Game On! Promoting cultural diversity in sport
Know The Game was in Melbourne last week to participate in 'Game On!' an initiative of the Australian Sports Commission and Relationship Australia (Victoria) to promote cultural diversity in sport. This initiative brought together sports clubs and community representatives to discuss the challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in accessing sport at a grass-roots level.
Led by the AFL, Melbourne Heart and African Resource Centre Inc., presentations reflected on the role of elite sport in the community, the initiatives currently in place to make sport accessible, the importance of family strengthening and the Soccer for Social Inclusion Project.
Dr Andrew Bickerdike, CEO of Relationships Australia (Victoria) told the forum that sport "is a common language" and "you learn a lot about Australian culture by participating in sport". He added "sport is like a fabric that links community together". His views were reinforced by Sue Crow, General Manager - Community for the Melbourne Heart who said "sport is such an important part of Australian life. Participating in sport reduces isolation by meeting people and making friends". Sue explained that the Melbourne Heart genuinely believes "we need to be inclusive and embrace diversity" and "whatever we do must be meaningful" which is intricately linked to their two core values of authenticity and community. Sue said "sports clubs provide opportunities for access, education, integration, to meet new people, to inspire and to promote important messages about [topics such as] a healthier lifestyle".
At a grass roots level, Sports Without Borders' Executive Chair, James Demetriou highlighted the three most significant barriers for access to and involvement in sport is fees, travel and equipment. The "cost is prohibitive" which is why Sports Without Borders receive requests for financial support amounting to around $600,000 each year.
The ideas put forward by participants to promote cultural diversity in sport was many and varied. The ability to create and fund structured programs that are sustainable and able to create pathways for continued participation in sport was widely viewed as a positive mechanism for progress. Community leadership and mentoring was seen as critical, along with education around the cultural barriers which impact on participation.
The Australian Sports Commission and Relationship Australia (Victoria) will be looking more closely at how to best involve the forum participants in upcoming projects in 2011. It will be exciting to see how this evolves.
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