26th June 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
Basketball Victoria has joined six other major Victorian sports in supporting a new statewide anti-racism campaign, Racism Doesn’t Belong In Our Game, launched by the Victorian Government.
Melbourne, VICTORIA - Basketball Victoria has joined six other major Victorian sports to support Racism Doesn't Belong In Our Game, a new statewide anti-racism campaign launched by the Victorian Government.
The campaign was launched by the Hon. Ros Spence, Minister for Community Sport, at the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation in Footscray.
Delivered by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) and its CMSport initiative, in partnership with AFL Victoria, Basketball Victoria, Cricket Victoria, Football Victoria, Netball Victoria, NRL Victoria and Tennis Victoria, alongside VACSAL, Vicsport and VicHealth, the campaign is designed to increase awareness of racism in community sport and its impact on First Nations and multicultural communities.
It supports clubs, associations and sporting communities to recognise, call out and actively prevent racism, helping create safer, more welcoming and inclusive environments where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.
The campaign builds on the landmark Anti-Racism Pledge signed by the seven state sporting associations in 2025 and marks the next step in the sector's shared commitment to addressing racism across community sport.
For Basketball Victoria, the campaign reinforces the organisation's commitment to creating safe, inclusive and welcoming environments across every level of the game.
Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey said the campaign highlights the important role everyone plays in ensuring basketball remains a place where people feel safe, respected and valued.
“Basketball is one of the most diverse sports in Victoria, and with that comes a responsibility to ensure our courts, clubs and associations are places where everyone feels they belong,” Honey said.
“Racism has no place in basketball, or in any sport. This campaign is an important reminder that creating safe and inclusive environments requires action from all of us, from players and coaches to parents, volunteers, officials and spectators.
“Basketball Victoria is proud to stand alongside the other major sporting bodies in Victoria to support this campaign and continue building a sport that reflects the best of our community.”
The campaign centres the lived experiences of players, coaches, club leaders and parents from across the seven partner sports through a powerful video series, highlighting the real and lasting impact racism can have beyond the game.
Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO of CMY and CMSport said: “The strength of this campaign lies in the collective commitment of major sporting bodies in Victoria to work together to acknowledge and address racism in community sport.”
“Community sport should be a space where everyone feels safe, and has a sense of belonging. But when racism happens in community sport, the impacts are felt long after the game is over.”
CMY is proud to collaborate with First Nations partner VACSAL to ensure cultural safety and self-determination are at the heart of the campaign.
Aunty Linda Bamblett, CEO of VACSAL, said on the launch: “Addressing racism is everyone’s responsibility. To bring about significant change and make sports free of racial discrimination it is ALL our moral and ethical obligation to call it out when you witness it.”
“It is not enough to be a passive bystander – you need to get involved by making a conscious decision to be a warrior in the fight against racism."
Basketball Victoria encourages all affiliated associations and clubs to support the campaign by downloading the free posters, social media tiles and campaign toolkit, and sharing them throughout their basketball communities.
Whether displayed in venues, shared across digital channels or incorporated into club communications, these resources help reinforce the message that racism has no place in our game and that everyone deserves to feel welcome, safe and respected.
Download the campaign resources via Basketball Victoria's Photoshelter platform by clicking here.
-Ends-
For Media Enquiries:
Maree DeGeorge
Basketball Victoria
Media & Communications Specialist
maree.degeorge@basketballvictoria.com.au
0499 851 266
