Creating an Inclusive Club - Netball NSW

Creating an Inclusive Club
As part of the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 Legacy Program Netball NSW has developed a suite of factsheets
to support Associations and Clubs in the delivery of their legacy plans post Netball World Cup. These factsheets
compliment the resources developed by Netball Australia and Netball World Cup to increase participation and
exposure following the Netball World Cup Sydney 2015. Information in this factsheet is drawn from Netball
Australia’s ‘Connected Clubs & Communities’ Workshop content, which is an educational initiative of the
Australia Post One Netball program. Go to onenetball.org.au to find out more.
WHAT IS INCLUSION
The Australian Sports Commission describes inclusion as: ‘Providing a range of options to cater for people of all
ages, abilities and backgrounds, in the most appropriate manner possible’. In essence, inclusion refers to
proactive behaviours that make each person feel welcome and a part of an organisation.
OUR COMMUNITY
Australia’s population is changing in size and diversity, as are the
communities in which netball operates. The latest ABS Census (2011) shows
that seven million Australian children and young people aged 5-24 years (or
50% of this age group had no minimal involvement with organised sport.
Inclusion is about ensuring that sport caters for the range of backgrounds, cultures, ages and abilities in
the community who may wish to participate in various activities or roles in a club.
Ensuring that your sporting environment is safe and non-discriminatory also matters because it is the law. Laws exist in
every state and territory in Australia making discrimination and harassment in relation to a person’s gender, sexuality,
disability, race, colour, national and ethnic origin, descent, ethnic or ethno-religious background unlawful in all areas of life,
including sport. Netball Australia and Netball NSW also have a range of member protection policies and codes of behaviour
that apply to all members and volunteers.
BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION
A range of barriers has been identified which prevent certain groups from having equal access and/or participating
in netball. These include:
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Negative attitudes towards new members who join a club.
Little cultural diversity in players, elite representatives, coaches.
Transport issues (lack of accessible and safe transport to venues).
Language barriers to approach and become involved in the sport.
Lack of knowledge or understanding of the sport and/or club structures.
Cultural and religious differences and expectations.
Timetabling of activities and competitions (late at night may not be the best time to attract certain groups).
Limited opportunities to transition from NetSetGO or school netball to clubs.
Limited ‘Come and Try’ days to learn more about the game.
Cumulative costs of registration fees, uniforms and equipment.
Inflexibility of uniform requirements (to allow head scarves etc. as required).
Inflexibility of the traditional model of how netball is played.
An emphasis on winning and competition has increasingly been found to be in conflict with attitudes towards
inclusiveness and community engagement.
Netball NSW Planning Toolkit – for NWC2015 Legacy
Creating an Inclusive Club
ASSOCIATION/CLUB BENEFITS
Being welcoming and inclusive, and trying to proactively encourage diversity is what’s perceived as core business in
sport now. Most sporting organisations and clubs are looking to develop a safe, fair and inclusive culture, whose
membership is a reflection of the community in which they operate. There are many benefits for netball clubs and
associations to include a broad range of people, these include:
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Increasing membership – which can add to the financial stability of a club.
More players – which can add new levels of competition.
More volunteers – from a wider network of community family and friends, adding to the richness and
diversity of the environment.
More expertise in officiating, coaching and/or administration.
Greater social benefits of forming and maintaining new relationships and bonds.
Closer engagement with the wider community and businesses (and potential sponsors).
Good, positive stories to share with the local media.
A fresher, more vibrant organisation – with new people come new ideas, innovation, flexibility and
creativity.
TAKE AWAY ACTIVITIES – BEST PRACTICE
Register your interest to have a free Connected Clubs & Communities Workshop delivered to your
Club or Association, to learn more about creating a more inclusive netball environment.
Join the Australia Post One Netball community online to see what other clubs are doing.
Enter the Australia Post One Netball Community Awards.
Encourage members to do the Play by the Rules online training course.
Download the Play by the Rules netball ‘Respect’ poster and display at your club.
Join the ‘Racism. It Stops with Me’ campaign and display the poster at your club.
Assess your club premises and facilities and see if any physical access issues need to be addressed.
Sign up to the ‘You can Play’ anti-homophobia campaign.
Review and promote your inclusion and member protection policies (have a look at the Netball
NSW Member Protection Policy).
Put together a list of community organisations and groups that you could partner with and seek
contacts.
Identify and hold events that celebrate diversity in all its forms, including: Harmony Day, NAIDOC
Week, White Ribbon Day, National Hearing Week and International Day of People With A Disability.
Hold a ‘Come and Try’ Netball clinic for new communities (see Come and Try Day factsheet).
Arrange for an Australia Post One Netball Ambassador to speak at your club.
Promote One Netball via your club website.
Promote your inclusion activities via social media (share your stories/videos).
Write a story on your inclusion activities and submit it to the Sports Editor at your local newspaper
or radio station.
Visit local schools, migrant resource centres and youth centres to promote your club in the lead up
to your registration period.
Netball NSW Planning Toolkit – for NWC2015 Legacy