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Following the success of its four previous editions, the Sports Without Borders conference is returning in 2015 - this year looking to combat the issue of discrimination in sport.

To be held on Friday 1st May, 2015 at Moonee Ponds Racecourse Function Centre.in Melbourne, the conference theme is "I’m not Racist, Sexist, Homophobic, but… Stop. Think. Change.'

Hosted by Sports Without Borders and Our Community, the conference aims to brings together sportspeople, club officials, volunteers, policymakers, government funders, federal and local government workers, peak bodies, and sports administrators.

In releasing the conference program, an announcement from SWB stated “people from different cultural backgrounds, people who speak English as a second language, girls and women, gay people and people with disabilities face the challenges of being ‘outsiders’ at sports clubs across Australia.

“Discrimination in sport needs to be addressed and this conference brings debate, discussion and deliberation on some of the challenges sporting communities face to become more inclusive.”

This conference will provide the inspiration and the practical support to ensure sports participants, administrators, volunteers and supporters have the tools they need to make our sports clubs the most inclusive in the world.

Speakers include:

• Master of Ceremonies: Paul Kennedy - Host of ABC Contact Sport and ABC Breakfast 
• James Demetriou - Chairperson, Sports Without Borders 
• Hon John Eren - Victorian Minister for Sport  (to be confirmed)
• Dr Tim Soutphommasane - Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner 
• Dr Emma Sherry - La Trobe University 
• Professor Russell Hoye - La Trobe University 
• Jenny Brockie - Journalist and host of SBS’s Insight program 
• Shaun Burgoyne - Indigenous Hawthorn Football Club three-time premiership player 
• Jason Ball - Government Liaison and Project Officer, Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre 
• Dr Pippa Grange - Director, Bluestone Edge 
• Rita Panahi - Media commentator, 1116 SEN Radio Host 
• Jenni Cole - Chief Executive, Disability Sports Australia 
• Craig Hill - Executive Director, ASTN 
• Andrew Walton - Director, Sales & Marketing, Interact Sport 
• Patrick Moriarty - Fundraising specialist, Institute of Community Directors Australia 
• Maria Dimopoulos - Managing Director, Myriad Consultants 
• Patrick Skene - Director, Sport & Media, Red Elephant Projects
• Peter Downs - National Manager, Play by the Rules 
• Athalia Zwartz - Executive Officer, Initiatives of Change Australia 

The conference will also include a question and answer panel on ‘What is the Cost to Sport?’

First staged in 2011, the Sports Without Borders National Community Sports Conference provides an innovative platform to promote Social Inclusion Through Sports (SITS) for groups, local government and state government agencies, who work in, play or administer sport and/or are involved in the community.

Backed by Our Community, the conference focuses on Australia’s disadvantaged groups, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), all abilities and Indigenous communities along with women.

For more information click here to view the event details on the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

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21st MArch 2014 - NETBALL CELEBRATES CULTURAL DIVERSITY

12th March 2014 - 2014 SPORTS WITHOUT BORDERS CONFERENCE - WIN OR LOSE: IS IT REALLY HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME?

26th March 2013 - SPORTS WITHOUT BORDERS CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS INNOVATION IN COMMUNITY SPORT

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