Sports Technology

Following a landmark meeting with the Australia’s eSafety Commissioner by the nation’s major sporting codes, Netball Australia and the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) have committed to help reduce targeted online abuse of athletes.

Part of a roundtable meeting with 20 sporting codes on Wednesday involving eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to discuss online abuse in sport, Netball Australia and the ANPA joined with the other bodies to officially sign the Online Safety Statement of Commitment in response to athletes, officials and staff across sporting codes being increasingly subjected to online abuse.

Julie Inman Grant said although sport in Australia is usually a powerful community builder, online interactions with athletes are not always positive, advising “serious and harmful online abuse compounds the daily racism, misogyny and homophobia many athletes already face and can have devastating impacts on their wellbeing.

“I commend Netball Australia in coming together to work with eSafety to manage and minimise the risk of online abuse in sport.

“We all need to work together, in athletic pursuits and online, to tackle these issues.” 

Earlier this year, Netball Australia and ANPA approached eSafety to assist in this space, as the frequency of online abuse continues to increase - both in society and in sport.

Netball Australia Chief Executive, Kelly Ryan said work across this area will continue into 2022 to provide athletes, umpires, and staff with the tools to support their online safety.

Ryan explained “online abuse of athletes, umpires and staff has no place in our game and we are committed to working with eSafety to address this important issue.

“We will work with the ANPA, Suncorp Super Netball Clubs and Member Organisations to support the work of eSafety, further driving positive changes for all online.”

Related Articles

4th November 2021 - Australian sports make united commitment to tackle online abuse of athletes

4th November 2021 - National Sports Convention keynote session explores future of sport and governance in Australia

6th October 2021 - Elite swimming rocked by new sexual abuse allegations

4th October 2021 - New Zealand created bot aims to eradicate social media abuse of athletes

1st October 2021 - Netball NSW critical of Netball Australia’s ‘lack of clear protocols and processes’ over COVID fine

19th September 2021 - Senior Rugby Australia executive arrested over possession of child sexual abuse material

13th September 2021 - Department of Foreign Affairs to continue backing Netball Australia’s Pacific Women’s Sports Administration Program

11th September 2021 - Inclusive uniform policies keeping girls engaged with netball

6th September 2021 - Australian Sports Professionals Association launches 2021 National Sports Census

1st September 2021 - Sexual abuse victims urge Canberra’s Forrest Tennis Club to sign up to National Redress Scheme

9th August 2021 - Netball Australia aspires for the sport to be included in 2032 Brisbane Olympics

9th June 2021 - Former AFL club executive named new Chief Executive at Netball Australia

13th May 2021 - Endorsement of governance reforms to see merger of Netball Australia Board and Super Netball League Commission

4th May 2021 - Review reveals ‘toxic’ environment within Australian gymnastics with culture of physical, emotional and sexual abuse

2nd May 2021 - Awaiting release of Human Rights Commission’s review Australian Sports Commission launches services to support abused gymnasts

26th April 2021 - Australia wins right to host 2027 Netball World Cup

26th February 2021 - Victoria University study shows inappropriate uniforms impact desire of girls and young women to participate in sport

3rd February 2021 - Netball Australia agrees new broadcast and digital rights partnership with Foxtel

1st February 2021 - Unreleased review reveals ‘systemic racism’ at AFL’s Collingwood FC

29th September 2020 - Netball Australia announces support for Indigenous players through declaration of commitment

17th August 2020 - NRL warns of ‘strongest possible’ penalties for racial abuse by fans at Central Coast Stadium

26th June 2020 - Founder Greg Glassman sells CrossFit in aftermath of racism backlash

18th June 2020 - Netball Australia to join National Redress Scheme

15th May 2020 - Netball Australia releases guidelines for safe return to community netball

28th February 2020 - Independent review prompts Netball Australia to appoint National Wellbeing Manager

15th August 2019 - NRL Chief Executives re-enforce zero tolerance approach to racism and abuse of players

20th March 2019 - Online trolling of AFLW player Tayla Harris’ in-game image compared to sexual abuse

7th June 2019 - AFL issues ‘unreserved’ apology over racism faced by Adam Goodes

13th April 2017 - Racist abuse from fans ‘wrecking’ AFL says Adelaide star Eddie Betts