Coaches - What to do now

As a coach you are responsible for supporting players, identifying inappropriate behaviours and taking action against inappropriate behaviour in your team.

If you have a Member Protection policy and witness racist behaviour

• Do not ignore it!
• Talk to the player(s) concerned and explain that racist language is unacceptable and a breach of your sport’s Code of Behaviour. You may need to issue a warning or take more formal action depending on the nature of the abuse and your sport’s policies and rules.
• Support the person who is being racially harassed and assure them that such behaviour is unacceptable. Refer them to your sport’s Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) so they can consider what action to take.
• Remind all team members about your club’s Code of Behaviour and refer them to the Member Protection Policy. Explain that racist behaviour is not only a breach of your sport’s policies, it is also against the law.
• Inform your committee so they can keep a record of the incident.
• Monitor the situation and take further action in accordance with your sports policies on racism.

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If someone complains to you about being racially harassed by another player

• Listen carefully to the person’s concerns. Let them know that racial harassment of any form is not acceptable and that they are right to complain.
• Explain that they can also discuss their concerns with the sport’s Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO), if you have one.  
• Ask what they want done. You or an MPIO should explain how your sport deals with racism complaints. They may want you to try and resolve the matter by talking with the player(s) who are alleged to have racially harassed the person.
• Be aware that racial harassment is a serious issue, it may require more formal action by your club, the involvement of your state sporting organisation (e.g., if an investigation is required) or could be referred to an anti-discrimination agency.
• Provide support to the person complaining and protect them against victimisation.
• Reinforce Codes of Behaviour and Member Protection or other welfare policies with all team members stressing that racism has no place in your sport and that action will be taken over any breach of behaviour.
• Monitor the situation.

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If someone alleges that you are being racist

• Reflect on your behaviour.  Can you identify anything you have said or done that would cause someone to think this way?  Might you have inadvertently given offence?  If so, take the first opportunity to apologise.
• Consider reviewing team selection decisions if there are concerns the process was racist. 
• Co-operate in any inquiry into the incident.
• Do not harass or threaten the person who has complained about you.

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