SportsNation’s Post

Excellent news of additional funding for a member of our Safety and Wellbeing in Sport Research group- A/Prof Fiona McLachlan. Her research, in partnership with Football Victoria and Regional Sport Victoria seeks to help football clubs assess their club environment and implement new practices to address gender inequity. Gender inequality provides the underlying conditions for gender based violence to occur. Changing engrained, normalised behaviours takes time: it’s complex and you have to address the underlying gendered drivers (social norms, attitudes, structures) that lead to inequity. So far this project has worked with people from over 60 football clubs and has had some incredible impact in changing how people think about in-equity in sport (and yes, it goes far beyond just getting a women and girls team, though that's still a good step!). We also have some exciting new initiatives with their internal staff that are working towards a similar goal of improving gender equity within the staff and organisation more broadly through challenging current attitudes, behaviours and structures. Everyone deserves to enjoy all the benefits of sport participation, and to do so in an environment that is safe, respectful and inclusive. We all have a role to play in the this, but the key message is that we cannot passively solve this. We have to take action. #genderequity #genderbasedviolence https://lnkd.in/gyQg797u Victoria University

Research shows the more gender-equal our society is, the fewer instances of violence against women and girls will occur. VU’s Associate Professor Fiona McLachlan with the support of Football Victoria and the Victorian Government are working with 60 soccer clubs – giving them the tools to improve opportunities and experience for girls and women in their clubs. In many male-dominated sports, violence is accepted and sometimes celebrated which is why community sporting clubs are well-placed to deconstruct cultural norms and promote gender equity on and off the field. Learn how VU is working with governing bodies and local organisations to tackling gendered violence. https://lnkd.in/grdfzuUF

Attending the women's Ireland vs England Euro 2025 qualifier at Aviva Stadium was a profound experience, especially as it was shared with my daughters. The efforts of FAI coaches to ensure inclusivity by arranging tickets and transportation for young fans from small Irish villages were commendable, bringing together over 32,000 spectators to cheer on the Irish team. Despite one empty stand, the atmosphere was electric, transcending my own expectations as someone who wasn't encouraged to engage with soccer as a child. Witnessing the diverse crowd of families and hearing a young girl's desire to attend more games with her dad highlighted a shift towards inclusivity in sports. The resilience and spirit of the Irish crowd were palpable, as they rallied behind the women's team with unwavering support, creating a vibrant backdrop to a significant family outing for me. Checking my smart watch after the match it showed my stress levels in the orange zone, yes I became entranced and involved (I never thought I would) - of course it could have something to do with my recent heart surgery, but I tell you it was worth it! What's my reason for writing this on LinkedIn? Sharing experiences and insights about women in sports on platforms like LinkedIn is crucial. It's a way to foster dialogue and support for gender equality in sports, highlighting the progress made and the challenges that remain. By discussing these topics, we can encourage more inclusive practices and inspire the next generation, regardless of gender, to pursue their interests in sports. Football Association of Ireland #girlsinsport #womeinsport #diversity

🌈 Recently, the International Olympic Committee – IOC emphasised the importance of 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 in sports during 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡, stating that practicing sport without discrimination is a 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. Despite this, LGBTQ+ athletes still face significant barriers and discrimination at all levels of sport, from community to professional levels. 🏟️ Studies show that LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to participate in sports compared to their heterosexual peers, and those who do often drop out due to hostile environments. Nearly 7️⃣ 0️⃣ % of people believe that sports teams are unsafe for LGBTQI+ youth. 📊 GROUPE SOS is committed to combating all forms of exclusion and is convinced that sport is a powerful lever for promoting social cohesion. Through its Foundation for Inclusive Sport (Fondation pour le sport inclusif), it supports sports clubs in their fight against all forms of discrimination and works towards creating safer, more inclusive spaces for all. 🤝 Learn more about Groupe SOS' actions for LGBTQI+ access to rights and healthcare: https://lnkd.in/enGirhZH Fondation pour le sport inclusif Nicolas Derche têtu• Association Arcat SOS homophobie

“A report from the United Nations has revealed the huge number of medals female athletes have lost to trans opponents. The study - titled ‘Violence against women and girls in sports’ - stated that ‘policies implemented by international federations and national governing bodies’ had allowed athletes born male to compete in women’s sporting categories. It goes on to argue that athletes born male had gender specific attributes, such as higher strength, which were advantageous in certain sports and resulted in the ‘loss of fair opportunity’ for biologically female competitors. Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, presented the findings of her report to the UN General Assembly earlier this month. And this included the incredibly high number of biologically female athletes who had lost medals to transgender athletes. It revealed that over 600 female athletes had lost over 890 medals across 29 sports. The New York Post reported that Ms Alsalem also called on the UN to provide stronger protections for women and girls in sport. Aside from the transgender issues, Ms Alsalem also argued that women face other obstacles in sport. This includes social stereotypes, pervasive sexism and limited access to training facilities. She said: ‘Women and girls already have many odds stacked against them that impede their equal and effective participation in sports. ‘In addition, their ability to play sport in conditions of safety, dignity and fairness has been further eroded by the intrusion of males who identify as female in female-only sports and related spaces.’” #transgender #unitednations #reemalsalem

A Call to Action for Sports Clubs ‼️‼️‼️ Hello everyone, In recent days, we have witnessed a case that has shocked the sports community. Four players from Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield are being accused of sexual abuse by a young woman. This case reminds us of the importance of addressing and preventing sexual abuse in sports, and how sports clubs can play a crucial role in this endeavor. It is essential for sports clubs, especially those with youth divisions, to commit to educating young athletes about respect, consent, and gender equality. Here are some concrete ideas for actions that clubs can implement: 1. Mandatory education programs: Clubs should establish mandatory education programs that address issues of gender-based violence, consent, and healthy relationships. These programs should be delivered by trained professionals and tailored to different ages and levels of understanding. 2. Training for coaches and staff: It is crucial that coaches and club staff receive training on preventing sexual abuse and know how to identify and respond appropriately to any risky situations. This includes learning to recognize signs of abuse, how to report effectively, and providing support to victims. 3. Creating a culture of respect and empathy: Clubs should foster a culture of respect, promoting gender equality and challenging harmful stereotypes. This involves promoting values such as respect, tolerance, and empathy in all interactions both on and off the field. 4. Partnerships with external organizations: Clubs can establish partnerships with external organizations dedicated to preventing gender-based violence and sexual abuse. These partnerships can provide additional resources, training, and support for the programs implemented by the club. 5. Establishing safe spaces: Clubs must ensure that sports environments are safe and welcoming for everyone. This includes implementing zero-tolerance policies towards abuse and violence, and ensuring clear and confidential reporting channels for any incidents that occur. It is important for sports clubs to take responsibility for preventing sexual abuse and work proactively to educate their young athletes. Only through ongoing collaboration and a collective approach can we create a safe and respectful sports environment for all. Facing these challenges is not easy, but together we can make a difference. Let's make our clubs not only places of sports development but also spaces where respect, equality, and integrity are promoted. #PreventingSexualAbuse #RespectfulSports #EducationForAll

🚩 Nearly 21% of professional female athletes have experienced sexual abuse as a child in sport. 🚩 Female athletes were the targets of 87% of all abusive X (previously Twitter) posts during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. 🚩 Police reports of domestic violence rise by up to a third during large sporting events such as The FIFA World Cup. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most pervasive human rights challenges in the world today and is rooted in gender inequality, discrimination, and harmful cultural and social norms that emphasise men’s superiority over women and normalise violence toward women. Sport has been an environment for some of the most egregious cases of sexism and VAWG. Yet, it has also demonstrated tremendous potential to foster gender equality and address the conditions at the root of VAWG, promoting inclusivity, reshaping attitudes, and breaking down boundaries. Alongside UN Women, UNESCO and Spotlight Initiative, Thelma Gwen has developed 'Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport', a 120-page Handbook designed to facilitate informed and constructive conversations about how we can work together to address VAWG in sport. Aimed at sports practitioners and policy makers, this Handbook aims to create a shared understanding of the problem, offer practical tools for addressing VAWG in sport and propose areas for effective collaboration. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/eF-MnaPf #spotlightinitiative #unitednations #europeanunion #genderbasedviolence #womeninsport

Sport, as any part of society, is influenced by unconscious bias. Whether that be the opinion that women's sport is less competitive than mens or that a particular type of person can only play certain sports. The UK Sports Governance Code was revised in 2021 and part of that revision was to make all Tier 3 funded organisations produce and publish Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans. Cashain is part of the AKD team that is supporting these organisations with their plan. Cashain is not afraid of asking those difficult questions and that is exactly what is needed. Understanding that the issues are systemic is the first step on how to address them. Do you agree? #DiversityInSport #UnconsciousBias #EquityandInclusion

The article from The Conversation raises a critical and complex issue surrounding gender equality in contact sports, particularly in the context of brain injuries sustained by female professionals in women's rugby. While striving for gender equality in sports is undeniably important, it is equally crucial to address the unique risks and challenges faced by female athletes, especially when it comes to brain injuries. The pursuit of gender equality should not come at the expense of compromising the health and safety of female athletes. As the article points out, female rugby players are at an elevated risk of sustaining brain injuries compared to their male counterparts, highlighting the need for targeted research, education, and preventative measures tailored to address these specific risks. It is a delicate balance to promote gender equality in contact sports while ensuring the well-being and protection of female athletes. More comprehensive studies and data collection focusing on female athletes' brain health are essential to understanding the underlying factors contributing to this disparity and developing effective strategies to mitigate risks. Furthermore, raising awareness among coaches, medical professionals, and athletes about the signs and symptoms of brain injuries, as well as implementing rigorous protocols for diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, are critical steps toward creating a safer environment for female athletes. While gender equality in sports is a noble and necessary goal, it must be pursued with a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges and risks faced by female athletes. By prioritizing the health and safety of all athletes, we can foster an inclusive and equitable sports culture that empowers everyone to participate fully and safely. #Braininjury #TBI #CTE #WomensRugby #GenderEquality #SportsSafety #Concussion #AthleteHealth

🚨 New National Gender Equity in Sports Governance Policy Released! 🚨 Australia's first National Gender Equity in Sports Governance Policy has been launched to boost female representation in sports leadership. Developed by the Australian Sports Commission and State and Territory Sport Agencies, this policy sets clear targets for national and state sports bodies to achieve by July 1, 2027: 50% of board directors are women and/or gender diverse 50% of board chairs are women and/or gender diverse 50% of key board sub-committee members are women and/or gender diverse. In Queensland, our Activate! Queensland 2019-2029 strategy supports this policy and organisations funded under the department’s Active Industry Base Fund must achieve the gender equity targets on its board by 2029. Check out the policy and further info here: https://bit.ly/3XARv2u. Together, let's champion diversity in sports leadership! 💪 #GenderEquity #DiversityInSport #Leadership #QueenslandSport