Club Respect: Smart Plays: Recent Episodes
Victorian Women's Trust
Smart Plays is Club Respect’s new podcast that shines a light on uncomfortable topics in Australian sport and aims to rebuild respect as the base platform for interaction between fans, parents, coaches, players and officials.
Join Club Respect Manager, Tarik Bayrakli, on a journey to bring sport into the modern world of respect and to rebuild the respect for each other that we need to have if sport is going to thrive.
Accountability in sports clubs. It’s an issue we’re focusing on more and more. Why? Because club committees and leaders are fed up with dealing with issues of poor sideline behaviour - week-in, week-out. Often, it’s abuse coming from the same person.
Most clubs are ill equipped to deal with the complaints and the confrontation, or threat of confrontation, and well, it’s hardly what anyone signed up for as an unpaid volunteer at their kids club.
While club’s are ultimately responsible for the behaviour of people at their club, sometimes the issues are just so far beyond what’s acceptable within their code of conduct.
The issues and complaints go higher up and get heard by a sports tribunal. Sometimes, the police are involved.
Well publicised league tribunals, like the AFL and NRL, have a certain theatre about them, with extensive video reviews from multiple angles. But I’m more curious about how it all plays out in the local leagues - the heartland of community sport.
Here to give us this insight is Sophie Arnold, a former journo for The Age, a veteran volunteer and Director at the Fitzroy Football Club and a tribunal member at the Yarra Junior Football League.
Resources:
- Fitzroy Junior Football Club
- Fitzroy Football Club (Seniors)
- Yarra Junior Football League
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:45 Legacy in clubland
3:56 The tribunal process
8:07 Common issues
10:14 Trends
15:03 Bigger picture in sport
17:00 Club advice
21:01 Finding the right balance
22:49 Looking ahead
25:44 Signing off
26:17 Credits
> Club Respect helps sports clubs build and maintain a deep culture of respect.
> Club Respect is a national harm-prevention initiative by the Dugdale Trust for Women & Girls, of which the Victorian Women’s Trust is Trustee.
In 2021, US popstar Pink offered to pay a fine imposed on the Norwegian Beach Handball team after they chose to wear bike shorts instead of the mandated bikini bottoms at the European championships. Pink argued that the Federation “should be fined for sexism”.
For many, this was their introduction to the idea that sports uniform design may not be as it seems, with the incident triggering a debate around freedom of choice and what is and isn’t proper.
At the grassroots level, participation rates for women and girls continue to rise rapidly and adjusting to the needs of this growing participation base is essential.
The stats paint a compelling case for change:
- 69% of active girls said they would continue playing sports if they could wear their preferred uniform
- 43% of active girls were self-conscious about what they were wearing because of the uniform.
- 25% of inactive girls across eight countries said they would start playing sports if they could wear their preferred uniform.
I’m speaking with Professor Clare Hanlon, a leading researcher who argues that respect is about giving choices and that women and girls must feel confident and comfortable stepping onto the field of play.
Clare is the Chair of the Susan Alberti Women in Sport at Victoria University, spearheading research that has prompted major sports and peak bodies to rethink their uniform policies, helping women and girls to optimise their performance and comfort levels.
Resources:
- Prof. Clare Hanlon | LinkedIn
- Sports Uniforms for Girls | PUMA & Victoria University
- Women in Sport | Victoria University
- P!nk's tweet | X
- Emma Pallant-Browne post | Instagram
- ‘Awesome outcome’: White shorts ditched for AFLW players to ease period stress | The Age
Walking in two worlds is a balancing act. In one world, you’re connected with mob, kinship and community obligations; in another, you’re engaged in broader Australian society and expectations.
The challenge is real for First Nations people, especially for talented First Nations athletes aiming for a successful career in sport. It's also challenging for well-meaning clubs, from the grassroots to the elite level, who are sensitive to cultural diversity and want to do their best to welcome all their players.
I’m speaking with two Aboriginal women who have contributed significantly to community-led programs and shown the way for their communities as role models and leaders.
In this episode, we're chatting with Jacara Egan, a proud Muthi Muthi and Gunditjmara woman based in Melbourne, in Naarm.
Jacara is an Assistant Coach of the Essendon Bombers VFLW team and National Manager of First Nations Wellbeing and Healing at Headspace.
She’s a Change Our Game Ambassador, helping to level the playing field for women and girls in sports. She is an Australian Institute of Sport #ShareAYarn mentor where she meets with Australia’s top athletes to support their understanding of Reconciliation.
Jacara’s diverse experiences in social work, mental health, education, leadership and sport have given her a unique mix of qualities that can benefit clubs and First Nations players as they navigate mainstream clubs and build their resilience to walk in two worlds.
Resources:
- Jacara Egan | LinkedIn
- Share A Yarn | Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
- First Nations Australians | Sport Australia
- Steps towards reconciliation in community sport clubs | Club Respect
- Change Our Game | Victoria Government
“Nothing about us without us”. It’s an essential principle in community sport that is rooted in the idea that increasing the participation of an underrepresented group should not be forced or imposed without significant consultation.
This is definitely the case with programs and initiatives for First Nations people around the country, which are remarkably diverse, with their own culture, language, beliefs, and practices. A one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to benefit anyone.
So, what are the essential first steps to increase participation and create a welcoming environment for First Nations people? According to Sport Australia, having community-led initiatives and healthy, active role models are critical first steps.
We're speaking with two Aboriginal women who have made significant contributions to community-led programs and who have shown the way for their communities as role models and leaders.
In this episode, we speak with Tahlia Taylor-Kickett, a role model and leader for the NT Yapas football team and mentor for elite athletes with the Australian Institute of Sport's (AIS) Share-A-Yarn initiative.
Resources:
- NT Yapas documentary | SBS On Demand [16 mins]
- Share A Yarn | Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
- First Nations Australians | Sport Australia
- Steps towards reconciliation in community sport clubs | Club Respect
- Special thanks to Beki Smith, Adam Cassidy and Elaine Heaney for the introduction to Tahlia
The abuse of match officials continues to plague sport at all levels and every code.
It’s part of a deeply ingrained culture that is passed down from generation to generation. Kids are carelessly nurtured through years of observation, from having their parents lose the plot on the sidelines to spitting chips at the TV while watching their favourite team.
Over time, we may not realise, but we all have a choice:
- We can either go with the status quo, using our power to punch down on match officials and punch harder when they make a mistake. Or,
- We can acknowledge that match officials love the game as much as we do; they’re critical to everything running smoothly and, just like everyone else, make mistakes and learn from them.
So, what’s your choice?...
More info:
- Contact Patrick on twitter or LinkedIn
- Patrick has written for Club Respect on the topic of match official abuse.
- The ‘Sport at the Crossroads’ series, in particular, gives us a candid glimpse into the way different sports are dealing with the issue.
- Patrick’s article titled ‘Sport’s ugly blind spot – abuse of officials’ is still the most popular post on our website.
- Books by Patrick Skene
- The Big O: The Life and Times of Olsen Filipaina, and
- Celestial Footy, The Story of Chinese Heritage Aussie Rules
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” This powerful quote is about the importance of making decisions guided by a set of values.
The values of a sports club aren’t always so clear. But we know that success is important and so is creating an environment for people to connect. It’s also a place to help people grow, to learn, and to understand the world around them.
A club with a culture of respect acknowledges that there will be differences of opinion and disagreements. They acknowledge that people have their own stories that are worthy of being told.
But there are some stories that don’t get told. The struggles of people who don’t find sport as inclusive or welcoming. Their stories are usually told through campaigns that raise awareness such as mental health, Pride in sports, First Nations culture, women in sports, anti-racism, and others.
In recent years, we’ve seen some of these initiatives fail. Ironically, for not respecting those who have opposing views. The example of the Manly Sea Eagles pride shirt and player boycott still strikes fear in clubs wanting to establish themed rounds.
However, with genuine consultation, clubs can build knowledge from the ground up. They can demonstrate that the issue is important for the local community, their neighbourhood, and members. The ongoing nature of the consultation is what gives it credibility and it becomes the critical first step towards building greater advocacy.
In this episode, we’re shining the spotlight on the Balmain Tigers, an Aussie Rules footy club based in Sydney. They developed a campaign to increase awareness of First Nations culture and created the Pemulwuy Shield to honour the local Aboriginal warrior.
We speak with Daniel Bourke, who was an integral part of the formation of the Pemulwuy Shield and having it taken up as a permanent fixture in the Sydney AFL’s Indigenous Round.
A great motivator in his gym and footy communities and an active supporter of First Nations people and Recognition. Dan shares his insights into the development of the Pemulwuy Shield.
More info: * Dan Bourke's Instagram * Balmain Tigers launching the Pemulwuy Shield along with the Uluru Statement from the heart - AFL Sydney video [1:37mins] * Balmain Tigers Australian Football Club (Pemulwuy Shield) * The Australian Wars (SBS On Demand) - Rachel Perkins journeys across the country to explore the bloody battles fought on Australian soil and the war that established the Australian nation, seeking to change the narrative of the nation
Abuse on social media is a growing issue for athletes and sports brands. According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner:
- Online abuse is often racist, with first Nations players three times more likely to be targetted with online hate.
- Women were more likely to receive misogynistic abuse that is often sexualised and violent, with much of it going directly to a players personal pages.
- LGBTQI folks and people with a disability are 3 times more likely to be targeted.
While social media has enabled people from all walks of life to speak up, it’s also, paradoxically, suppressing these varieties of voices, with many removing their online presence or at least modifying their content to fall in line with standards that generate less hate.
In this episode, we speak with Matt Von der Muhll about how to tackle this problem using the power of Artificial Intelligence. He works with Respondology, an online platform that connects with social media profiles to automatically hide abusive posts before they can be seen by the public.
Big sporting brands such as FIFA, Premier League, NBA and other leagues and associations are all grappling with the negative impacts of online abuse to their players and brand image. Marketing staff at these organisations are continually subjected to abuse which requires constant vigilance and valuable time spent hiding and deleting abusive comments and images.
We want to truly understand why people direct abusive comments online and to change the behaviour along the way. But in the meantime, the unregulated “wild west'' of social media rages on. So, how can we shield players, clubs, leagues and associations from harmful comments that can negatively affect personal brand, reputation, livelihood, and mental well-being?
More info:
- ‘A really ugly playing field’: How tech is tackling online trolling of athletes (Cara Waters, Sydney Morning Herald)
- Matt Von der Muhll's LinkedIn
- Respondology website
- Safe on Social: Education and Consulting website (Kirra Pendergast)
- Special thanks to Iain Roy from SIGPA for introduction
Are ethnic clubs good for football? Can AFL still capture the multicultural market, or have they missed the boat? Can cricket shake its title of being pale, male and stale? How are these sports helping marginalised and multicultural communities to play the sports we love?
We speak with Nick Hatzoglou, a road-warrior in the community sport development world, having held significant community-focused roles with Cricket Australia, the Australian Football League and Football Victoria.
As a leading practitioner in creating diverse and inclusive clubs, we hear from Nick as he shares his insights, successful club stories and case studies.
“An environment that is free from harassment, bullying, degrading, or intimidating behaviour.” That’s the aim of Basketball South Australia who believe there’s absolutely no excuse or circumstance to act poorly towards others on or off the court.
State sporting associations hold a precarious position in Australian sports. They oversee and administer their respective sports from the top, but often lack the resources to ensure messaging and program take up at grassroots level. A predominantly volunteer workforce takes up this challenge, so the communication from the state sporting associations needs to be detailed, yet easy and compelling to implement.
Be A Good Sport is Basketball South Australia’s flagship program outlining the standards and acceptable behaviours in stadiums across the state.
In this episode we speak with Basketball South Australia's Operations Manager, Jacqui McConville, about the tinderbox atmosphere of Basketball and how leagues and associations around the state are taking a unified stand against anti-social behavoiur.
Haneen Zreika and the Pride Round jumper. Netball Australia and Hancock Prospecting. FIFA Men’s World Cup and player activism. Athlete power is challenging the way sports are run. But what happens when inclusion in sport results in another group feeling excluded? How can we maintain respect for each other through the challenge of player or club advocacy?
Diversity Themed Rounds and team jumpers should be the tip of the iceberg, the reward for club community engagement and programs to ensure everyone feels welcome to their club or sport. However, that’s not always the case where clubs are keen to support marginalised groups without adequate consultation with existing club members or as a profit-making exercise.
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In the episode we spoke about Rana's chat with Julia earlier in the year. Raw conversation and highly recommended.
- The Outer Sanctum, 5th Quarter | Rana Hussain and Julia Chiera
Shocking research results showed that 82% of Australians experience 1 form of interpersonal violence in sport as a child.
The study was the most comprehensive of its kind in Australia, involving 886 adults, and asked whether they had experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence, as well as neglect, from either coaches, peers or parents during childhood.
- 82% of the adults who were sampled, reported experiencing at least one form of interpersonal violence when participating in community sport as a child.
- 67% had experienced psychological violence or neglect.
- 66% reported physical violence.
- 38% reported sexual violence.
These statistics would be alarming in a school or workplace yet there’s a sense of ‘well, that’s just the way it is in community sport’ or a belief that abuse and violence leads to resilient humans with no mention of the trauma attached to these experiences. What can sports do to decrease this alarming statistic?
If you believe you have experienced violence during your childhood participation in sport, you can lodge a complaint through Sport Integrity Australia's online portal.
Victoria Rawlings and Damian Anderson are on the front line of trying to improve what has become a dismal situation, the improvement and conditions and respect for female umpires in Aussie rules football.
Their report ‘Girls and women in Australian football umpiring: Understanding registration, participation and retention' rattled a few cages when it was leaked to the media in mid-2022. Subsequently, the Australian Football League (AFL) apologised 'to any woman who suffers harassment or sexism of any kind, and would encourage them to report it to their local club, to their league or to the AFL itself'.
Victoria Rawlings is a Former AFLW and AFL NSW/ACT Umpire, a lecturer at Sydney University and the co-author of the report ‘Girls and women in Australian football umpiring: Understanding registration, participation and retention'. Damian Anderson, Former AFL National Community Umpiring Development Manager and co-author of the report.
The report addresses the issues in Umpire club culture and identifies the next steps (and recommendations) for the AFL and other sport codes to consider.
Parents and Guardians play a crucial volunteer role in making sure grassroots sport takes place, being the transporter, supporter, spectator, consoler, officiator and educator.
Coaches are the custodians of club values, influencers on the coal face and the behavioural role models for players – for better or worse.
Strong and clear communication between these two critical players in the sport eco-system is too valuable to ignore – and with an increase in entertainment options available to modern kids, participating in community sport cannot be taken for granted.
Julia Walsh is a leading academic in sports culture, high performance environments and is passionate about creating inclusive spaces for young people to thrive in sport. She’s a Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University and a Director of the 2021/22 Women’s National Basketball League Champions, the Melbourne Boomers.
Resources:
Parents, can’t live with them, can’t live without them!
Club Respect: Smart Plays was produced with special thanks to the Wood Foundation and Spicers Australia.
Production team
Host & Executive Producer: Tarik Bayrakli
Executive Producer: Mary Crooks AO
Creative producer: Patrick Skene
Editor/Mixer: Pariya Taherzadeh
Graphic designer: Ally Oliver-Perham
With thanks to the entire team at Victorian Women's Trust.
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