Racism in sport: standing up against discrimination in sport
This episode of Know Your Rights explores how racism shows up during ordinary shopping trips, how it harms people’s wellbeing and access to services, and where to go for help. You’ll hear practical legal advice and stories of community response, as well as simple steps businesses and communities can take to make everyday places safer and more welcoming.
Listen to your racism in sport episode here
Episode overview
Sport should be a place where young people build confidence, connection and pride. But for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes, sport can also be a space where racism is experienced – from the sidelines, on the field, and within sporting systems themselves.
These experiences can affect a young person’s mental health, sense of belonging and willingness to keep playing. Over time, racism in sport can push talented young people away from the very activities that should support their wellbeing and growth.
In this episode of Know Your Rights, you’ll learn how racism shows up in community and school sport, how it impacts Aboriginal athletes and families, and what can be done to create safer, more culturally respectful sporting environments.
This conversation also highlights resilience, strong community leadership and the power of sport as a positive force when it is inclusive and safe.
Guests featured in this episode
Anita North is a proud Gunditjmara and Mutti Mutti woman with Jatawajali and Torres Strait Islander bloodlines. A mother of three and long-time netball player and coach, Anita co-founded the Naarm Angels Netball Club. She shares her experience supporting young Aboriginal athletes, challenging racism in community sport and creating culturally safe spaces for young people.
Professor Barry Judd is a Pitjantjatjara man and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne. Barry brings decades of experience in Indigenous education and research to explain how racism in sport operates at both individual and systemic levels, and why cultural safety and accountability are essential.
Know Your Rights is narrated by journalist Jedda Costa — a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Barapa Barapa woman with many years’ experience covering Indigenous stories.
In this episode you will discover:
- How racism in sport can be overt (racial abuse and slurs) and covert (bias in selection, umpiring and recognition)
- The role of spectators, coaches and sporting officials in either challenging or allowing racism to continue
- How racism in sport can affect mental health, confidence and a young person’s sense of belonging
- Why many Aboriginal families carry a heavy load of responsibilities and may feel reporting racism is too hard
- How intergenerational trauma shapes the way racism is experienced and responded to today
- The importance of culturally safe sporting spaces where Aboriginal identity is recognised and respected
- Why education and anti-racism training for clubs, officials and volunteers is critical
- How sport can also be a powerful space for leadership, pride and positive change
- Where to go for support if you or your child experiences race discrimination or vilification in sport
Song credits:
- Call It Out – David Arden
- Koori Woman – Carole Fraser – Acknowledging the late Aunty Carole Fraser’s track – rest in peace pioneer and trailblazer – titled ‘Koori Woman’. We use this song with permission from family and with respect.
Protected attributes in Victoria under the Equal Opportunity Act (2010)
The following is a full list of protected attributes in Victoria under section 6 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010:
- age
- breastfeeding
- employment activity
- gender identity
- disability
- industrial activity
- lawful sexual activity
- marital status
- parental status or status as a carer
- physical features
- political belief or activity
- pregnancy
- profession, trade or occupation
- race
- religious belief or activity
- sex
- sex characteristics
- sexual orientation
- an expunged homosexual conviction
- a spent conviction
- and personal association (whether as a relative or otherwise) with a person who is identified by reference to any of the above attributes.
Find out how VEOHRC can help
Have you or someone you know experienced race discrimination? Learn how VEOHRC can support you.
- You can get more information from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, make a complaint or report
- If you make a formal complaint we will take it through our conciliation process. Conciliation is an informal flexible approach to finding an outcome to a complaint
- Outcomes can include an agreement to give an apology, to do cultural safety training, change policies and procedures, to keep your job or get it back, and give financial compensation
- If you don’t want to make a formal complaint but want to report race discrimination, you can make an anonymous report to us through our online community reporting tool
- If you think you may have experienced race discrimination you can contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Monday to Friday to speak with an inquiry officer on 1300 292 153
- All our staff are specifically trained to support First Nations people when they are seeking information or making a complaint.
