Sport should be a place of teamwork, confidence and joy. Yet many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes experience racism - sometimes openly, sometimes in subtle and systemic ways that are harder to challenge. Over time, these experiences can affect mental health, self-belief and whether young people stay involved in the game at all.

In this episode of Know Your Rights, you’ll learn how racism shows up in community and school sport, how it impacts Aboriginal athletes and families, and what your rights are when discrimination happens. Narrated by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa and Mutti Mutti woman; this episode centres on Aboriginal voices, lived experience and the strength of community-led change.

You’ll hear from Anita North, a proud Gunditjmara and Mutti Mutti woman and long-time netball player and coach, who shares her experience supporting young Aboriginal athletes. You’ll also hear from Professor Barry Judd, a Pitjantjatjara man and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne, who explains how racism in sport can be both visible and systemic and what needs to change.

Know Your Rights is a 5 part podcast series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can reach out to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for more information, to make a complaint or report. Visit www.humanrights.vic.gov.au

Click here to access the full show notes, resources and transcript.

Other links and resources mentioned in the episode:
www.humanrights.vic.gov.au
www.vals.org.au

Song credits:
Koori Woman - Carol Fraser
Call It Out - David Arden

Sport should be a place of teamwork, confidence and joy. Yet many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes experience racism - sometimes openly, sometimes in subtle and systemic ways that are harder to challenge. Over time, these experiences can affect mental health, self-belief and whether young people stay involved in the game at all.
In this episode of Know Your Rights, you&rsquo;ll learn how racism shows up in community and school sport, how it impacts Aboriginal athletes and families, and what your rights are when discrimination happens. Narrated by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa and Mutti Mutti woman; this episode centres on Aboriginal voices, lived experience and the strength of community-led change.
You&rsquo;ll hear from Anita North, a proud Gunditjmara and Mutti Mutti woman and long-time netball player and coach, who shares her experience supporting young Aboriginal athletes. You&rsquo;ll also hear from Professor Barry Judd, a Pitjantjatjara man and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne, who explains how racism in sport can be both visible and systemic and what needs to change.
Know Your Rights is a 5 part podcast series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can reach out to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for more information, to make a complaint or report. Visit <a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au">www.humanrights.vic.gov.au</a>
<a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/racism-in-sport-standing-up-against-discrimination-in-sport/">Click here to access the full show notes, resources and transcript.</a>
Other links and resources mentioned in the episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au">www.humanrights.vic.gov.au</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.vals.org.au">www.vals.org.au</a></li>
</ul>
Song credits:
<ul>
<li>Koori Woman - Carol Fraser</li>
<li>Call It Out - David Arden</li>
</ul>

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn’t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face — in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system. 

Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.

Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality — from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion — and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.

If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au. 

All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn&rsquo;t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face &mdash; in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system.&nbsp;
Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.
Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality &mdash; from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion &mdash; and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.
If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au">https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au</a>.&nbsp;
All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

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