Any form of violent behaviour outside the rules of a sport or recreational activity should not be condoned. Organisations need to clearly articulate their stance on violent behaviour.
Background
Sport is an integral part of life in Western Australia. As such, sport is responsible to uphold the accepted values and norms in our community.
Regrettably, there are occasions when violence, either verbal or physical, occurs in sport and recreation settings involving players, officials, administrators and spectators.
In all instances, the sporting fraternity in Western Australia condemns such behaviour and certainly supports initiatives to prevent violence. Where it does occur, it is managed responsibly. .
Violence in sport is not new and has been an issue that sporting organisations and governments in Australia have been trying to manage for many years.
Governments and sporting administration agree that violence of any form is not to be tolerated on or off the field and should be prevented where possible.
To support this policy, all sporting organisations promote the need to play the sport within the rules of the game and under the supervision of appropriately-qualified officials.
Many sporting organisations have established procedures for managing violence that occurs during an event. Such procedures begin with the manner in which officials manage the play and the way players have been briefed by their coaches. The Australian Football Tribunals and the National Rugby League Tribunals are examples of the end of the line management of violence on the field by the sporting organisations and reflect models for self-management.
Community sporting organisations also need to have procedures in place to manage and prevent violence on and off the field and to promote these procedures to their members. This lets them know that violence is not acceptable. In many organisations, this is outlined in their constitution and/or by laws.
The sporting community in Australia has taken a very proactive role in preventing and managing violence in their respective sports and this has the support of governments.
Key issues
- Some violent behaviour against players or officials has sometimes been viewed as "part of the game".
- Spectators often become so emotional about the game that they express their energy through violence. This may result in a melee on or off the field.
- Violence against another person or property is a criminal offence and punishable by law. The sports field is not immune from the law.
- In some instances, parents have been involved in violent behaviour in front of their children. This is a negative role model for children.
- Verbal abuse of players, officials, administrators and other spectators, is at times seen at sporting events and such behaviour facilitates emotions to build up and overflow into physical violence.
Prevention strategies may include:
- The promotion of fair play by players, coaches, officials, administrators and spectators.
- Penalties for the perpetrator(s) of violence.
- Adoption of a protocol to manage violent behaviour associated with sport.
- Promotion of the social benefits/value of sport.
- Development and promotion of codes of behaviours (Appendix 1).
- Promotion of accreditation and/or training for coaches, officials and key volunteers, eg sports first aid personnel, administrators.
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