Sport Integrity Australia hosts first Racism and Racial Discrimination in Sport roundtable

Leaders from across sport, government and the community gathered in Canberra this week for the Racism and Racial Discrimination in Sport roundtable, hosted by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), to progress a coordinated national approach to addressing racism in Australian sport.

The roundtable brought together athletes, administrators, policymakers and advocates to identify practical actions to improve cultural safety and inclusion, with a strong focus on strengthening education, accountability and system-wide action.

Participants agreed that racism in sport is an issue experience at all levels – from grassroots through to elite competition – and requires a coordinated approach.

SIA Culture and Safety Advisor Patrick Johnson OLY said measuring the problem remains a key barrier to progress.

We need to be looking beyond individual acts and into the patterns, cultures, systems and outcomes that shape people’s experiences in sport. It requires action at every level of sport.

– Patrick Johnson OLY, SIA Culture and Safety Advisor

The discussions highlighted education and role-modelling as key priorities. There is a need to deliver practical training, resources and support across athlete, coaching and administrator pathways, as well as to highlight those leading anti-racism efforts in sport, using their success to set standards and drive broader cultural change across the sector.
 

There was also strong emphasis on improving how racism is measured and addressed, including the need for better data, stronger accountability mechanisms and clearer responsibilities across the sector.

SIA CEO Dr Sarah Benson PSM said sport has a unique opportunity to lead broader cultural change.

Sport has the power to set the standard and create ripple effects far beyond the field. Just as we work to ensure fairness in anti-doping, we must show the same commitment to ensuring everyone can participate free from racism and discrimination – this is fundamental to genuine inclusion.

– Dr Sarah Benson PSM, CEO of Sport Integrity Australia

The roundtable reinforced that effective solutions must be shaped by those with lived experience, with First Nations peoples and multicultural communities identified as critical partners in designing and leading change.

This roundtable marks the first in a series of national discussions that will inform a coordinated approach to tackling racism in sport. 

Future sessions will focus on multicultural communities, culturally safe practices and strengthening collective action across the sector.