Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has announced plans to hold a Racism and Racial Discrimination in Sport Roundtable in the coming months, reinforcing its position of a zero-tolerance approach to racism and racial discrimination in Australian sport.
Under the Sport Integrity Australia Act 2020, the agency is responsible for preventing and addressing integrity threats to sport, while leading a coordinated national approach to integrity matters. These threats include racism, discrimination, harassment and abuse.
To strengthen cultural safety across sport, SIA has recently established a Culture and Safety Advisory Committee to help guide the development of programs and protocols that are fit for purpose and promote inclusive practices.
In early 2026, SIA will convene a roundtable, bringing together leaders in Australian sport, athletes and community organisations, to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at tackling racism and racial discrimination.
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SIA CEO, Dr Sarah Benson, said racism and racial discrimination continue to harm First Nations peoples and culturally diverse communities, undermining the integrity of sport in Australia.
“This roundtable will focus on listening, learning, supporting and leading,” she said.
We are committed to building a sporting environment that is inclusive, respectful and safe for everyone.
— Dr Sarah Benson, Sport Integrity Australia CEO
“When sport truly welcomes everyone, it becomes a powerful tool for wellbeing, connection and growth,” Dr Benson said.
SIA’s Culture and Safety Advisor, Patrick Johnson OLY, engaged in a panel discussion this week in Brisbane following a screening of the ABC docuseries End Game with Tony Armstrong
He was joined by Sam Graham (CEO Brisbane Lions), Thereze Miburo (Bilingual Swim Assistant and Director, The Aqua English Project) and Maia Tua-Davidson (National Manager, Welcoming Clubs, Welcoming Australia).
End Game explores the experiences of First Nations athletes and people from racially diverse communities and the systemic challenges they have faced, with a key issue being online abuse via social media. It also raises important questions about equity, representation, and the future of sport in Australia.
The screening, proudly co-hosted by ABC Indigenous, Welcoming Australia, Brisbane Lions and Sport Integrity Australia, featured lived-experience insights from panel members and solutions-focused discussion on addressing racism in sport.
Mr Johnson said safe and inclusive sport has the unique ability to bring people together, reflecting our collective actions, values and aspirations as a society and country.
“But we must stand together to draw a clear line in the sand, demonstrating zero tolerance for racism and discrimination,” he said.
“We all have a role and responsibility when it comes to calling out racial vilification in sport. Whether you’re a fan, sponsor, player, coach, parent, we all have a role and responsibility in protecting sport and ensuring sport is fair, safe and inclusive for all.
“Racism in sport is an integrity threat, particularly as we lead into Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We need to make sure that we own it, we are accountable and drive the change that is needed.
Racism and racial discrimination have no place in sport, but to truly tackle it and find solutions to create change we must work with key stakeholders in this space and ensure the athlete’s voice is central to all we do.
— Patrick Johnson, Sport Integrity Australia Culture and Safety Advisor
“Our roundtable is a key step forward in generating that discussion, developing solutions and taking tangible steps towards stamping out racism in sport,” Mr Johnson said.
SIA’s commitment to confronting racism and racial discrimination in sport is clear – listen deeply, act decisively, and lead collaboratively. Through initiatives like the upcoming roundtable and the work of our Culture and Safety Advisory Committee, SIA is driving change to ensure sport reflects the values of fairness, respect and inclusion.