Sport is for Every BODY

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Intro: Hi, I'm Melissa Wu and I'm proud to be a champion for Sport is for Every BODY.

I'm Cam Boland. I'm excited to be part of a campaign that encourages more inclusive sporting environments for children and young people.

And I'm Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva. I'm proud to support this initiative that's all about making sport safe, inclusive and fun for everyone.

Sport should be a place where everyone feels safe, supported, and included. Where we build confidence through effort, not appearance.

Melissa Wu: Because even well-meaning comments about how someone looks, can make people feel excluded or uncomfortable.

That's why Sport Integrity Australia and the Embrace Collective have created a set of resources.

To help parents, coaches, and clubs focus on what really matters in sport - effort, teamwork, and enjoyment.

Cam Boland: They're designed to promote positive language, call out and shut down body shaming, and support body confidence in sport. 

Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva: Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, these resources are here to help you create a safe and inclusive sporting environment.

Melissa Wu: Let's change the conversation. Let's make sport a place where everybody feels welcome.

Cam Boland: Because when we focus on effort, teamwork, and enjoyment, sport becomes a place for everybody.

Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva: Watch the videos.

Cam Boland: Download the resources.

Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva / Cam Boland: And join us in protecting sport together.

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Amani - She/Her, Soccer Player: Sport is for everybody. We should all feel like we belong in sport.

Xavier - He/Him, Skateboarder: There can be a lot of pressure around the way we look in sport.

Amani - She/Her, Soccer Player: Like feeling judged and made to feel like you're not good enough. 

Some people even drop out because of the way they feel or because of something someone has said.

But here's the truth. Your body doesn't have to look a certain way to play sport.

Xavier - He/Him, Skateboarder: Sport isn't about having the right body. It's about having fun and feeling good with friends.

Amani - She/Her, Soccer Player: It's time to forget how we look and focus more on what our bodies can do.

Young athlete: My legs are powerful. They get me across the finish line.

Young male cricketer: I love how strong my arms are. They help me hit big sixes.

Young martial arts athlete: My body's not like anyone else's. That's kind of the point.

Young wheelchair basketballer: I love that my chair helps me get around the court.

Xavier - He/Him, Skateboarder: We get to use our bodies to move, play sports, express ourselves, and connect with each other.

Amani - She/Her, Soccer Player: Our bodies take care of all sorts of things for us, like turning our food into fuel for our sports, healing us when we are sick or injured, and figure out the whole breathing thing, to help us be active without us even trying. 

It's an incredible machine really, when you think about it.

Sport isn't about being perfect. 

It's about showing up, finding out what works for you, and trying your best, whatever that looks like on the day.

Xavier - He/Him, Skateboarder: Some of us dream of being in the big leagues, but sport is really about giving it a go and having fun with your friends along the way.

Amani - She/Her, Soccer Player: So, let's celebrate how we play, improve, and enjoy our sport together.

Xavier - He/Him, Skateboarder: What we say and do to each other matters.

Amani - She/Her, Soccer Player: Ouch. Let's not say anything negative about the way anyone looks. Even if you think it's just a joke, your words have a serious impact.

Collectively: Ssshh!

Xavier - He/Him, Skateboarder: Let's stick to the good stuff.

Young male cricketer: You're powerful.

Young female cricketer: Love your energy.

Young male cricketer: We've got your back.

Young female cricketer: Proud of you.

Young martial arts athlete: I am brave, strong, resilient. I am enough.

Amani - She/Her, Soccer Player: And don't forget to say those words to yourself, too.

Young martial arts athlete: This is my body. This is my sport. And I belong here.

Sports teams collectively: [Cheering]

Collectively: Sport is For Every BODY

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Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: Most of us come to coaching because we love sport and we want to help young people grow and thrive, not just as athletes, but as people.

But here's something we often overlook. What we say about bodies can either build kids up or quietly break them down.

Kushi - She/Her, Basketball Coach: I once told a young player he needed to bulk up to be stronger and more competitive.

At the time, I thought I was motivating him. I later learned he was being bullied at school for being too slim. The kids were calling him "stick man" and my comment reinforced that shame.

He wouldn't play without long sleeves under his jersey and eventually started using unhealthy eating habits and overtraining, trying to change his body instead of focusing on his skills.

That moment made me realize how powerful and harmful our words can be.

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Now I focus on building confidence, encouraging strength through training and resilience, and never saying anything about their body.

Kids are always listening. 

Even casual comments like; "you're so strong for a girl", or, "you'd be faster if you dropped a few kilos", can stick for years.

Instead of, "You've lost weight, looking good" try, "You're moving really well. Your consistent work's paying off."

Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: Instead of, "you need to slim down to be faster", try, "let's focus on building your stamina, speed, and technique".

Kushi - She/Her, Basketball Coach: Instead of, "you're too big or too small to play that position", try, "everybody has a role to play in this team. Let's make the most of your skills".

Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: Instead of, "you should work on your body if you want to get better", try, "your technique and passion for the game is what makes you unstoppable. Keep it up".

Kushi - She/Her, Basketball Coach: In general, it's best not to say anything about the way bodies look, even if you think it's a compliment.

Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: There's so much more we can celebrate. Effort, improvement, dedication, skills, attitude, and teamwork, not appearance.

Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: And then there's the things that young people say to each other. Body shaming is one of the biggest challenges in youth sport right now.

Kushi - She/Her, Basketball Coach: It's part of our role as coaches to pick up on these comments and make it very clear to all players, whether they're on your team or the opposition, these words are not okay.

Even when it's subtle or unintentional, even when it's said as a joke, can lead to insecurities, anxiety, eating disorders, or kids quitting sport altogether.

Zero tolerance on body shaming sounds like, "saying these things is not okay. That's not cool. Everyone belongs here and everybody deserves respect".

We've all made off-hand comments in the past or let a bit of banter slide.

Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: It's not about being perfect. It's about being more aware and giving things a go.

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Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: Now we know the impact of these words. We can do things differently.

It's actually pretty straightforward. 

Just shift the focus from how the kids look to what their bodies can do. Focus on skill development, technique, commitment, improvement, and attitude, not appearance.

Kushi - She/Her, Basketball Coach: And while we're at it, let's not say anything bad about ourselves either. We are the grown-ups in the room.

When we talk with kindness and respect, we create a team culture where every young person feels safe, seen, and strong.

Tyrese - He/Him, AFL Coach: And that's what's going to keep our kids moving and playing, cuz sport is for everybody.

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