Culture and environment

It is important that your sport organisation develops a culture and environment that shows females are welcomed, valued, and respected. There are many actions your organisation can take in order to increase women and girls participation in sport.


Sport Organisations can set a positive culture that welcomes women and girls through a mission statement, for example:

  • Example 1: (sport organisation) is committed to creating healthy sporting environments that are safe, accessible, inclusive and equitable. This commitment involves a focused approach to actively encourage and support the participation of women and girls in all aspects of our sport.
  • Example 2: (sport organisation) aims to provide an opportunity for everyone to participate in(sport)regardless of their gender. The (sport organisation) will strive to provide a healthy, safe, inclusive and accessible environment to ensure all people can fully participate in any aspect of the (sport). This participation includes playing, coaching, officiating, administering and supporting (sport) in a paid or voluntary capacity.

Clear boundaries need to be set around acceptable attitudes and behaviours. A successful sport rejects discrimination, harassment and bullying towards everyone. To improve the presence and participation of women and girls in your sport it is important to take steps to address sex discrimination and sexual harassment. Not only is this against the law but it creates a toxic culture that discourages female involvement.

Codes of conduct and other policies addressing inappropriate behaviour and unfair decision making must be in place, communicated and enforced by leaders throughout the organisation. In Victoria, it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their sex or characteristics associated with their sex, such as carer responsibilities, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In Victoria, it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their sex or characteristics associated with their sex, such as carer responsibilities, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although men can experience sex discrimination, women are more likely to experience it. This is because women are more likely to care for children or other family members, and because they may become pregnant or need to breastfeed a child.

Visit the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for more information on sex discrimination.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual behaviour, which could be expected to make a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or written. It can include:

  • Comments about a person’s private life or the way they look.
  • Sexually suggestive behaviour, such as leering or staring.
  • Brushing up against someone, touching, fondling or hugging.
  • Sexually suggestive comments or jokes.
  • Displaying offensive screen savers, photos, calendars or objects.
  • Repeated requests to go out.
  • Requests for sex.
  • Sexually explicit emails, text messages or posts on social networking sites.

Sexual harassment is against the law and some types of sexual harassment can also be a criminal offence. These include indecent exposure, stalking and sexual assault, as well as obscene or threatening phone calls, letters, emails, text messages and posts on social networking sites.

A single incident is enough to constitute sexual harassment – it doesn’t have to be repeated.

Visit the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for more information on sexual harassment

Sporting organisations can take practical steps to help their environment become welcoming to women and girls. They can:

  • Review their constitution, membership rules and policies to remove discriminatory clauses or sexist language and protect the rights and representations of their members, regardless of gender.
  • Make sure women can participate by scheduling meetings at a time convenient for parents and care givers. Provide child-care if possible.
  • Consider role-sharing so more women can participate in volunteer positions.
  • Ensure females get equal access to resources. For example, check that it isn’t just women who are made to use equipment/grounds that are run down or poorly maintained.
  • Schedule women’s matches at times that are ‘popular’ or ‘prime time’ to encourage support. Some clubs may schedule women’s matches at times that are less popular because men’s matches are considered more ‘important’.
  • Remember that harassment can also be subtle, for example, referring to poor on field performance as ‘playing like a girl’. Such statements reinforce negative stereotypes and discourage women and girls to participate.

Evaluation of the Healthy Sporting Environments program found that 41% of sport clubs don’t provide any information to support women and girls who are victims of violence. Some resources to help guide your sport in promoting a positive culture include: