R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Spells Inclusivity: Louise Sauvage

Paralympic great, and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) icon, Louise Sauvage OAM has joined Sydney Roosters rugby league coach, Trent Robinson, to urge fellow mentors to use their status in sport to stamp out homophobia.

Sauvage, who won nine gold and four silver Paralympic medals before becoming NSWIS’s/Athletics Australia’s Wheelchair Track and Road Assistant Coach, and Robinson, who has guided the Roosters to three National Rugby League premiership titles, are fronting the Pride in Sport Coach for All program which is being run in collaboration with Allianz.

Sauvage said she was keen to support the program because she wanted to educate herself, and, in turn, other coaches on ways they can foster an all-inclusive team culture and environment.

She said being exposed to some lamentable statistics – including an international survey in which 73 percent of 9000 gay and straight participants aged under 22 said youth sport wasn’t safe for gay people – fueled her decision.

“I was approached to participate through Paralympics Australia, and it was something I wanted to jump on board for,” Sauvage said.

“As a coach we can change the environment or create a different culture. And there is a need because the statistics show youth still either feel uncomfortable or they quit sport.

“That’s alarming. To think people don’t feel safe . . . and they won’t participate for those reasons . . . is a terrible shame – and [sport] is missing out.

“It has made me think about how I speak and, just as importantly, how my athletes speak to one another or call things out. What I’ve realised is the worst thing you can do is to say nothing.

“Silence leaves the person who feels offended to not feel comfortable. It puts them down more and makes them feel as though they don’t belong in your community or group.”

Sauvage said the program – which encourages coaches to stamp out homophobic jokes and banter in the locker room and on the practice field – could be considered a success if vulnerable athletes believed their coach valued who they are.

“It would be nice for them to know their coach is an ally; their coach respects them,” she said. “I don’t think you’re always going to get it right, but I think the fact you’re respecting that person and communicating with them goes a long way.”

Sauvage said ‘respect’ was at the key to the inclusivity.

“Respect for everyone,” she said. “Not just in this program, but all programs where there needs to be respect for a high level of inclusion whether it is someone’s race, cultural beliefs, religion . . .  disability.

“Respect it. And while you may not agree with some things . . . they might not be your values . . . that’s okay but have respect. We’re all here to participate in sport, to have fun, to feel safe and to be inclusive.

“There’s so many benefits to being involved in sport, and if we can make it a safe and inclusive environment, well, that’s the goal.”

Robinson said learning some former teammates from his brief top grade career were gay had made him ask questions of himself.

“When I found out that my former teammates were gay, I often thought back to, ‘What did I say to him that he didn’t feel comfortable to say that to me 10, 15 years ago?’” Robinson told The Sydney Morning Herald.

The Roosters coach said it was up to coaches and sporting teams to change their group’s language and perceptions.

“Because we can’t be waiting for someone in the LGBTQ+ community to walk into our locker room and change the environment.

“It doesn’t matter if I, or anyone else has gay players in their team. It’s about walking into that environment and not having to change who they are. It should be inclusive, so they can walk in and say, ‘Yeah, this is a place for me’.”

The Coach for All program is free and available for download here.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS

Photograph courtesy PRIDE IN SPORT