Supporting safe, respectful and inclusive sport across Western Australia
Creating environments where everyone feels safe, respected and welcome is fundamental to sport. Across Western Australia, State Sporting Associations (SSAs) and clubs play a critical role in shaping inclusive cultures-on and off the field.
The Racial Discrimination and Vilification Policy suite, developed through the True Sport Cultural Education Initiative in partnership with Sport Integrity and Governance Partners Australia, provides practical tools to support organisations in preventing, addressing and responding to racism in sport.
Why this matters:
Racism has no place in sport. Yet it can still occur in many forms-from overt behaviour to subtle or systemic actions that exclude or disadvantage individuals.
This policy framework supports organisations to:
- Create safe, respectful environments free from racism and vilification
- Promote cultural safety, inclusion and belonging
- Strengthen participation, trust and community connection
- Move from awareness to meaningful, lasting change
By adopting and embedding this policy, organisations demonstrate leadership and a clear commitment to equity and respect.
What the policy covers
The Racial Discrimination and Vilification Policy provides clear guidance on:
Understanding racism in sport
- Defines racial discrimination and vilification
- Recognises racism can be individual, interpersonal and systemic
- Highlights behaviours such as racial slurs, exclusion, stereotypes and microaggressions
Who the policy applies to
- Applies to everyone involved in sport-players, coaches, officials, staff, volunteers, parents and spectators
- Covers behaviour in person and online, across all sport-related environments
Rights and responsibilities
- Everyone has the right to a safe, inclusive sporting environment
- All participants are responsible for treating others with dignity, fairness and respect
Prohibited conduct
- Any form of racial discrimination or vilification is not tolerated
- Conduct may occur as a single incident or pattern, and intent does not diminish impact
Reporting and complaints
- Clear pathways to report, manage and resolve complaints
- Options for informal resolution or formal processes
- Support available through Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs)
Practical implementation support
To help organisations move from policy to practice, SportWest provides a suite of resources:
Policy Templates
Anti-Racism Toolkit
Step-By-Step Implementation Guidance
Building inclusive sport cultures
Implementing this policy is about more than compliance-it’s about building environments where people feel they belong.
Organisations are encouraged to:
- Embed anti-racism principles into governance, operations and culture
- Remove barriers to participation and leadership
- Engage with First Nations and culturally diverse communities
- Provide education on cultural safety and unconscious bias
Learn more: Webinar and Resources
As part of the initiative, SportWest has partnered with sector experts to support organisations in adopting and implementing the policy.
Understanding & Implementing the Racial Discrimination Policy
Facilitated by Iain Roy (Sports Integrity and Governance Partners Australia), this session covers:
- Why the policy is necessary
- Real-world scenarios and common challenges
- Complaint processes and expectations
- Practical steps to embed the policy in your organisation
Webinar Details:
Date: Monday, 29 June 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free
Get started today
Whether you are a State Sporting Association, club, or community sport leader, you can take action now:
👉 Download the policy templates
👉 Access the Anti-Racism Toolkit
👉 Utilise the video resources for guidance
👉 Share the resources with your community
👉 Begin your implementation journey
Need support?
SportWest is here to help.
For guidance on adopting or implementing the policy, or to access additional resources, contact our True Sport team via email truesport@sportwest.com.au or connect with your SSA.
Together, we can create sport environments that are safe, inclusive and respectful for all.