Behaviour within sport can be discriminatory or harassing, as many of us have experienced or witnessed.

Although voluntary sporting groups are not covered by NSW Anti-Discrimination Act, many have decided that they do not want discriminatory or harassing behaviour within the code. Many sporting codes view harassment and discrimination as unacceptable behaviour and not at all reflective of what sport is about - that is teamship.

Recently, a national conference of governmental equal opportunity bodies and sporting bodies met to further promote Play by the Rules. The South Australian Equal Opportunity Commission and the South Australian Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing has written and developed this excellent program to assist various sporting codes to educate coaches and players. It provides information and online learning on Equal Opportunity and other relevant legislation to address inappropriate behaviour in sport. It compliments the Australian Sports Commission’s harassment free Sport strategy. It encourages people to see that everyone needs to feel safe and to act fairly and respectfully towards each other.

The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation also has information about appropriate behaviour, including a report on the conference held on Sportrage.