Coaches - What to do now

As a coach you are responsible for the safety and welfare of the players in your care. Club and community members look to you to set the standard for others, particularly young people. This means that you need to create an environment free from sexuality discrimination, harassment and homophobia and model the behaviours that you expect from others.

If you have a player in your team who is being harassed because of their sexuality

• Treat the situation sensitively. If you feel uncomfortable about the players sexuality don’t let this affect your behaviour towards the individual or how you respond to their concerns.
• Recognise and respond to negative behaviours. Stop any comments or actions that are discriminatory (e.g., taunting, ridiculing, bullying). Hoping the matter will stop or ‘sort itself out’ is not an option.  If you fail to take action, you’re condoning the behaviour – behaviour that is likely to get worse.
• Don’t ask personal and irrelevant questions about the player’s private life and do not disclose personal information about the player’s sexuality without their consent.
• Don’t insist that the player keep their sexuality a secret or modify their behaviour to make other people feel comfortable.
• Don’t treat them any differently from other team members.
• Address any inappropriate team behaviours and/or sexuality issues, with the player’s consent. Use an expert facilitator if necessary.
• Monitor the situation and let the person know that further action can be taken if the inappropriate behaviour towards them doesn’t stop.  Give them the contact details of your sports Member Protection Information Officer.

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If you feel uncomfortable with a player’s sexuality

• Recognise that this isn’t the player’s problem. They shouldn’t be expected to hide their sexuality or change their behaviour (e.g.,by ceasing to mention their partner or changing their appearance) because their sexuality worries you.
• Identify why you feel uncomfortable with their sexuality.  Is it because of:
  • your own beliefs and values
  • myths and stereotypes
  • uncertainties about your own sexuality?
• Maintain confidentiality - don’t talk about the player’s sexuality with others.
• You may find it useful to contact the Australian Human Rights Commission or your state or territory anti-discrimination agency for factual information.

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