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Racism

Racism, discrimination, and vilification are commonly reported barriers to sport participation for First Nations individuals.

Racism, discrimination, and vilification are commonly reported barriers to sport participation for First Nations individuals. This can impact players, officials, coaches, spectators, and fans. 8, 9, 15, 42, 55, 56

Many First Nations participants may appear to outwardly ‘brush off’ racist comments or experiences, but they contribute to feelings of disrespect, isolation, and exclusion, and are more likely to lead people to drop out or not engage with sport. 9, 15, 43, 56

The issue has increasingly been raised in professional sports over the last 30 years including:

  • Current and former athletes such as Nicky Winmar, Josh Addo-Carr, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Marcia Ella-Duncan, Sharon Finnan-White, and more calling out racism and discrimination. 44, 45
  • Through documentaries like ‘The Australian Dream’ that explored the story of Aboriginal AFL legend Adam Goodes. 46, 47
  • Through formal reports such as the Collingwood ‘Do Better’ and Hawthorne/AFL investigation. 42, 48

However, progress has been slow, and it is also an issue in the broader Australian community and community sport leagues for junior and senior levels. 49, 50, 51, 56

The AFL Players’ Association’s 2024 Insights and Impact Report found that 42% of AFLM, and 23% of AFLW First Nations or multicultural players had experienced racism while playing in their respective competitions. Racism was reported to have occurred most frequently on social media, with 26% of players across the men’s and women’s competition reporting experiencing racism via these platforms. The second most common location was from spectators at games. 14% of AFLW and 32% of AFLM players rated racism as one of the most significant societal issues facing Australian footballers in 2023. 52

Racism. It stops with me.

The Australian Human Rights Commission national ‘Racism. it stops with me, opens in a new tab’ campaign website provides a variety of information and resources to support individuals and organisations to address racism within their sphere of influence. Key areas include responding to racism, be an ally, bystander action, responding to racism, and support services. 53

Many of the ambassadors and participants in campaign videos, opens in a new tab are Australian current and former elite sporting athletes and coaches. This recognises not only the impact of racism on sport, but the role that sport can play in raising the issue in the community and encouraging people to take action. 53

Resources and reading

  • Charlie King reaches out to Himanshu Bhatia over racist comment, opens in a new tab [paywall], Nathaniel Chambers, NT News, (5 July 2023). A trio of Indigenous sporting identities has met with a Darwin umpire who was banned for a racist online comment which ‘damaged the brand’ of the sport.
  • ‘It was a horrible day, looking back’: Nicky Winmar on his 1993 ‘Black and proud’ moment, opens in a new tab, Jonathan Horn, The Guardian, (30 October 2023). In a new book, the Noongar man and AFL great reflects on his childhood, football career and the racist abuse he faced.
  • ‘Culture of silence’: AFL and AFLW players fearful of speaking out on racism, report finds, opens in a new tab, Mike Hytner, The Guardian, (27 June 2023). A new report has revealed many AFL and AFLW players believe a “culture of silence” permeates through the game, leaving them fearful of the potential consequences of speaking out about important issues such as racism. The report found that 77% of AFLW and 40% of AFL Indigenous or multicultural players reported not being satisfied with how a racism incident was handled once reported. The data also showed the constraints and apprehensions players encounter when it comes to expressing their views through the media. Marsh said a whisteblower service would be introduced by the union to enable players to anonymously raise their concerns in a safe way.
  • AFL statement on Hawthorn independent investigation, opens in a new tab, Australian Football League, (30 May 2023). The AFL today announced outcomes in relation to the Independent Panel Investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct at the Hawthorn Football Club. The AFL is only able to impose sanctions for breaches of AFL Rules on persons subject to the AFL Rules and respects the right of the various parties to the Investigation (and those who decided not to participate) to pursue claims in other legal forums. Today’s outcomes do not interfere with those rights. The AFL knows that during the long history of our game there have been instances of racism and that players have been marginalised, hurt or discriminated against because of their race and for that we say sorry. The AFL further commits to devoting significantly increased resources to its continuous improvement model focussed on measures to combat racism and the improvement of cultural safety of First Nations players and their families in the AFL and AFLW. We are wholeheartedly dedicated to meeting our obligations to make the game stronger and safer for all players, and we understand that requires us to continually address our structures and systems, and to this end, the AFL agrees to undertake a series of initiatives listed at the bottom of the statement. Finally, under the agreed terms for the resolution including the agreement of the Panel chairman to the immediate termination of the Independent Investigation, the AFL confirms that the Panel will not issue a report based on the information they have been provided to date.
  • Lifetime bans for vilification at AFL matches, opens in a new tab, Australian Football League, (6 May 2023). The AFL has announced that people found to be responsible of vilification within the sport will receive a lifetime ban from AFL matches. Nine lifetime bans have been issued so far in the 2023 AFL Premiership season with five more currently being investigated. Prior to the start of the 2023 Season, three-year bans were in place for individuals who have been found to be guilty of racist behaviour at AFL matches. The AFL has also implemented a range of initiatives to prevent and manage vilification incidents at the community football level around Australia.
    • A full-time dedicated employee, sitting within the AFL Integrity Unit, will be appointed to investigate racism and vilification cases at the elite and community level of the game.
    • Every community coach renewing their accreditation for the 2023 season must complete an online course which highlights the harm caused by vilification and discrimination. The course is freely available to all football participants, not just coaches, through the AFL's learning platform.
    • From this season, leagues around Australia have access to an AFL-appointed panel of expert conciliators to help manage and resolve incidents of racist and other abuse in the community football sphere. A number of successful conciliations have already been held with agreed outcomes including match suspensions, apologies and directions to complete education courses.
  • Collingwood's apology to Nicky Winmar, 30 years on, welcomed but the fight against racism in football goes on, opens in a new tab, Jarred Cross, National Indigenous Times, (17 April 2023). Collingwood Football Club has apologised for the racist abuse Indigenous champions Nicky Winmar and Gilbert McAdam suffered at their home ground, and for the racist comments of their former club president.
  • Thirty years ago Nicky Winmar took a stand against racism. Young players continue to follow his lead, opens in a new tab, Rachael Knowles, NITV/SBS, (31 March 2023). From Josh Addo-Carr, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Adam Goodes, the impact of Nicky Winmar's powerful stance has rung through the ages and lifted the lid on racial abuse for Indigenous athletes. Hearing it all, Winmar then took a stand - lifting his jersey and pointing at his skin. "I'm black and I'm proud to be black," the Noongar man shouted. It was the moment that changed the game and the league, pushing the racial vilification of Indigenous athletes into the spotlight. In late June 1995, 'Rule 30' was introduced. "No player … shall act towards or speak to any other person in a manner, or engage in any other conduct which threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person … on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin," it said. But, three decades on from Winmar's mighty stand, racism in the sport remains rife. The list of Indigenous players who have experienced racism in the league is long and includes the likes of Lance 'Buddy Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Bradley Hill, Michael Walters, Michael Frederick, Maurice Rioli Jnr, Robbie Young and Marlion Pickett.
  • Collingwood Football Club – Do Better Update, opens in a new tab, Collingwood Football Club, (2 December 2022). Collingwood has today provided an update on its progress regarding the Club’s ongoing work following the Do Better Report
  • Former Netball Australia board member Nareen Young says 'racism in netball at every level', opens in a new tab, ABC, (20 Oct 2022). A former Netball Australia board member says she is happy to detail her experiences of racism in the organisation if NA is truly committed to learning and changing.
  • AFL appoints panel to investigate Hawthorn racism allegations, opens in a new tab, Nico Bucci, The Guardian, (5 October 2022). The AFL has announced a panel to investigate allegations of racism at the Hawthorn football club, but it remains unclear if the First Nations players behind the claims will participate. According to the claims made during an independent investigation commissioned by Hawthorn, players were forced into separating from their partners, and one was told to tell his partner to terminate her pregnancy. The claims were referred to the AFL integrity unit, and the panel was due to report back in December. The AFL said it expected the panel’s report, including its findings and recommendations, would be made public.
  • Almost a third of Indigenous AFL athletes and players of colour experienced racism, survey finds, opens in a new tab, Emma Kemp, The Guardian, (29 September 2022). The AFL Players’ Association’s first Insights and Impact Report also found less than one-fifth of AFL players who have experienced racism in the game felt their matter was sufficiently dealt with and showed “concerning” incidences of vilification from people in the industry. The report, released on Thursday amid the disturbing allegations of the Hawthorn racism review, found that of the 92 players surveyed who identified as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or a person of colour, 29 had experienced racism while listed as an AFL player. Of those, only 17% felt the incidents were dealt with entirely to their satisfaction while 21% felt they were “somewhat or partially” dealt with and 62% felt they were not dealt with at all. The most common incidents of racism were reported to have occurred on social media (26), with spectators at games being the next most prevalent (13), followed by when playing at community level (10), publicly (10) and in the media (4).
  • Hawthorn racism review: Read the document and the seven recommendations made to the club, opens in a new tab[paywall], Herald Sun, (28 September 2022). Hawthorn has been handed seven recommendations from the report into the treatment of its First Nations players. Read the report and the key recommendations made to the club below.
  • Indigenous players allegedly abused at Hawthorn should receive compensation and public apology, review recommends, opens in a new tab, Caitlin Cassidy, The Guardian, (28 September 2022). Internal cultural review published by News Corp Australia states ‘allegations of abuse, racial vilification and bullying’ could amount to human rights violations. The Cultural Safety Review found a “strong theme” during interviews with 17 First Nations people that there was “little regard” for cultural safety or family values between 2010 and 2016. The review recommends the club “develops and offers a reparation and restitution package to the victims of negligence and abuse committed to them by the identified members of the HFC football department” and that the restitution “be in the manner of financial reparations and an official public apology”.
  • 'As an Indigenous AFL player, I’ve faced abuse my entire career', opens in a new tab, Chad WIngard, GQ Magazine/Hawthorne Football Club, (8 September 2022). Hawthorn player and Kaurna Ngarrindjeri man Chad Wingard has faced abuse on and off the field. In this personal essay with GQ Australia Magazine, Chad explains what needs to change - and how.
  • Systemic Racism, opens in a new tab, Reflect Forward, (8 September 2022). Systemic racism runs deep throughout Australian culture and society – but what does it really mean, and how do we go about creating change?
  • 6 Ways to Respond to Racism, opens in a new tab, Reflect Forward, (24 August 2022). Responding to racist comments or incidents can be challenging for everyone – those who directly experience the racism and others present. Here are six ways to help you respond.
  • A deep dive into inclusive and cultural safety within netball, opens in a new tab, sportanddev.org, (13 July 2022). The Black Diamonds project – the first of its kind – reviewed the netball service delivery within Australia to ensure the policies and practices are transformed to better facilitate the engagement and retention of Aboriginal people within netball. Through yarning circles, an Aboriginal research methodology, it was discovered that one of the most common barriers that participants face within the sport of netball is discrimination and racism. Participants explained how throughout their lives, discrimination was experienced and felt in a variety of ways. Their experiences of discrimination ranged from segregation and not feeling welcome/not fitting in, to not being heard or feeling as if they do not have a safe space for feedback. Participants talked about how they would often brush off racist experiences outwardly, but inwardly would feel disrespected and isolated. The broad and life-long detrimental effects of overt and institutional racism are highly damaging, with these experiences often leading to poor mental and physical health.
  • Two years on from the Jemma Mi Mi incident, Super Netball is in a better place to celebrate First Nations Round, opens in a new tab, Brittany Carter, ABC, (25 May 2022). In the aftermath of netball's missed opportunity to showcase real representation of First Nations people in the sport, many other former Indigenous players went public with their stories, exposing the ways the sport they loved had also let them down. In the two years since Mi Mi could not get on the court, Netball Australia has introduced its Declaration of Commitment and various states have taken that pledge a step further by implementing reconciliation action plans and officers, and in some cases, introducing Indigenous advisory committees. The number of First Nations players in Super Netball has risen to three this season, with Donnell Wallam making her debut at the Queensland Firebirds alongside Mi Mi, and Melbourne Vixens training partner Gabby Coffey appearing for the Collingwood Magpies under COVID protocols.
  • Racism in Sport: so where to from here?, opens in a new tab Josephine Sukkar AM, Chair Australian Sports Commission, Melbourne University Pursuit, (29 September 2021). While we have made great steps forward, when the ‘rubber hits the road’ Australia is coming up short when it comes to racism in sport. This is an edited extract of Josephine Sukkar AM’s Dungala Kaiela Oration co-hosted by the Kaiela Institute and the University of Melbourne. You can watch this year’s Oration on YouTube, opens in a new tab.
  • Victorian netballers exit club in latest local sport racism saga, opens in a new tab, Shahni Wellington, NITV/SBS, (21 July 2021). An abhorrent slur used by their own teammate in the A-grade competition has seen the departure of nine Aboriginal netball players in their stand against racism. There were multiple exchanges to try and rectify the situation through committee avenues, with the representative of the Indigenous playing group saying she felt "unheard" and made to be "the aggressor instead of the victim." An investigation has been concluded by the Ardmona Football Netball Club with the player in question receiving a life ban and a 'strong recommendation' that she attend Cultural safety training. Despite the outcome, the complaint process was arduous and the Indigenous players demand more to be done to stamp out racism in sport.
  • A not guilty verdict at a suburban league tribunal has shone a spotlight on racism issues in club football, opens in a new tab, Russell Jackson, ABC Sport, (19 July 2021). A Heidelberg footballer was found not guilty of racially abusing Bundoora's Indigenous star Kain Proctor. Indigenous footballers say racial abuse is not being taken seriously enough by the Northern Football Netball League. Incidents of racial abuse have been all too frequent in senior and junior ranks.
  • Why we're not doing better at racism in sport, opens in a new tab, Karen Farquharson, Ramon Spaaij, Melbourne University Pursuit, (4 February 2021). Collingwood isn’t the only club where racism is part of the culture, but the AFL club’s report highlights the ongoing problems of dismantling racism in Australian sport. Having done extensive research with community sports clubs, it’s clear that racism is a feature of sport that is present from the start of many athletes’ careers. For those experiencing racism, they must weigh up the likelihood that their complaint will be received well, the likelihood that the racism will stop as a result of the complaint, and the career damage that complaining will cause. In our research, the costs of making a complaint was almost always considered too high. Dismantling racism cannot be the responsibility of those on the receiving end. It’s everyone’s responsibility, especially white people (this is where Collingwood failed spectacularly). White players and staff should notice and speak out when racism is present. Bystander intervention is one of the most effective ways to combat racism and reduces the risk of repercussions for its victims.
  • Collingwood's 'Do Better Report' released, opens in a new tab, Collingwood Football Club, (1 February 2021). The CFC DO BETTER REPORT is an independent review that challenges Collingwood to take a leadership position in Australian sport by confronting racism. It also urges Collingwood to use its past to inform its future and to drive change in our game and, more broadly, our nation.
  • Collingwood Football Club is guilty of systemic racism, review finds, opens in a new tab, Tracey Holmes, The Ticket/ABC Sport, (1 February 2021). While reference was made to claims of racism across the AFL more generally, Collingwood's history with racism was described as "distinct and egregious", with the club's leadership, "particularly its board", needing to drive structural change.
  • Racism is not just a sporting matter, it is a matter for all Australians, opens in a new tab, Tracey Holmes, The Ticket/ABC Sport, (12 January 2021). Why does sport have such a problem with racism? It's a question we hear all the time, but it's the wrong one. It happens in sport because sport is part of who we are. Sport is not separate to the schools we go to, the workplaces we are employed by or the suburbs we live in. We often hear about sport being in the "DNA of the country". Racism happens in Australian sport because there is racism in Australia.
  • Racism in Australian netball ended my career before it even began, opens in a new tab, Celeste Carnegie, IndigenousX/The Guardian, (24 September 2020). The racism I experienced came in many forms, and always in waves. Sometimes in the form of micro-aggressions, other times in the form of gaslighting my experiences, and more than a few times in direct language and actions. I experienced ostracising by my teammates and racist remarks disguised as attempted failed jokes.
  • Racial abuse is rife in junior sports – and little is being done to address it, opens in a new tab, Karen Farquharson, Ramon Spaaij, Ruth Jeanes, The Conversation, (14 June 2019). The AFL and its clubs have finally issued an apology to two-time Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes for their handling of the relentless racist booing that marred his last year of football in 2015. This apology is welcome, though certainly overdue. Despite its failures to adequately address Goodes’ situation at the time – and its subsequent delay in apologising – the AFL has actually been considered a leader in Australian sport for its efforts to stamp out racism among players. The AFL’s approach to managing racial vilification has been adopted throughout Australian sport, including at the community level. But it may be surprising to hear that these efforts to tackle racism on the field have been largely ineffective in junior sport. And it is at junior sport level where children learn the norms, values and practices around what is and is not acceptable behaviour. According to our interviews, the most effective way to address racist taunts by players was for their own teammates to call it out. In more extreme cases, some of the teams we surveyed refused to continue the match if a player was being vilified. This had an immediate effect – the racist behaviour stopped and didn’t start again.
  • Eddie Betts and racism in sport: it’s not enough to just not join in, opens in a new tab, Keith Parry, The Conversation, (23 August 2016). Sport can be a driver for change; it can make a difference in people’s lives and unify communities, particularly around national successes. But it can also create tensions and cause conflict. Significantly, while Port Adelaide banned its banana-throwing fan, she was also invited to take part in the club’s Aboriginal cultural awareness programs, run by its Aboriginal players. Betts has supported this move, and educating offenders – and wider Australian society – as to why this behaviour is unacceptable and the impacts it has must be part of the solution. Players are increasingly taking a stand and not accepting racial (and other) abuse. Fans should follow their examples.
  • Racism in sport in Australia, opens in a new tab, Wikipedia, (accessed 11 August 2025). Racism in sport in Australia has a long history as stated by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Includes a list of cases related to racial vilification in Australian sport. In several of the cases, there was no racial vilification proved. The list concentrates on cases at the elite level of sport relating to athletes, spectators and commentators but there is anecdotal evidence of racism in community sport. These cases consequently received wide media coverage. There appears an increase in cases related to fans either at sporting events or through social media.

  • Black and proud the story of an iconic AFL photo, opens in a new tab, Matthew Klugman and Gary Osmond, NewSouth, (2013). It is one of Australia's most iconic images. On 17 April 1993, the Indigenous AFL footballer Nicky Winmar stood up against racial abuse and made history. Facing the Collingwood crowd that had taunted him all day the St Kilda player pulled up his shirt, pointed to his chest and declared: 'I'm black and I'm proud to be black'. Published the next day, the photos of Winmar's gesture sparked an intense debate that forced the AFL, the fans and the nation to confront their prejudices head-on. Black and Proud takes us behind the searing image to the stories of those who made it happen - the Indigenous.
  • Indigenous People, Race Relations and Australian Sport, opens in a new tab, Christopher J. Hallinan, Barry Judd (editors), Routledge, (2013). This book investigates the many ways that Indigenous Australians have engaged with Australian sports and the racial and cultural readings that have been associated with these engagements. Questions concerning the importance that sports play in constructions of Australian indigeneities and the extent to which these have been maintained as marginal to Australian national identity are the central critical themes of this book.

  • Racism: It Stops with Me, opens in a new tab. The national Australian Human Rights Commission and Play by the Rules campaign to raise awareness of racism in society has used high profile sportsmen and women such as Adam Goodes to promote key messages through multiple media channels.
  • Safeguarding hotline, opens in a new tab. Sport Integrity Australia have implemented a range of policies, such as a confidential reporting hotline, aimed at safeguarding athletes at all levels from racial abuse. The hotline - 1800 161 361 - has been created for members to share their story about issues they have experienced in sport, which includes wider racial and cultural issues in sport. It operates from 7am-7pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • Reflect Forward, opens in a new tab is a joint-movement between racism education company One Love Australia and the Australian sports industry. It’s about starting an ongoing conversation about racism in sport, and working towards eliminating it at all levels throughout Australia. It’s backed by athletes, national sporting organisations and players’ associations who want to commit to making meaningful change in eliminating racism in Australia. Many campaigns or initiatives have preceded this movement, they’ve focused on awareness and education - we go one step further by building measurable impact into our long term model that is aimed at meeting people where they’re at in their racism education journey.
  • #DOMORE, opens in a new tab is a call to action for Australians wanting to be more informed, more educated, and more engaged in challenging racism. The #DoMore Project will use the stories of Australians of all backgrounds to challenge existing beliefs and raise awareness of the impact of racism. By understanding how we can all do more, we’ll help create an equal future for all Australians.
  • Show Racism the Red Card, opens in a new tab [UK]. Established in January 1996 Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity. To this day SRtRC continues to utilise the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society and has also expanded into other sports. The majority of the campaign’s work involves the delivery of educational workshops to young people and adults in schools, workplaces and at events held in football stadiums. Across the UK, SRtRC provides educational sessions to more than 50,000 individuals per year. In addition to the direct education of young people and adults, SRtRC produces educational resources, to challenge misconceptions, stereotypes and negative attitudes in society.

  • Insights & Impact Report: Edition 3, opens in a new tab, AFL Players Association, (May 2024). Report highlights that racisim continues to be an issue within the industry.
    • 42% of AFLM, and 23% of AFLW First Nations or multicultural players had experienced racism while playing in their respective competitions.
    • 26% of Indigenous and multicultural AFL and AFLW players reported facing racial vilification via social media channels.
    • The AFLPA, clubs and the AFL have taken a range of steps in recent years to make it clear that abuse of players is unacceptable in our game, including public denunciations of racism, banning fans from games, and revoking club memberships.
    • Satisfaction among players regarding the response to racist incidents is notably higher for those that occur in public forums and on social media - with 47% of players impacted through those channels being “entirely” satisfied with the response, compared to only 22% of players being “entirely” satisfied by the response to other sources of racism.
    • 14% of AFLW and 32% of AFLM players rated racism as one of the most significant societal issues facing Australian footballers in 2023.
    • Social media and in public were the most frequently reported sources of racism occurrences.
  • Physical activity and the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations people, opens in a new tab, Macniven R, Tishler X, McKeon G, et al., Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, catalogue number IMH 021, (December 2023). Summarises existing evidence on the relationship between physical activity and First Nations SEWB. It describes the policy context and actions, as well as program approaches implemented with First Nations adults and children in Australia. It takes the form of a scoping review of academic research and grey literature, including governmental reports and policy documents. The article focuses on the strengths of First Nations people’s experiences and knowledge and concludes with a summary of the key messages from this report that are essential for understanding First Nations physical activity participation and SEWB. Includes summaries of several programs and initiatives that include sport as a vehicle for engagement in physical activity.
    • What works * Culturally safe physical activity programs that are community-led and adopt First Nations values act as key facilitators of engagement in programs. * Enhancing cultural identity through engagement in physical activity that has a cultural focus, and that fosters connections with family and kinship, enriches SEWB outcomes. * Other facilitators of physical activity participation include support from family and friends, and opportunities to connect with community or culture. * First Nations community involvement increases program effectiveness, relevance and sustainability.
    • What doesn’t work * Programs that do not centre First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing are unlikely to be well received or effective. Generally, these programs have barriers that impede program participation and subsequently hinder potential improvements in SEWB. * These barriers include insufficient transportation, time inefficiency, high program costs, and conflicting family and community commitments. * Racism can act as a deterrent for First Nations people to participate in available programs, services and initiatives that enhance SEWB.
  • Insights & Impact Report: Edition 2, opens in a new tab, AFL Players Association, (June 2023). Report highlights that racisim continues to be an issue within the industry with little change since the first edition of the Report. Anecdotally, many AFL and AFLW players feel threatened by potential consequences of speaking out and believe that a culture of silence pervades throughout the industry.
    • 77% of AFLW and 40% of AFL indigenous/ multicultural players reported not being satisfied with how a racism incident was handled once reported.
    • 32% of responding Indigenous and multicultural AFL players, and 30% of responding Indigenous and multicultural AFLW players having experienced racism.
    • 14% of respondents reporting experiencing racism in the past 12 months.
    • 15% of AFLW and 43% of AFL players rated racism as the MOST significant societal issue facing AFL footballers in 2021.
    • Social media and in public were the most frequently reported sources of racism occurrences.
  • Holding up a mirror to cricket, opens in a new tab, The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), (June 2023). In November 2020, the ECB announced its intention to establish a Commission “to assist the ECB Board in assessing the evidence of inequalities and discrimination of all forms within cricket, and the actions needed to tackle these issues.” The ICEC was then established in March 2021. The problems we identify are not, sadly, unique to cricket. In many instances they are indicative of equally deeply rooted societal problems and so whilst our headline finding is necessarily blunt, we consider the fact that the ECB proactively initiated this process and opened itself up to independent scrutiny is both positive and brave. The evidence is unequivocal: racism is a serious issue in cricket. We are clear, as a Commission, that racism in cricket is not confined to ‘pockets’ or ‘a few bad apples’, nor is it limited to individual incidents of misconduct (i.e., interpersonal racism). In our opinion, the cumulative picture of evidence demonstrates that racism, in all its forms, continues to shape the experience of, and opportunities for, many in the game. Whilst 50% of all respondents described experiencing discrimination in the previous five years, the figures were 87% of people with Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage, 82% of people with Indian heritage, and 75% of all Black respondents.  The report also highlights the demographics of cricket as overwhelmingly white, male, and from private schools. As such, the evidence points to the fact that often those from ethnically diverse communities are not afforded the same opportunities, the same recognition and the same support as their White counterparts in any aspects of the game (i.e., leadership, participation, coaching, etc.).
  • Insights & Impact Report: Edition 1, opens in a new tab, AFL Players Association, (September 2022). Report highlights that racisim continues to be an issue within the industry.
    • Of the 92 players that identified as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or as a person of colour, almost a third (29) reported having experienced racism while listed as an AFL player: 15 within the past 12 months, 13 within the past 2-5 years, 8 longer than 5 years ago.
    • Players reported the most common instances of racism as occurring on social media. However, more concerning were reported incidences of vilification from people within the industry.
    • Of the players who experienced incidences of racism, only 17% felt that these were dealt with entirely to their satisfaction. This disappointing response highlights an area of future focus for the industry.
    • From the broader playing group sample, survey responses indicate that AFL players are confident they know how to recognise and react when they see or hear racism at their club or while playing AFL; 81% being entirely confident and 17% being somewhat confident.
    • Despite these high levels of confidence, 57% of players would welcome more support, tools and/or education to equip them in confidently responding to incidents of racism when they occur.
  • Black Diamonds Report, opens in a new tab, Glass Jar, (April 2022). The first of its kind, the Black Diamonds Project reviews the netball service delivery to ensure that the policies and systems of netball in Western Australia are transformed to better facilitate the engagement and retention of Aboriginal people to the sport of netball. This review took place between February 2021 and February 2022. The dominant method of data collection was Yarning Circles, a uniquely Aboriginal methodology, with four stakeholder groups, across two phases. The most common barrier that participants face within netball is discrimination and racism. Discrimination was experienced and felt in terms of unfair calls made by umpires; non-selection for teams and selection criteria; not many black girls on teams; exclusive, segregated groups or not feeling welcome/not fitting in; not being heard or not having a safe space for feedback; and a lack of understanding of circumstances. Many participants talked about institutionalized or systemic racism, which prevented Aboriginal people from getting ahead in the pathway. Several participants mentioned racism from individuals that was “casual” or “outright”. For example, one participant spoke about how she was presented with an award for being the “Token Black” (this is literally what it said on the certificate) by her Association. Participants talked about how they would often brush off racist experiences outwardly, but inwardly would feel disrespected and isolated. Many of the experiences that relate to discrimination and racism are also linked with other barriers, in particular Cliques, Purple Circles, and Politics; Lack of support; Communication; Socio-economic Situation and Self Confidence and Shyness.
  • Are We One?: The Ontario University Athletics Anti-Racism Report, opens in a new tab, Joseph, J., Razack, S., McKenzie, B., IDEAS Research Lab, University of Toronto, (October 2021). A research study led by Dr. Janelle Joseph and the Indigeneity, Diaspora, Equity, and Anti-racism in Sport (IDEAS) Research Lab to discover the OUA racial demographics, experiences and knowledge of racism, and strategies for change. Findings: Stop believing racism is only at another school or on another team. Racism is part of every OUA program. Racism can be obvious/overt or subtle/hidden. Hiring and recruitment can be unfair, leaving out excellent racialized student athletes, coaches, and administrators who can bring success to Ontario universities. Not every community member understands what racism is, or how white privilege operates, and many athletes suffer silently. Most institutions lack transparent anti-racism policies and reporting processes. Overwhelmingly, the examples shared by student athletes, coaches, and sport administrators fall into the category of ‘microaggressions’. These are “the brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioural, and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial, gender, sexual-orientation, and religious slights and insults to the target person or group” (Sue, 2010, p. 5). The gestures, jokes, or mistreatment described below were (at times) indirect; nevertheless, they are deeply felt by racialized members of the community and perpetuate exclusion.
  • Do Better — Independent review into Collingwood Football Club’s responses to Incidents of Racism and Cultural Safety in the Workplace, opens in a new tab, Professor Larissa Behrendt, Professor Lindon Coombes, UTS, (2020). This is not a review to determine whether racism had been perpetrated against individuals at Collingwood. On the extensive evidence on the public record and in our conversations with staff, players, ex-players and supporters, it is clear that players and fans have experienced incidents of racism and that Collingwood’s response to these incidents has been at best ineffective, or at worst exacerbated the impact of the racist incidents. The continual failures in this regard speak to a systemic racism within the Collingwood Football Club that must be addressed if things are to change. To this end, this review is focused on the responses of the Collingwood Football Club to incidents of racism and cultural safety in the workplace and the adequacy of the processes for addressing it.
  • Gari Yala (Speak the Truth): Centreing the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians at work, opens in a new tab, UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research/UTS Business School, (2020). Gari Yala – Speak the Truth is a report by the Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research that centres the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. Based on a survey of over 1,000 Indigenous employees, it exposes widespread experiences of racism, lack of cultural safety, and identity strain in Australian workplaces – issues that are harming wellbeing and job satisfaction.
  • Indigenous Australians' Participation in Sports and Physical Activities: Part 1, Literature and AusPlay data review, ORC International prepared for the Australian Sports Commission, (May 2017). This report includes a summary of the key drivers and barriers of Indigenous participation explored in the AusPlay data, and summarised from the recent literature. The main barriers to participation referred to in the literature fell broadly under the following categories: Other commitments, especially to family or community; Personal illness or injury; Financial; Access; Safety or comfort; Different cultural construct of sport and physical activity; and Racism. Feelings about what was culturally appropriate, or different cultural preferences for “the way physical activities are constructed and organised, the spaces they take place in and the times they occur,” meant that some Indigenous people did not want to do certain sports and physical activities. Racism can act as a barrier both in preventing Indigenous people taking up a sport or physical activity, or continuing to participate.
  • What's the Score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian sport, opens in a new tab, Paul Oliver, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, (2006). This section of What’s the Score? provides a summary of reports, census’, surveys and publications related to the level of participation in sport by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds (CALD). There are a significant number of barriers faced by Indigenous and CALD people with regards to participation in sport. Potential threat, or experience, of discrimination or racism was one of the significant barriers to participation identified by the report.

  • Simple rules for creating and sustaining an anti-racist sport and exercise organisation, opens in a new tab, John F. T. Fernandes, Craig Brown, NiCole R. Keith, et al., International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, (7 January 2025). In the sporting world, a significant burden and labour is placed on athletes of colour to make strides towards anti-racism. However, every individual working with the sport and exercise industry must act to condemn and eradicate racism. Sport and exercise organisations are in an opportune place to contribute to anti-racism efforts because of their wide reach, yet there is a need for clear advice on how to make change. Therefore, we provide commentary on 10 simple ‘rules’ that can support sport and exercise organisations in creating and sustaining an anti-racism.
  • Across field and classroom: The activism of Adam Goodes and the role of Australian teachers in tackling racism, opens in a new tab, Sam Schulz, Faye Rosas Blanch, Sam Elliott, Chapter 14 in 'Athlete Activism: Contemporary perspectives', Rory Magrath (ed.), Routledge, (2021). AFL offers a microcosm for examining broader social relations, and the 2019 documentary The Final Quarter offers insights into Australian racism on and off the field. The film follows the final years of First Nations Australian Adam Goodes’ playing career as he campaigns for racial justice while enduring the racial vilification of spectators, media and key figures in the AFL. The creators have made it free to Australian schools with a suite of resources in hopes that teachers will willingly teach about racism. However, anti-racism platforms struggle for legitimacy within the context of Australian schooling and choosing to teach about racism is optional. In this chapter, we discuss a qualitative study of pre-service teachers’ interpretations of the film and fundamental beliefs about teaching. This is set against a backdrop of post-racism that allows patent racism to masquerade as logic, making anti-racism activism slippery and urgent. We advocate in favour of cross-sectorial anti-racism alliances.
  • Empowering Indigenous Networks: Collaborative Governance and the Development of a Racial Vilification Code in the Australian Football League, opens in a new tab, Lionel Frost, Pieter Van Dijk, Andrea Kirk-Brown, The International Journal of the History of Sport, Volume 38(5), pp.472-491, (2021). Few Indigenous Australians played Australian Rules football at the elite level before the 1980s. As the number of Indigenous players increased, a network of those who refused to accept on-field racial vilification developed. Opportunities for change were also seized by the Australian Football League, through a collaborative governance approach that empowered Indigenous players to inform strategies for reconciliation and education, and the development of anti-vilification rules. The case provides information about how governance structures may generate resources that improve socio-economic outcomes for indigenous and other disadvantaged people.
  • Managing Racism on the Field in Australian Junior Sport, opens in a new tab, Karen Farquharson, Ramón Spaaij, Sean Gorman, et al., in 'Relating Worlds of Racism', palgrave macmillan, (2018). Junior sport is a popular activity for children under the age of 18. However there have been few analyses of the extent that racism is experienced in junior sport, or how sports clubs manage it. Farquharson, The authors investigate how junior sports clubs in Victoria, Australia manage experiences of racism during matches. Through an in-depth analysis of interviews with over one hundred players, parents, coaches and volunteers across nine junior sports clubs, they argue that structural and cultural factors result in the maintenance of an on-field sporting culture where racism is essentially tolerated, even when lip service is given to its inappropriateness. Both the official and the informal processes for managing racial abuse reinforce the marginalisation of non-White players while reinforcing the normativity of Whiteness in Australian sport.
  • AFL Rule 35 – The Biggest Game in Town: An analysis of the AFL’s vilification policy, opens in a new tab. Sean Gorman, Dean Lusher and Keir Reeves, The Footy Almanac, (2 June 2016). This introductory paper lays the foundation for this important work. This is the first time that a multidisciplinary, systematic study has been conducted into the Australian Football League’s (AFL) Rule 35 (1) – the first code of conduct introduced by an elite sporting organization in the world to deal with racial, religious and sexual vilification. Social and sport history in Australia will be discussed to further contextualize the importance of the research. For more information see Sport in Society, opens in a new tab, Volume 19(4), (2016).
  • The community network: an Aboriginal community football club bringing people together, opens in a new tab, Alister Thorpe, Wendy Anders, Kevin Rowley, Australian Journal of Primary Health, Volume 20(4), pp.356-364, (2014). The aim of the present study was to understand the impact of an Aboriginal community sporting team and its environment on the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of young Aboriginal men, and to identify barriers and motivators for participation. Results of the interviews were consistent with the literature, with common concepts emerging around community connection, cultural values and identity, health, values, racism and discrimination. Barriers and motivators for participation in Aboriginal sports teams can be complex and interrelated. Aboriginal sports teams have the potential to have a profound impact on the health of Aboriginal people, especially its players, by fostering a safe and culturally strengthening environment and encompassing a significant positive social hub for the Aboriginal community.

  • National Anti-Racism Framework, opens in a new tab, Australian Human Rights Commission, (2024). The Framework contains 63 recommendations for a whole of society approach to eliminating racism, with proposed reforms across Australia’s legal, justice, health, education, media and arts sectors as well as workplaces and data collection.
    • Recommendation 33. Australian governments fund public awareness and education on anti-racism for the community sporting sector, in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission.
  • Victoria's anti-racism strategy 2024-2029, opens in a new tab, Victorian Government, (2024). This strategy is the Victorian Government's 5-year plan to tackle racism and discrimination so we can build a safer, fairer and more inclusive state. This strategy focuses on ensuring all Victorians, including government and institutions, are central to efforts to prevent racism and discrimination in our state. It outlines how we can acknowledge, prevent and address racism and discrimination in schools, workplaces, government services and daily interactions.
    • As part of the consultation process people reported that public places like parks, streets, shopping centres and public transport are common settings for racism. Experiences included witnessing or experiencing racism in public and community sport settings.
    • People faced racism at sporting events from other players or spectators. Officials and community club staff were not always able or willing to step in. A 2022 survey of Victorians found that 29% of people identified racism in sport as a big problem, with racial vilification often justified as a form of ‘sledging’ to put players off their game. Racism is also common in junior sports involving children and young people, with racial abuse often not well managed by clubs and victims expected to ‘toughen up’.
    • A Key Action under Goal 1: Racist attitudes, behaviours and beliefs are recognised, challenged and rejected, is to deliver anti-racism campaigns in sport to drive behaviour change.

  • Anti-racism, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 16 October 2024). Explore a range of resources, courses, videos and podcasts and learn from the experiences of organisations who are leading the charge to remove racism from sport.
    • Anti-Racism – Dealing with the moment [online course], Australian Sports Commission, (2024). The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) partnered with anti-racism organisation Reflect Forward to design this course. It aims to help community coaches, umpires, participants and volunteers to deal with racism in the moment it occurs.

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ASC’s First Nations artwork titled KINSHIP. An indigenous painting by Brad Hore OLY encompassing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural elements to represent the ASC.
The Clearinghouse for Sport pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge the valuable contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to Australian society and sport.