Sport stars unite to stamp racism out of sport

The Australian Human Rights Commission's 'Racism. It Stops With Me campaign' and the 'Play by the Rules' program have partnered to produce a powerful new TV Community Service Announcement (CSA) for sporting organisations to play at their events and to promote on their websites and through their social media forums.

Explaining the initiative, Commission President Gillian Triggs stated "the TV CSA - and several radio CSAs -will be broadcast nationally until the start of August and will also be available on the Australian Human Rights Commission and Play by the Rules YouTube channels and websites."

The TV CSA features an all-star cast of Australia's best known sporting heroes including: Sally Pearson (athletics), Adam Goodes (AFL), Liz Cambage (basketball), Greg Inglis (rugby league and NRL Indigenous All-stars), Peter Siddle (cricket), Mo'onia Gerrard (netball), AFL Indigenous All-stars, Archie Thompson (football), Cameron Smith (rugby league), Drew Mitchell (rugby union), Timana Tahu (rugby league), Nick Maxwell (AFL) and some grassroots athletes of different ages and backgrounds. They reinforce the simple message Racism. It Stops With Me.

Despite a range of programs and policies, incidents of racism and discrimination still occur on a regular basis from the elite to grassroots level across a range of sports every season.

Federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Play by the Rules Co-Chair Graeme Innes explained "sport is all about having fun, competing safely and getting a fair go, regardless of your skin colour, background or culture. Whether you're a player, spectator, coach or official, there's simply no place for racism or discrimination in sport.

"The alleged racist incident at the Swans vs Collingwood game last night should not overshadow the magnificent performance by Adam Goodes nor the wonderful activities this week to celebrate the contribution of Indigenous players to the AFL, but it reinforces the need for ongoing education and the importance of calling racism out when it is witnessed."

Sport and Recreation Tasmania Executive Director Craig Martin, who also co-Chairs Play by the Rules added "with the AFL, Rugby League, Netball and Rugby Union seasons all now in progress, the football season just finished and the Cricket Tests about to commence in the UK, this is a timely opportunity to remind everyone in sport that racism is not acceptable and will not be tolerated."

Racism. It Stops With Me is an initiative of the National Anti-Racism Strategy which invites all Australians to reflect on what they can do to counter racism wherever it happens. Sporting organisations can take a strong stand against racism by committing to the Racism. It Stops with Me campaign.

Play by the Rules is a unique collaboration between the Australian Sports Commission, Australian Human Rights Commission, all state and territory departments of sport and recreation, all state and territory anti-discrimination and human rights agencies, the NSW Commission for Children and Young People and the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA).

For more information contact http://www.playbytherules.net.au

26th March 2013 - SPORTS WITHOUT BORDERS CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS INNOVATION IN COMMUNITY SPORT