How sports clubs can promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence

Across the country in recent weeks, many of us have had the same conversation.

'How can our sports teams and clubs really take action to prevent gender-based violence?'

Sport shapes Australian culture. Many of us fall in love with sport when we are young, making lifelong friends in our first teams.

Our teams, friendships and communities grow with us into adulthood, whether our weekends are spent playing professionally, recreationally, or cheering from the stands.

This is why it is vital that professional sporting teams step up and play their part in building safer communities – for their athletes, for their staff and for their supporters.

Because everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and empowered to take part in this essential piece of Australian culture.

How can clubs promote safety, respect and equality?

Professional sports teams and clubs need to lead from the top, making their commitment to safe, equal and respectful cultures visible.

That means going beyond statements, into action.

So what does taking action on gender equality look like?

Tip 1: Create a Gender Equality Action Plan

Gender Equality Action Plans are already a mandate for businesses with over 500 employees, but they are also useful for sports clubs and organisations and extremely relevant in preventing gender-based violence.

The process often starts with taking the temperature of your organisation – what are the areas you are already doing well in? What are the areas you need to improve?

As the process continues, you can build the structures you need to address areas of concern and embed equality across the organisation. From ensuring women are equally represented in recruitment, to creating leadership pathways and mentorship opportunities for women, to looking at whose voice is heard and why, there are many ways you can start working for meaningful change.

Tip 2: Turn policies into practice

Sporting organisations and clubs must create structures and systems that address issues of sexual harassment and disrespect. 

That includes developing policies that are clear, accessible and actionable. It is also important to apply different 'lenses' to your policies, for example, a gender lens or disability lens. Applying these lenses can lead to fresh perspectives and allow your organisation to meet its equality goals in a way that is truly inclusive.

Leadership teams need to understand these policies and how to put them into practice. They must engage with staff, athletes and community members to increase awareness of the systems and support available, and build confidence in seeking help when it's needed.

Tip 3: Make expectations and consequences clear

Leaders must create clear expectations for how everyone in the organisation should behave and consequences if they don’t meet those expectations.

They must also enforce those consequences when required, regardless of a person’s profile or position in the club.

Tip 4: Empower bystanders

We’ve all heard sexist or disrespectful comments on the field or in the club dismissed as 'banter' or 'locker room talk'.

Organisations need to have a zero-tolerance policy for that kind of behaviour, and give everyone the tools and backing to call it out when it happens.

Show athletes, staff and supporters that they have a role to play as active bystanders , through words, body language or by reporting misconduct.

Tip 5: Step up for women and gender-diverse people

Sporting organisations and clubs need to look at how they support women and gender-diverse athletes, staff and community members.

Too many women and gender-diverse athletes have to put up with inferior facilities and resources, which prevents their teams from performing at their best. Consulting with athletes about what they need is vital. Ensuring fair and equal access for all athletes must be a priority for all clubs.

Male leaders and athletes can also use their sphere of influence to encourage others to attend games and events for their women’s teams. Showing up for teammates of all genders, across the club, is a powerful way to demonstrate respect and equality.

Promoting gender equality will benefit the whole club – and beyond

Doing this work will change your culture for the better. It’s about more than just preventing incidents of sexual harassment or gender-based violence, it’s about building a safer and fairer environment for everybody.

When women feel safe, valued and able to participate, your numbers and loyalty to the club will grow.

But the impact of this work has a ripple effect that will be felt across your whole community.

The research shows that gender-based violence is driven by sexism and disrespect. So when your club takes action and promotes equality and safety, you are actually playing a role in building a safer future for all.

This work isn’t just for professional sports clubs – it’s for every workplace and organisation across Australia

Professional sports clubs aren’t the only places that need to promote gender equality.

The issues that show up in professional sports clubs are present in our workplaces too. Under positive duty legislation, employers are required to prevent issues like sexual harassment before they happen in the first place.

And while every club or business will be different, the actions they take – from reviewing policies to creating Gender Equality Action Plans – will strengthen their culture and have an effect well beyond the office, worksite or field.

The Our Watch Institute can help your club prevent sexism and disrespect

As a team of gender-equality experts (and sports fans!) we have worked with clubs across codes, from amateur to professional leagues, to build stronger and more inclusive cultures.

This is about more than a one-off training session or certificate – this is about making an ongoing commitment to your players, staff and community.

We will meet your club or organisation where you’re at, building an approach that will help you reach your goals.

We offer:

• leadership and all-staff training

• policy reviews

• policy development

• pulse checks

• implementation support

• Gender Equality Action Plan development.

Ready to partner with the Our Watch Institute? 

Reach out today by emailing us or using the form at the bottom of the page to discuss your needs.