Facilities and Access
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People

Australia has a diverse population which is reflected in both elite and grassroots sport. A great example is the sport of football (soccer) which has a long history of participation by people who migrated to Australia from many countries around the world.

While many sporting environments may already reflect our diverse community there are still many opportunities to improve accessibility that every sport organisation in Victoria should consider. Ensuring that facilities are accessible, your communications are accessible and that barriers around the cost and location of programs are minimised is something that every sport organisation should continue to focus on. This will not only make your sport more accessible to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds – it will help you sport to be accessible to everyone.

If your organisation is working with culturally and linguistically diverse people, including newly arrived migrants or refugees, there are a few things you should consider in accessing programs:

• Is the cost of your programs, membership or competition fees a barrier to some people?
• Is transport a barrier and is there an opportunity for you to conduct activities in various locations which make it easier for people to attend?
• Do you have equipment for people to borrow so they can try your sport?

These points are expanded upon in the Activities and Programs page below. Another consideration is whether cultural differences create a barrier that you may not be aware of without speaking to the local community.

In Australia the bedrock of local sport participation and administration is clubs and associations. Most are traditionally run by volunteers. Yet in many countries where migrants and refugees originate from, the way sport is delivered is likely to be different. Therefore, don’t assume that newly arrived people understand that way clubs operate. People from diverse backgrounds may be uncertain about approaching a club because of fears of racism or lack of familiarity with the environment.

While the barriers mentioned above are commonly referred to in research and feedback from State Sporting Associations, each community is different and has different needs. Your organisation will benefit by getting to know your local community and consulting with community leaders. If you aim to offer opportunities to a specific group – such as newly arrive people from the same country – then try to speak to them directly so that you understand the barriers they face and the benefits they are seeking. This allows you to tailor you programs to meet their needs. Community leaders may include the leaders of local community support organisations, leaders of migrant and refugee support organisations, leaders of religious institutions, or prominent members of migrant communities.