Football Victoria (FV) is proud to have joined key players in community sport in a unique collaboration to tackle the issue of racism in Victorian sport collectively.
In a historic moment for Victorian sport, Chief Executive Officers and representatives of CMSport, Vicsport, VicHealth, and seven State Sporting Associations/Organisations last week signed a pledge at Parliament House, where they committed to working together ‘to strengthen community sport as a more inclusive, culturally safe and respectful environment for all Victorians’.
The first-of-its-kind collaboration brings together AFL Victoria, Basketball Victoria, Cricket Victoria, Football Victoria, Netball Victoria, NRL Victoria and Tennis Victoria, who have committed to being leaders of change in their respective sports.
The group has acknowledged that while significant improvements have been made over the past decade, racism and discrimination still occurs in community sport – and there is power in uniting to combat this issue.
The pledge stated,
“As community leaders, we recognise that we have a responsibility to promote diversity and build social cohesion. Sport can be a major player in tackling racism.
We want to lead the change. By signing this pledge, we commit to challenging racist and discriminatory behaviour and attitudes in our sports.”
A workshop was held following the pledge signing event to explore in depth research and co-design an action strategy moving forward, which will centre the experiences of community members who have been impacted by racist and discriminatory incidences in community sport.
FV CEO, Chris Pehlivanis, is proud to join a united group committed to tackling racism head on.
"There is no place for racism in society, let alone sport - but we know that it continues to raise its ugly head across all codes.
"By working together, we have a united voice and can build real momentum to stamp it out of sport."
Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO of CMY, said:
“We're proud to be working with the sector to proactively tackle the issue of racism head on and create more inclusive, culturally safe environments for young people and their families to participate in community sport.”
Lisa Hasker OAM, CEO of Vicsport, the peak body for sport and active recreation in the state, said:
“There is no place for racism in sport. Vicsport is proud to work with CMSport and Victorian State Sporting Associations/Organisations, along with VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria, to ensure sport is welcoming and culturally safe.”