Melbourne, February 27, 2026 – Basketball Victoria is excited to has announce a new statewide partnership with VicHealth aimed at tackling racism and strengthening culturally safe, inclusive and welcoming environments across community basketball.
The three and a half year funding initiative will see Basketball Victoria work alongside VicHealth through its Set the Standard campaign to embed cultural safety across all levels of basketball.
Community sport plays a vital role in physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection. However, racism and exclusion can prevent people from participating, which cuts them off from the significant health and community benefits sport provides.
Basketball Victoria’s participation data highlights both the diversity and reach of the game across the state:
- - Nearly 500,000 weekly participants
- - 2.1% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- - 7% were born overseas
- - 32% have at least one parent born overseas
Despite this reach, challenges remain.
In 2022, only 24.5% of Victorians aged 15+ met recommended physical activity guidelines. Physical inactivity costs the Australian health system $2.4 billion annually.
Research also shows that in 2024:
- - 56% of surveyed participants experienced or witnessed racism in community sport
- - 20% reduced their participation as a result
- - 63% of clubs reported insufficient volunteers to operate effectively
These figures underline the urgency of creating safer and more inclusive sporting environments.
Building lasting change
Through the partnership, Basketball Victoria will lead a statewide cultural safety initiative focused on:
- - Building leadership capability
- - Strengthening club policies and governance
- - Equipping coaches and administrators with practical tools
- - Embedding long-term frameworks for inclusion
The campaign will focus on support for coaches, assistant coaches, club committees and administrators, those who shape day-to-day experiences within community sport. Sheena Atkin, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Basketball Victoria, said basketball has a unique ability to unite communities, “Basketball has the power to bring people together like few other sports can. Through this partnership, we’re working to create meaningful and lasting change, ensuring every player, coach, referee and supporter feels safe, respected and proud to be part of our game, no matter their background or identity.”
Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey said the organisation is committed to leading from the front, “We’re committed to making basketball a space where everyone belongs. This partnership is an important step in building the knowledge, leadership and frameworks needed to ensure our sport reflects the diversity of our community and provides opportunities for all Victorians to thrive.”
Statewide commitment
The Set the Standard initiative aligns with the Victorian Government’s Anti-Racism Pledge, signed by several State Sporting Associations including Basketball Victoria, AFL Victoria, Cricket Victoria, Football Victoria, Netball Victoria, Tennis Victoria and NRL Victoria.
VicHealth’s Set the Standard campaign provides free, evidence-backed resources including anti-racism training, practical response tools, peer learning opportunities and leadership development to help clubs create safer, more welcoming environments.
Basketball Victoria’s long-term vision is to ensure cultural safety is embedded at every level of our sport, so every Victorian, regardless of background, can experience the joy, connection and community that basketball brings.
For more information about Set The Standard, click below.
Photo credit: VicHealth
