Researcher wins Vicsport inclusion award for homophobia in sport study
Image: (L-R) Neil Hay, Lachlan Mitchell, Erik Denison, and Mitch Canning. Image: supplied.
Researcher Erik Denison has been awarded the inaugural Vicsport 2019 Peter Norman inclusion award for a world-first study which tested the effect of a program designed to combat homophobic language in sport.
Denison was given the award for designing the program, which was piloted during the 2018 season to youth rugby teams by current and former Melbourne Rebels players.
The program was , around the same number heard teammates using words like ‘fag’ and ‘poof’.
Denison’s research also found that homophobic and sexist language can drive young women away from sport.
The research was co-funded by the federal government, Rugby Australia, Rugby Victoria and the Woollahra Colleagues Rugby Club, with assistance from the Sydney Convicts.
Selected by a panel of industry representatives, Denison was awarded the inaugural honour for his efforts to bring about change to ensure that sport is safe, welcoming, fair and inclusive.
“This award recognises the work of a large group of people, particularly leaders within Victoria鈥檚 rugby union community and players from the Melbourne Rebels, who supported our research focused on ending homophobic behaviour in sport,” Denison said.
Denison was helped in testing the program last year by Melbourne Rebels players Tom English, Sam Jeffries, Jordy Reid, Dom Shipperley, Lachlan Mitchell and James King.
鈥淚t was brave of the Victorian rugby community to support this research so strongly,鈥� Denison said.
鈥淚 know Rugby Victoria says rugby is a 鈥榞ame for all鈥�, although sometimes these slogans don鈥檛 translate to the grassroots. This was not our experience with rugby.
鈥淓veryone involved in rugby, from national, state and club leaders as well as coaches and players supported our research and efforts to end discrimination in all sports.
鈥淭his level of engagement is unheard of when conducting this type of research.”
Denison acknowledged the support of Melbourne Chargers Coaching Assistant Mitch Canning, retired Foundation Melbourne Rebel Lachlan Mitchell, and Rebels and Rugby Victoria board member Neil Hay as being integral to implementing the research.
One participant in the program, who was also studying to become a physical education teacher, said that “being part of this study made me think back and realise there probably were things I have said that weren鈥檛 right to say, but I wasn鈥檛 paying attention and thinking about what the words meant to other people.”
Rugby Victoria’s General Manager Chris Evans congratulated Mr Denison on his achievement and thanked him for initiating and leading this extremely important research project.
鈥淩ugby Victoria is committed to developing, administering and promoting Rugby in Victoria while ensuring it is a game for all,鈥� Mr Evans said.
鈥淩ugby Victoria has taken a step in the right direction by implementing Erik鈥檚 research but we need to continue conversations in order to change attitudes and to ensure our Rugby Clubs are welcoming environments for all Victorians.鈥�
