Role models

A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is, or can be, emulated by others, especially by younger people. Dictionary.com, opens in a new tab

Role models can encourage individuals to engage in sport and physical activity. They provide evidence that success is attainable, help counteract negative stereotypes, and represent possible future states. ^{1, 2, 6, 14, 105}

While elite athletes are often highlighted as successful role models, other research emphasizes the importance of family members, friends, coaches, and the broader community to promote positive engagement in sport and other healthy behaviours. ^{2, 6, 14, 55, 105}

A lack of visible role models, including limited numbers of LGBTIQ+ players, coaches, and officials, is often seen as a barrier to participation in sport. ^{1, 2, 18, 106}

A 2021 study in South Australia found that the lack of gay men seen in sports led participants to think that being gay and playing sport were mutually exclusive. This led many to either suppress their sexual identity or drop out completely. ¹⁴

Seeing diverse participants at all levels can help signal that sport is welcoming, safe, and that LGBTIQ+ belong and have a place. ^{2, 6, 8, 18, 20, 105}

Impact of negative role models

Role models who model poor, exclusive, or discriminatory behaviours can also have a negative impact on those around them, the culture of the organisation, and sport more broadly. For example, if a respected team captain or coach frequently uses homo/bi/transphobic language this behaviour is likely to be more accepted and/or copied by younger players and coaches, and lead to an environment that is unwelcoming and potentially unsafe for LGBTIQ+ participants. ^{56, 57, 107}

Media commentary – including about issues such as the equal marriage debate and trans and gender diverse participation in sport – has also been highlighted as having an impact on LGBTIQ+ individuals. Antagonistic coverage can reduce the likelihood of individuals engaging in sport or other areas of public life. ^{2, 10, 25, 106}

For this reason, it is important to have leaders and participants at all levels actively promote and role model inclusive and welcoming behaviours, including active ‘allyship’ of LGBTIQ+ participation. ^{2, 14, 15, 18}

Allies as role models

68% of respondents to the 2023 Pride in Sports survey agreed that active allies positively impacted their sense of inclusion. ¹⁵

Allies are often heterosexual and cisgendered but can also be a LGBTIQ+ community member supporting another aspect of the community (such as a cisgendered gay man who is an ally to transgender individuals). Allies can help to counter and challenge discrimination and harassment and support equal rights and fair treatment for everyone. ^{2, 108, 109, 110}

Active and visible allies in sport are important role models and can help to make LGBTIQ+ participants feel safe and welcome to participate. ^{2, 109, 110}

“Because we can’t be waiting for someone from the LGBTQ+ community to walk into our locker room and change the environment…It’s about anyone walking into that environment and not having to change who they are. It should be inclusive, so they can walk in and say, ‘Yeah, this is a place for me’.” Trent Robinson, coach of the NRL Sydney Roosters, quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald, (22 April 2023).

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