Sport Ethics - Overview

The Sports Ethics area focuses on issues such as harassment in sport and appropriate behaviours from players, coaches and spectators. The Office for Recreation and Sport, in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission SA, has developed strategies to address Harassment Free Sport issues. Services and training programs developed are risk management tools designed to assist organisations to protect themselves and their members from the consequences of unacceptable behaviour.

The services and programs are designed to create a safer and more tolerant sport environment by developing a system to prevent harassment and abuse in sport and to deal effectively and appropriately with it when it occurs. They have been developed in response to:

• Increased litigation in relation to discrimination, harassment and abuse in sport
• Increased media attention given to the issue
• Growing legal and ethical concerns around the responsibilities of sporting organisations, coaches, athletes, officials and other participants
• Lack of any mechanisms to deal with the issues, and
• Government legislation

Harassment in recreation and sport denies people the right to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness, and to participate in an environment that is enjoyable, safe and healthy.

Participants in sport can be particularly vulnerable to harassment because it happens in an environment characterised by close physical and emotional relationships and power dynamics. Coaches in particular often have enormous influence over their athletes and their sense of self-esteem. If used recklessly, irresponsibly or illegally this influence could cause great harm.

Some sports have a culture where sledging of others to gain a 'psychological competitive edge' and physical or verbal abuse said 'in the heat of the moment' are excused or seen as acceptable behaviours during competition. This has had a detrimental impact on many involved in sport, particularly officials.

In South Australia all clubs and associations are encouraged to:

• Develop and implement Harassment Free Sport Policies and to identify and nominate Member Protection Officers for their sport or activity
• Impliment the requirements of the Children's Protection Act 1993 and create a child safe environment within their organisation
• Integrate ‘Play by the Rules’ training and awareness into mainstream resources and training, such as volunteer, coach and official training
• Link ‘Play by the Rules’ training into day-to-day development programs for individuals such as athletes, participants and volunteers
• Incorporate awareness into the Junior Sport Framework

The Office for Recreation and Sport:

• Promotes awareness in school-aged children using the Active Australia Schools Network
• Encourages Local Government to promote harassment free recreation and sport through community recreation facilities
• Encourages State Sport and Recreation Organisations to integrate harassment free sport into their constitutions, rules and induction programs

For more information
Senior Project Officer

Safe Supportive Environments
Office for Recreation and Sport
Phone: +61 8 8416 6622

Email: participation@saugov.sa.gov.au