Netball Australia commits to tackling online abuse

Following a landmark meeting with the Australia’s eSafety Commissioner by the nation’s major sporting codes, Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) have committed to help reduce targeted online abuse of athletes.

Part of a roundtable meeting with 20 sporting codes on Wednesday involving eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to discuss online abuse in sport, Netball Australia and the ANPA joined with the other bodies to officially sign the Online Safety Statement of Commitment in response to athletes, officials and staff across sporting codes being increasingly subjected to online abuse.

Julie Inman Grant said although sport in Australia is usually a powerful community builder, online interactions with athletes are not always positive, advising “serious and harmful online abuse compounds the daily racism, misogyny and homophobia many athletes already face and can have devastating impacts on their wellbeing.

“I commend Netball Australia in coming together to work with eSafety to manage and minimise the risk of online abuse in sport.

“We all need to work together, in athletic pursuits and online, to tackle these issues.” 

Earlier this year, Netball Australia and ANPA approached eSafety to assist in this space, as the frequency of online abuse continues to increase - both in society and in sport.

Netball Australia Chief Executive, Kelly Ryan said work across this area will continue into 2022 to provide athletes, umpires, and staff with the tools to support their online safety.

Ryan explained “online abuse of athletes, umpires and staff has no place in our game and we are committed to working with eSafety to address this important issue.

“We will work with the ANPA, Suncorp Super Netball Clubs and Member Organisations to support the work of eSafety, further driving positive changes for all online.”