On the 22nd of January 2025, the Diversity & Inclusion in Sport Alliance (DISA) held an Annual Forum on the topic of belonging in sport. Coming together from diverse backgrounds and experiences, the input from each speaker provided a multifaceted lens on the growth, barriers, learnings, and future directions for how sport can use belonging as a framework for greater inclusion of Australia’s diverse communities.
From the CEO breakfast to the many engaging discussions and Q&As, the enthusiasm in the room was obvious. The forum started with a welcoming address that underscored the progress made in creating more inclusive sporting environments while acknowledging the work still to be done. A strong theme throughout the day was the role of sport in breaking down barriers and amplifying diverse voices.
Key Insights and Conversations
The panel discussions and speaker sessions sparked deep reflection and important conversations. Speakers spoke on the need for genuine inclusion, where diverse athletes, coaches, and administrators are not just present but actively shaping the sporting landscape. A key takeaway was that cultural safety and genuine inclusion must be built into the foundations of sporting organisations, not treated as an add-on. Some highlights from the day include:
Kieren Perkins (CEO, Australian Sports Commission): “The biggest difference comes in making a difference in the first 60 seconds of an incident. You can’t find inclusion without finding ways to eliminate exclusion.”
Craig Tiley (CEO, Tennis Australia): “DE&I is not something we do, it’s something we are. We have researchers and advocates, but what is most important is the action that we take.”
Rana Hussain (Thought Leader in Leadership, Culture, Belonging and Inclusion): “Sport should be our last great unifier. Belonging takes work, intentionality, and courage. In a world that feels like it’s breaking, sport can be the force that helps it rebuild. But we have to do the work.”
Professor Karen Farquharson (Professor of Sociology, University of Melbourne): “There needs to be some maturity in diversity. In Australia, it’s almost worse to call someone a racist than be a racist.”
Dr. Ryan Storr (The Diversity Storr & Research Fellow at the Sport Innovation Research Group, Swinburne University): “In the sports sector’s pursuit of inclusion, we have forgotten about the reason why people don’t play sport—discrimination.”
Joel Wilkinson (True Impact Policy, Cultural and Athlete Advisor): “Just give us an opportunity to do our work.”
Mitch Gourley (Paralympian & General Manager for Sport4All at Get Skilled Access): “Local sporting clubs embraced me and gave me opportunities. They create spaces that are more than just playing, it’s about belonging.”
Mitch Nivalis (Photographer, Filmmaker, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant): “I’ve never seen anyone actively welcoming me [a poster that was gender inclusive] and it changed my whole life.”
Jade Narkle (Aboriginal & Diversity Programs Specialist, West Australian Football Commission): “Bring First Nations cultures into the conversation. Have the conversations, don’t assume, listen and show empathy.”
Elle Steele PLY (Athlete, award-winning Disability Consultant and Inspiration Speaker): “Living with a disability is one of the greatest things of my life, I wouldn’t change my body. It’s okay to not understand what it’s like to be in a wheelchair. But it’s not okay to be so fearful of something that you’re not brave enough to ask the question. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to not know the answer to things and put yourself in the learning space.”
Maria Dimopoulos (Principal Consultant at Myriad Kofkin Global): “Complexity is what needs to be celebrated when it comes to inclusion.”
Rick Baldwin (CEO Koorie Academy Basketball): “We have too many peak sporting organisations making decisions for us when they haven’t walked in our shoes. One size shoe doesn’t fit all. When we can listen and share with each other, the outcomes will come.”
Bianca Broadhurst OLY (ASC Executive GM Diversity, People & Culture): “It’s not about us and them, it’s about the ‘we’ problems that we need to solve.”
Launch of the Australian Sports Commission Roadmap
During the Forum, the Australian Sports Commission launched their world-leading roadmap, an all-inclusive approach to governance and leadership in Australian sport. The roadmap encourages sports to create inclusive and safer environments, ensure more equitable access, and facilitate opportunities and welcoming experiences for all, while also describing how systems can be designed to support the intersectionality of different identities. Learn more
DISA Communities of Practice
We also announced the launch of the DISA Communities of Practice (CoP) – a unique opportunity to empower individuals and organisations with the skills, confidence and connections to make sport more equitable and inclusive. The CoP provides tools and insights to help you design, deliver, and evaluate impactful, inclusive programs. You will gain a deeper understanding of intersectionality to address the unique barriers that underrepresented communities face in accessing and participating in sport. Learn more
Acknowledgments
A heartfelt thank you to the Diversity & Inclusion in Sport Alliance (DISA) which includes: CMSport, Play by the Rules, Pride in Sport, Australian Sport Commission, Victoria University, Monash University, Tennis Australia, Queensland Government, NSW Government Office of Sport, Sport West and VicHealth.
A special thanks to Aunty Joy and Uncle Colin for a very special Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Experiencing this ceremony by Birrarung Ma made the moment feel particularly significant.
The momentum generated at the 2025 DISA Forum just proves the collective commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in sport. As we move forward, it is clear that collaboration, accountability, and continued learning will be key to driving social change.
A huge thank you to all speakers, panelists, and attendees for their invaluable contributions. We look forward to continuing these conversations and seeing the impact of this forum translate into action across the sporting community.
Photos by Harjono Djoyobisono