Basketball ACT has moved to roll out cultural awareness training with its member clubs in response to several recent allegations of on-court racial slurs throughout its local leagues.
The Canberra Times has been made aware of two fresh racial incidents following the Winnunga Warriors' initial complaint in July. One involves an under-14's boy of Indian descent, and the other came in the Premier League 2 involving a man of Sudanese descent.
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Neither incident was officially reported to Basketball ACT, although the latter was treated as an internal club matter.
It's understood a player of Sudanese descent was subject to a racial slur by one of his teammates at training and the Premier League 2 club suspended the abuser for three weeks.
Basketball ACT was made aware of the complaint and reviewed the club's disciplinary process, deeming the penalty appropriate.
The Basketball ACT board has endorsed the roll out of cultural awareness training and will hold a video conference with club presidents in regards to the matter next week.
It comes more than a month after the Winnunga Warriors, a local Indigenous club, reported on-court racial abuse directed at 12-year-old girls.
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The Warriors filed a complaint to Basketball ACT after some of its players were subject to racial slurs in an under-14's game on July 26.
Basketball ACT was meant to release a joint statement with the clubs involved, but after nearly four weeks that has not emerged due to the ongoing investigation.
Club president Dion Devow, whose daughter is part of Warriors' under-14's team, has called on Basketball ACT to take swifter action and implement a zero tolerance policy.
"I hope this goes towards making a difference and [Basketball ACT] doing things in an expedited manner. I won't be muzzled," Devow said.
"I was hoping that statement was going to be released by now. We're talking three weeks maybe, what are they doing?
"I'd really like to see that statement. I'd like to see what Basketball ACT is going to put out with respect to what they're doing, what they're going to do and when they're going to do it.
"I want to see action around that. There needs to be action not just words, we really need to see some change."
It's understood the joint statement provided recommendations to Basketball ACT about having clearer processes for reporting discriminatory behaviour, as well as investigation time frames.
Under the Basketball ACT code of conduct, players must "avoid use of derogatory language based on gender, race or impairment."
Designated Basketball ACT officials are authorised to ask a person to leave the premises if they breach the code through verbal abuse of other participants, and, harassment or discrimination of individuals and groups.
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"Basketball ACT does not condone any form of racism or discrimination within our community at any level," Basketball ACT boss David Simpson said.
"Basketball ACT has moved promptly on the concerns raised through the initial complaint, and is in discussion with the basketball community.
"The Basketball ACT board has endorsed the roll out of a range of cultural awareness training with its member clubs and has a planned video conference for next week where this will be raised with club presidents alongside other updates.
"Basketball ACT has been (and is still) in consultation with Basketball Australia, other sporting associations, cultural and government institutions to identify the most suitable and effective approach to delivering to our members and the broader basketball community."
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
