Administrators - What to do now

Administrators are responsible for organising competitions in accordance with their sport’s rules, the needs of members and anti-discrimination legislation.

• Avoid making a decision immediately. Get advice and guidance from:
  • your state or national sporting organisation. (They may have a policy and guidelines on this issue)
  • your state or territory anti-discrimination agency for free confidential advice
  • Sports Medicine Australia for information on risks and physiology
• Keep an open mind and have a “can do” attitude.
• Treat each request on its merits and consider:,
  • the nature of the sport
  • the position played
  • the individual’s characteristics i.e. age, skill level and physiology
  • whether there are any other options for participation
  • the level of team support
  • whether concerns about safety can be managed (this should apply equally to boys and girls)     
  • any other circumstances surrounding the request.
• Be inclusive if possible. If not the reasons should relate to the safety of the girl and not to personal attitudes and stereotypes about girls’ involvement in your sport.
• Understand that a complaint could be lodged at an anti-discrimination agency. If the complaint meets the requirements of the law, the anti-discrimination agency will try to bring the parties together to resolve the matter. If conciliation can’t be achieved the complaint may go to a tribunal, in which case it will be an open and public process.