is a good start.

“Part of the problem is that people don’t understand racism and what to do if an incident of racism occurs.

“This course helps clubs and associations to educate themselves on what racism is, the impacts racism can have and steps they can take to support everyone involved in sport.”

The Dealing with the moment: Anti-racism in community sport course is available on the ASC’s Australian Sport Learning Centre.