Accountability in sports clubs. It’s an issue we’re focusing on more and more. Why? Because club committees and leaders are fed up with dealing with issues of poor sideline behaviour - week-in, week-out. Often, it’s abuse coming from the same person.

Most clubs are ill equipped to deal with the complaints and the confrontation, or threat of confrontation, and well, it’s hardly what anyone signed up for as an unpaid volunteer at their kids club.

While club’s are ultimately responsible for the behaviour of people at their club, sometimes the issues are just so far beyond what’s acceptable within their code of conduct.

The issues and complaints go higher up and get heard by a sports tribunal. Sometimes, the police are involved.

Well publicised league tribunals, like the AFL and NRL, have a certain theatre about them, with extensive video reviews from multiple angles. But I’m more curious about how it all plays out in the local leagues - the heartland of community sport.

Here to give us this insight is Sophie Arnold, a former journo for The Age, a veteran volunteer and Director at the Fitzroy Football Club and a tribunal member at the Yarra Junior Football League.

Resources:

• Fitzroy Junior Football Club
• Fitzroy Football Club (Seniors)
• Yarra Junior Football League

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
1:45 Legacy in clubland
3:56 The tribunal process
8:07 Common issues
10:14 Trends
15:03 Bigger picture in sport
17:00 Club advice
21:01 Finding the right balance
22:49 Looking ahead
25:44 Signing off
26:17 Credits

> Club Respect helps sports clubs build and maintain a deep culture of respect.

> Club Respect is a national harm-prevention initiative by the Dugdale Trust for Women & Girls, of which the Victorian Women’s Trust is Trustee.

In 2021, US popstar Pink offered to pay a fine imposed on the Norwegian Beach Handball team after they chose to wear bike shorts instead of the mandated bikini bottoms at the European championships. Pink argued that the Federation “should be fined for sexism”.

For many, this was their introduction to the idea that sports uniform design may not be as it seems, with the incident triggering a debate around freedom of choice and what is and isn’t proper.

At the grassroots level, participation rates for women and girls continue to rise rapidly and adjusting to the needs of this growing participation base is essential.

The stats paint a compelling case for change:

• 69% of active girls said they would continue playing sports if they could wear their preferred uniform
• 43% of active girls were self-conscious about what they were wearing because of the uniform.
• 25% of inactive girls across eight countries said they would start playing sports if they could wear their preferred uniform.

I’m speaking with Professor Clare Hanlon, a leading researcher who argues that respect is about giving choices and that women and girls must feel confident and comfortable stepping onto the field of play.

Clare is the Chair of the Susan Alberti Women in Sport at Victoria University, spearheading research that has prompted major sports and peak bodies to rethink their uniform policies, helping women and girls to optimise their performance and comfort levels.

Resources:

• Prof. Clare Hanlon | LinkedIn
• Sports Uniforms for Girls | PUMA & Victoria University
• Women in Sport | Victoria University
• P!nk's tweet | X
• Emma Pallant-Browne post | Instagram
• ‘Awesome outcome’: White shorts ditched for AFLW players to ease period stress | The Age

> Club Respect helps sports clubs build and maintain a deep culture of respect.

> Club Respect is a national harm-prevention initiative by the Dugdale Trust for Women & Girls, of which the Victorian Women’s Trust is Trustee.

Walking in two worlds is a balancing act. In one world, you’re connected with mob, kinship and community obligations; in another, you’re engaged in broader Australian society and expectations.

The challenge is real for First Nations people, especially for talented First Nations athletes aiming for a successful career in sport. It's also challenging for well-meaning clubs, from the grassroots to the elite level, who are sensitive to cultural diversity and want to do their best to welcome all their players.

I’m speaking with two Aboriginal women who have contributed significantly to community-led programs and shown the way for their communities as role models and leaders.

In this episode, we're chatting with Jacara Egan, a proud Muthi Muthi and Gunditjmara woman based in Melbourne, in Naarm.

Jacara is an Assistant Coach of the Essendon Bombers VFLW team and National Manager of First Nations Wellbeing and Healing at Headspace.

She’s a Change Our Game Ambassador, helping to level the playing field for women and girls in sports. She is an Australian Institute of Sport #ShareAYarn mentor where she meets with Australia’s top athletes to support their understanding of Reconciliation.

Jacara’s diverse experiences in social work, mental health, education, leadership and sport have given her a unique mix of qualities that can benefit clubs and First Nations players as they navigate mainstream clubs and build their resilience to walk in two worlds.

Resources:

• Jacara Egan | LinkedIn
• Share A Yarn | Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
• First Nations Australians | Sport Australia
• Steps towards reconciliation in community sport clubs | Club Respect
• Change Our Game | Victoria Government

> Club Respect helps sports clubs build and maintain a deep culture of respect.

> Club Respect is a national harm-prevention initiative by the Dugdale Trust for Women & Girls, of which the Victorian Women’s Trust is Trustee.