Juniors
How to get young people from multicultural backgrounds involved in sport
All young people should have equal opportunity to participate in sport. Increasing access to sport increases the number of people who:
- benefit (physically, socially and personally) from their participation
- later become volunteers and leaders
- are part of the talent pool for elite sport.
Although sport for all is a major objective for contemporary sports providers, marginalisation still occurs on the basis of ability, body shape, disability, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, geographical location, and socio-economic status.
Concerns with access and equity are magnified when young people belong to more than one of these groups. It is important to recognise these issues in order to meet the challenge of all young people having the fundamental right to be physically active and play sport.
Benefits of sport
Young people from multicultural, migrant and refugee backgrounds participate in sport for the same reasons that other young people do. Sport can provide physical, social, and emotional benefits that help in the growth and development of a young person. Involvement in sport and recreational activity can lead to improved chances for young people and their families to settle successfully in Australia.
What clubs and coaches can do
Young people from some cultural backgrounds (for example Asian and Middle Eastern) generally have low rates of participation in sporting activities.
Sport providers should implement strategies to encourage participation of young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds in a wide variety of sports in order to:
- reduce real or perceived differences in opportunities
- promote cultural diversity in sporting experiences for all young people
- provide access to a wider cross section of the Australian population
- enable young people from all backgrounds to compete at the highest levels.
Communicating with people from multicultural backgrounds
- Remember that communication is more than just verbal, and while young people from culturally diverse backgrounds may not be proficient in English, there are many other ways to communicate a positive experience.
- Familiarise the young people with terms, equipment and rules by demonstrating or by practising before the session.
- Sport terms and jargon that we often use may be unfamiliar to young people who do not have English as their first language. Throughout the session try and keep language as simple as possible and be prepared to explain and clarify words or terms.
Recognise the barriers facing people from culturally diverse backgrounds
Young people today face many challenges and responsibilities.
Issues such as:
- lack of time due to school commitments
- family commitments
- peer pressure
- body image
- financial difficultly.
These barriers can hinder participation in sport for many young people.
Migrant and refugee young people face additional barriers that can make access to sport and recreation even more difficult.
These can include:
- unfamiliarity with the sport structure of clubs and associations
- language barriers
- lack of priority given to sport by parents
- lack of transport
- fear of racism or discrimination
- cost.
Broad strategies
- Work with community leaders and leaders of CLD groups to improve sport opportunities for young people from CLD backgrounds.
- Market junior sport programs specifically to encourage young people from CLD backgrounds to participate in sport.
- Provide support for administrators for CLD groups to integrate their participants into competitions.
- Provide opportunities for CLD parents/carers to be involved in junior sport as coaches, officials and administrators.
- Be flexible (for example, uniform requirements and playing days) to avoid infringing cultural and religious beliefs and practices.
- Provide cross-cultural training for junior sport providers.
