To enable greater participation by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, activities and programs should be made accessible. This means breaking down common barriers associated with equipment, costs and transport.
It also means thinking about the nature of your sport and how you can design or modify activities to make them more accessible to people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Some things you might like to consider include:
- Flexible program delivery. Consider the timing and location of programs and how making small adaptations could assist some people to participate. If you consult with the local community, you can find out if there are any cultural or religious events or activities that would take priority over sporting participation. At the same, cultural or religious festivals could provide an opportunity for your organisation to get involved and provide program demonstrations or come n try activities. Using non-traditional spaces, that are commonly used by local communities, is something that many sport organisations are doing to make their sport more accessible to everyone.
- Uniforms. In some cultures, women and girls’ dress codes are modest. A flexible uniform policy allows appropriate dress codes for multiple cultural and religious beliefs.
- Support for clubs. Many sport clubs want to increase their membership and include more people from the local community but don’t have the resources to do so. If National or State Sporting Associations can provide financial assistance or incentives, this will help clubs to take proactive steps to be more inclusive. Local councils also provide community grants which can assist in this area.
There a few common barriers to participation which people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds may face. Helping to address these barriers will make your sport more accessible and allow more people to participate.
Cost
Your organisation can help people participate by reducing costs and/or offering financial assistance where possible. This may be enabled by a grant you receive from the State Government, your local council, or your State Sporting Association or other community grant sources. It is very important to ensure you are equal in your approach. Financial assistance should be available for those who need it. A universal approach to providing financial support means there is less chance of stigmatising particular groups or individuals and ensures a greater take up of support from those who would otherwise not participate due to financial barriers. You might also consider providing variable fee structures for different activities, or staggered payments for memberships, thereby providing greater flexibility for interested participants.
Location and Transport
Consider how your organisation can offer programs and activities outside of your traditional environment or facility – especially if your sport is based within a fixed geographical location (such as football / netball clubs). Some options you could consider are:
- Running programs in local parks.
- Running programs in central locations near shopping centres, schools, community organisations or central shopping districts.
- Partnering with community organisations to provide transport for people to get to and from your club.
- Offering an accessible version of your sport, which could include existing modified programs or basic skills and introductory sessions.
There are many great examples of the work that Victorian sports clubs have done to break down barriers for people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Here are a few examples provided by the Centre for Multicultural Youth:
Tennis Victoria’s Accessible Community Equality (ACE) program During the State Sporting Association Participation Program, Tennis Victoria created the ACE program which provided funding to tennis clubs to deliver inclusive actions and initiatives to develop their culture and inclusive practices with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Tennis Victoria’s approach is to allow clubs to volunteer to participate in the program, thereby ensuring that participating clubs have the motivation to deliver successful initiatives.