31st August 2026
Author: Maree DeGeorge
Following anti-racism training for Basketball Victoria staff on 8 August, affiliated coaches and club leaders are being encouraged to take the next step and help build culturally safer basketball environments.
Melbourne, VICTORIA – Basketball Victoria staff completed a 90-minute Set the Standard anti-racism training session on 8 August, strengthening their ability to recognise racism, respond in the moment and support those affected.
Delivered in partnership with VicHealth, and led by Jamal Elsheikh from Reflect Forward, the training equips leaders and coaches with the knowledge and practical tools to recognise racism, understand its impact and respond effectively. Reflect Forward brings together the racism education work of One Love Australia and the Australian sports industry, with the session focusing on best-practice action in the seconds and minutes immediately following an incident.
Participants explored the impact racism can have on participation, performance, wellbeing and belonging. The session highlighted that 20% of people who experience racism decrease their participation in sport, while a lack of support and connection from teammates following an incident is linked to a drop in performance. Health consequences can include stress, anxiety, depression, loss of trust, ongoing fear of verbal or physical attack, headaches, muscle tension, trembling and an increased heart rate.
The training also explores how clubs can help prevent racism by setting clear expectations for behaviour, ensuring diverse communities are represented in leadership and decision-making, creating welcoming environments, recognising significant cultural events and making anti-racism part of regular club conversations.
The session introduces an immediate-response toolkit, with practical options to pause and de-escalate a situation, question or rephrase an unacceptable comment, provide accurate information, challenge behaviour directly or indirectly and withdraw when safety is at risk.
Basketball Victoria will apply the learnings from the session across its own work, while supporting associations and clubs to strengthen culturally safe practices throughout the basketball community.
Basketball Victoria Multicultural Diversity and Inclusion Officer Nya Lok said the training gives basketball leaders strategies they can apply throughout their organisations.
“Creating culturally safe basketball environments takes more than simply saying racism is not acceptable; it requires leaders who are prepared and confident to act,” Lok said.
“This training gives associations and clubs practical tools to recognise racism, respond in the moment and support those affected.
“By taking part, associations are showing their communities that inclusion, respect and accountability are part of the standard they expect every day.”
One association already putting these principles into practice is Wyndham Basketball Association, which became the first Basketball Victoria member association to complete the training in July. Its Executive Committee, staff and supervisors participated in the session.
Wyndham Basketball President Nicole Casaccio said the association recognised the important role its leaders play in creating a safe and welcoming environment.
“Wyndham Basketball is made up of people from various backgrounds, cultures and ages. We recognise and acknowledge the importance our Executive Committee members, staff and supervisors play in leading in this space, Casaccio said.
Wyndham Basketball General Manager Jason Kelly said setting the standard required consistent action across the basketball community.
“Set the Standard is more than just a campaign; it’s the culture we create within not just our basketball community, but the Wyndham community at large,” Kelly said.
“We want people to participate in basketball and feel safe, supported and, most importantly, feel they belong.”
By investing in anti-racism education, associations can strengthen their capacity to prevent harm, support community members and ensure everyone feels they belong.
Together, we can build culturally safer clubs and reinforce the message that racism has no place in our sport and basketball is everyone’s game.
The session marked the first step in a wider rollout, with the free 90-minute training now available to coaches and club leaders affiliated with Basketball Victoria. Places are limited.
Take Action and register your association for Set the Standard training.
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