Diversity and inclusion statement

At St Mary’s Sporting Club, we believe that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to building a vibrant and successful sporting community. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued regardless of background.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

  1. Respect and equality: We treat all members, players, volunteers, supporters, and visitors equally. We strive to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to participate and thrive within our club.
  2. Inclusive environment: We aim to foster an inclusive environment that embraces people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. Our club policies and practices are designed to be fair and inclusive.
  3. Education and awareness: We provide ongoing education and training to our community to raise awareness about diversity and inclusion. By understanding and appreciating our differences, we can build stronger, more cohesive teams.
  4. Safe and supportive space: We are committed to creating a safe and supportive space for all members. Harassment, discrimination, and bullying have no place in our club, and we will take immediate action to address any such behaviour.
  5. Community engagement: We actively engage with diverse communities to promote participation and collaboration. We can better understand and meet their needs by building strong relationships with various community groups.
  6. Celebration of diversity: We celebrate the diversity within our club by acknowledging and honouring the different cultures, traditions, and perspectives that our members bring. Special events and activities will be held to showcase and appreciate this diversity.
  7. Accessibility: We are dedicated to making our facilities and programs accessible to everyone. We continually assess and improve our infrastructure and services to ensure they meet the needs of all our members.

Our diversity and inclusion vision

Our vision is to be a leader in diversity and inclusion within our sporting community. We believe that embracing and celebrating our differences can create a richer, more dynamic club that benefits everyone.

St Mary’s Sporting Club is committed to ongoing reflection and improvement in our diversity and inclusion efforts. Together, we can build a club that truly represents and supports the diverse community we serve.

Our programs

  • Junior Development Program
  • Cultural Immersion Trips
  • Community themed days
    • May 27th – AFL Barwon Female Festival of Sport
    • June 10th – AFL Barwon Pride Round
    • June 10th – The Sir Doug Nicholls Round (AFL Barwon Indigenous Round)
    • July 15th – July 21st – Read the Play and Mental Health Round