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Implementation – Southern Sports Academy eLearning modules
Why sport?
Primary prevention activities led by sporting clubs or institutions, have the influence to create a positive culture, particularly among boys and men. As an influential sporting institution, Southern Sports Academy (SSA) in partnership with Council developed a suite of three eLearning modules for young athletes to increase support and understanding of gender equality in sport.
Education as a foundation
Strategies for the primary prevention of violence against women, include education programs delivered to young adults to address violence supportive attitudes and behaviours. In the sporting sector, campaigns and training programs help to build awareness and ownership of positive behaviours, eliminating toxic, violence supportive cultures. The modules provide learning opportunities and skills, that will not only benefit the junior athletes in their sporting careers, but also in their personal development. With a focus on real topics and scenarios in an age-appropriate setting, the modules cover respectful relationships, how to challenge set gender stereotypes and norms, and how to enact bystander actions on and off the field.
Long term impact and behaviour change
The suite of eLearning modules have been offered to all regional academy network members (Regional Academies of Sport – RASi) as part of their mandatory code, and forms part of SSA’s code of conduct, highlighting their genuine commitment to gender equality through a supported framework.
With each new intake of athletes, parent orientation sessions were held to further extend the reach of positive behaviour change in young people, at home, at school and in the community.
Mark Calverley
Chief Executive Officer - Southern Sports Academy and Project Manager
