The Canberra Capitals have joined the fight to stamp out racism in sport, inviting an under 14s girls team to their first WNBL game of the season after they were subjected to alleged slurs.
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An Indigenous basketball club has called for tougher and swifter penalties after players were reported on-court abuse directed at 12-year-old girls.
The Winnunga Warriors were playing in the under 14s basketball competition on Sunday when members of the opposing side allegedly used a racial slur to refer to some of the team members.
Warriors president and 2018 ACT Australian of the Year Dion Devow said he was angry and heartbroken by the incident which hit close to home, as his daughter Sienna was on the team.
The Capitals joined threw their support behind the Warriors on Thursday night, posting a message to Sienna and her teammates on social media saying "racism has no place in our world".
The Capitals have invited the Warriors players to their first game in November. Three-time WNBL champion and Capitals co-captain Marianna Tolo said: "I've read about your story and I'm so sorry you have experienced racism in your latest game. It's unacceptable and basketball should be a sport of inclusiveness. It should be a place where you go to shoot hoops and have fun."
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It's the second time in less than a year Basketball ACT has been forced to deal with on-court racism issues after the Warriors raised concerns last year.
Basketball ACT staff and referees were forced to undergo awareness training after the incident.
Basketball ACT is investigating the most recent incident, but the organisation has not said what punishment options are available.
"We were marching in the street a couple of weeks ago for Black Lives Matter and four weeks later these kids are experiencing racism," Mr Devow said.
Mr Devow said this was not an isolated incident for the club which promotes reconciliation and diversity.
"It's come to a point now where we've tried the appropriate procedures and protocols ... incidents continue to happen," he said.
Basketball ACT confirmed it had received a complaint.
"Basketball ACT has been in close contact with both of the clubs involved and will continue to work closely with them as we work through the investigation process," said BACT chief executive David Simpson.
Mr Devow called for the alleged perpetrators to be suspended from play while the investigation ran its course.
"Investigation needs to come about with proper consultation, education and implementation of strict rules that enforce this type of behaviour, because clearly it's not happening," he said.
"People need to know there are ramifications around that. Things need to happen quicker and be more severe so people will be less likely to do these types of things.
"They need to know racism in sport and saying things like that is actually unlawful and there can be serious consequences."
He said clubs needed to play a role in educating themselves and players to prevent racism in basketball.
"We're happy as an indigenous club to do our part but it shouldn't be left up to us," he said.
"There still needs to be a lot of education and it has to come down to the different codes taking more of an active role in enforcing these rules so that the behaviours are policed and monitored."
Sienna Devow and her teammates will return to the court this weekend.
Mr Devow said the girls had been rattled by the incident but were resilient and looking forward to continuing the season.
"It's given them a bit of courage and a bit of education for themselves about what racism actually is and how is the best way to combat it."
Mr Devow called for the alleged perpetrators to be suspended from play while the investigation ran its course.
"Investigation needs to come about with proper consultation, education and implementation of strict rules that enforce this type of behaviour, because clearly it's not happening," he said.
"People need to know there are ramifications around that. Things need to happen quicker and be more severe so people will be less likely to do these types of things.
"They need to know racism in sport and saying things like that is actually unlawful and there can be serious consequences."
He said clubs needed to play a role in educating themselves and players to prevent racism in basketball.
"We're happy as an indigenous club to do our part but it shouldn't be left up to us," he said.
"There still needs to be a lot of education and it has to come down to the different codes taking more of an active role in enforcing these rules so that the behaviours are policed and monitored."
Sienna Devow and her teammates will return to the court this weekend.
Mr Devow said the girls had been rattled by the incident but were resilient and looking forward to continuing the season.
"It's given them a bit of courage and a bit of education for themselves about what racism actually is and how is the best way to combat it."