Approximately 47% of children aged 0-14 and 54% of young people aged 15-24 in Australia participate in sport-related activity at least once a week.
Community sports are a fantastic way for our kids to stay active and build friendships, but unfortunately, not every child feels safe in these environments.
Recent research sheds light on a troubling issue: bullying in sports is becoming alarmingly common among young people in Australia. This calls for immediate action to create safer, more supportive spaces where all our youth can thrive and enjoy the benefits of being active.
Prevalence of bullying in sports
A research in 2022 by The Conversation found that 82% of 886 survey respondents experienced violence while playing community sport as a child in Australia.
One of the most concerning aspects of bullying in youth sports is that many victims do not report their experiences. A world-first study by Victoria University (VU) shows:
- Less than half of those who experienced any type of violence ever disclosed it to an adult.
- Only one in three children who faced bullying from peers chose to talk to someone about it.
- Boys were less likely to disclose peer violence, while girls often hesitated to speak to someone within their sports club.
These low reporting rates highlight the need for better support systems and reporting mechanisms within sports organisations.
Matthew, a survey participant said the bullying behaviours were so widespread that ‘…it’s [violence] a cultural thing in the sport. You just learn to live with it, ignore it’.
What does it look like?
Bullying in sports can take many forms:
- Verbal: Insults, name-calling, and derogatory comments about an athlete’s performance or appearance.
- Physical: Any form of physical intimidation or harm, such as pushing, hitting, or unwanted physical contact during games or training.
- Emotional and Social: Exclusion from teams or activities, spreading rumours, or manipulating social relationships.
Some examples of bullying can include:
- Ganging up on an individual team member
- Mocking or berating teammates when they make a mistake during the game
- Intimidating skilled players to eliminate competition for top position
- Hazing or bullying new team members to "prove their worth"
- Targeting players who receive more praise or attention from coaches
- Threatening teammates who perform well, fearing they might "steal the spotlight"
- Singling out and criticising underperforming team members
Signs your child is being bullied on the field
- They no longer want to participate in their favourite sport
- They don't want to see their friends or a particular friend
- They complain about headaches, stomach aches and other physical problems.
How to manage bullying in sports
Have regular conversations with your children. Don’t ask if they are being bullied. Instead, ask if they enjoy being on the team, whether they have ever seen someone on the team being bullied or teased. Listen to them and teach them how to defend themselves.
Bullying in sports can happen on both school and community teams. It’s essential to teach our children about fair play from an early age; otherwise, competitive behaviour can quickly escalate into bullying. Coaches should focus on developing character alongside athletic skills, ensuring that children have a positive and enjoyable competitive experience.
Resources for parents, carers and communities
Sport Integrity Australia can receive complaints and investigate threats to sport integrity in relation to bullying, intimidation, discrimination or harassment where the conduct is linked to a ‘protected attribute’ including age, race, disability, sex or religion.
eSafety Commissioner has recently introduced The Sports Hub - an online platform that offers tailored resources aimed at ensuring online safety for individuals within the sports community. They include how to recognise and deal with online abuse in sport, and online safety for competitors, volunteers, coaches and parents.
Dolly's Dream Sports Club program equips grassroots community sports clubs with resources and a values-based framework to educate their players and members about preventing bullying and cyberbullying and the importance of being kind.
If you are concerned about a child or young person being bullied, please seek help. Speak to a trusted GP, school wellbeing staff, or a helpline such as:
Dolly’s Dream Support Line 0488 881 033
Parentline in your state or territory
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Headspace 1800 650 890
Lifeline 13 11 14
