A System Failing Its Women: The Crisis in Australian Sport

A synthesis of recent reporting reveals a series of interconnected challenges facing women and girls in Australian sport, spanning sexual violence, inadequate health support, discriminatory governance, and safety failures. These issues affect athletes across community and elite levels, with disabled women facing compounded barriers.

Sexual Violence and Reporting Failures

Survivor Experiences in Community Sport

Keelie McMahon disclosed in 2019 that she was sexually abused as a child by James Geoffrey Griffin, a family friend who worked as a nurse and massage therapist. Griffin was charged with historic sexual abuse of at least five young girls but died by suicide in October 2019 before facing trial. An internal review found Tasmania Police received information about potential child abuse by Griffin in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015.

Ayla Williams reported being raped in September 2020 by an acquaintance. The perpetrator pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison in October 2023. Both women now work as lived experience advocates for Laurel House, a sexual assault support service in Tasmania.

Athlete Accounts of Harassment and Abuse

Multiple elite sportswomen reported sexual harassment and abuse within Australian sport, alongside difficulties encountered during the reporting process.

• Kareema Wakim, a 19-year-old moguls skier, reported sexual harassment by an older male teammate during her first national senior team trip. Wakim stated she felt "guilty" after reporting and regretted her action initially.
• A swimmer reported years of emotional abuse and harassment by a male teammate, stating her coach denied the incidents and protected the male athlete.
• Another athlete reported being raped by a national team head coach. The investigation reportedly took months, and the sporting organization covered it up, resulting in a one-year coaching ban for the coach, who had a history of similar incidents.
• Lilee Lunee, a national-level rowing cox, observed "out of control" sexual harassment from male coaches, including sexualized comments about female rowers' bodies. She noted a reluctance to report due to perceived lack of action.
• Anonymous athletes described sexual comments from male squad members during training, with formal complaints being dismissed by surf clubs.

Stalking and Safety Concerns

Jaydan Thomson, a former NBL1 player with the Ipswich Basketball Association, alleged she was stalked and harassed by a male player from the same club. She obtained a temporary protection order and domestic violence order in April 2022; no criminal charges were filed. Thomson said she raised concerns with the club and Basketball Queensland, particularly regarding the alleged stalker coaching youth and speaking at a school. Basketball Queensland declined to comment on Thomson's specific case but stated it takes safety matters seriously.

Research on Gender-Based Violence

Research from La Trobe University, the University of Sydney, and Victoria University on gender-based violence against women in sport identified clear themes from interviews with 27 women and gender-diverse individuals:

• Policies were often unclear, and individuals did not know where to report incidents.
• Reports often led to no action, dismissal, or a suggestion to "get used to it."
• Common complaints included not being believed, losing opportunities, and facing intimidating legal processes.

"Reports often led to no action, dismissal, or a suggestion to 'get used to it.'"

Menstrual Health and Period-Related Barriers

Elite Athlete Survey Findings

A survey conducted by ABC Sport and Deakin University of 152 women and gender-diverse athletes across 47 sports found:

• 75% reported menstrual irregularities.
• 75% said menstrual cycles were not considered in training program development.
• 85% believe there is insufficient education about women's health for athletes, coaches, and support staff.

Consequences of Ignoring Menstrual Health

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) can occur when energy intake is insufficient, leading to missed periods, increased injury risk, bone weakness, and fertility problems. Athletes like rhythmic gymnast Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva (retired at 22) suffered multiple bone fractures; she was told she was malnourished and over-trained. Use of the contraceptive pill can mask underlying health issues like RED-S.

Disabled Women and Period Barriers

A 2023 survey by Victoria University and period charity Share the Dignity, receiving 273 responses from disabled individuals who regularly engage in sport, found:

• 68% of disabled women and girls regularly skip sport because of their period.
• Over a third of respondents avoided sport due to lack of access to needed period products.
• Many reported discomfort with pads, tampons, or menstrual cups due to sensory issues or physical dexterity challenges.
• 61% were unsure how to discuss their period needs with sports staff.

Swimming Australia has developed inclusive swimwear guidelines covering period swimwear, which allows athletes to wear hygiene swimwear without needing approval from officials.

"68% of disabled women and girls regularly skip sport because of their period."

Disabled Athletes and Systemic Barriers

Participation Statistics and Discrimination

Only 19% of disabled Australian women regularly participate in sport. Former Paralympian swimmer Hannah MacDougall experienced early retirement due to burnout, attributing it to inappropriate training regimes and a "double whammy" of discrimination as a female athlete with an impairment. Over half of respondents to an ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport survey reported discrimination due to impairment.

Health and Medical Support

MacDougall's burnout was linked to a lack of understanding from National Sporting Organisations regarding the increased energy expenditure required by athletes with physical disabilities. Eight-time Paralympian Danni Di Toro advocates for greater athlete autonomy in choosing medical practitioners, noting that an able-bodied model is often superimposed onto disabled sporting environments.

Survey respondents reported negative experiences with support staff, citing poor communication and outdated medical beliefs, such as a doctor who did not believe in concussion. Athletes expressed difficulty in finding and funding suitable medical teams who understand both elite sport and women's health.

Governance and Structural Barriers in Community Sport

Kyneton Wedge-Tailed Eagles Dispute

The Kyneton Women's Football Club (KWFC), which identify with principles of diversity and inclusion, formed as an independent club in 2024 following their separation from the Kyneton Football Netball Club amid claims from KWFC of disrespect and inequitable treatment. KFNC has denied these claims, asserting its commitment to inclusivity.

Timeline of Events:

• KWFC was rejected by three competitions for the 2025 season.
• The Central Victorian Football League (CVFL) subsequently accepted KWFC's application with unanimous approval for the 2026 season.
• AFL Victoria intervened to block this entry following an appeal lodged by the Riddell District Football League (RDFNL).
• The AFL Victoria appeal board cited concerns including long-term club sustainability, impact on existing participation pathways, and uncertainty regarding adequate facility provisions.
• KWFC disputed facility concerns, stating a local council had allocated them a ground.
• After public attention and a year-long dispute, the team was approved to play in the CVFL under a new name, the Wedge-Tailed Eagles Football Club.

Allegations of Discriminatory Comments:
Weeks after the appeal board's decision, Brenton Knott, president of the RDFNL, is alleged to have made comments in a leaked message to a supporter. The message reportedly contained statements regarding "grooming and gender weirdness." KWFC reported this alleged message to the AFL integrity unit. Knott has reportedly denied these specific comments and stated he is exploring legal advice.

Box Hill North Football Club Incident

Genna Krienke, 25, the women's senior football captain at Box Hill North Football Club (BHNFC), resigned after photos of the senior men's leadership team in inappropriate costumes circulated online.

Details of Costumes:

• One photo depicted the captain of the men's senior team dressed as a schoolgirl, which Krienke identified as mimicking an individual making sexual assault allegations against public figures.
• Another photo showed the deputy vice-captain in full body blackface with a large penis attached to the costume. This blackface photo remained on Instagram for over three months.

Club Response:
Krienke reported the costumes to BHNFC in August 2025. She stated that initial communication with the club president and secretary occurred a few days later, but she did not receive further updates for a month and a half. In mid-October, she initiated another meeting and learned no action had been taken regarding the first photo. Krienke indicated that the club only committed to taking action in January 2026, after media inquiries.

BHNFC released a statement apologizing for "any offence caused" and stating it "strongly condemns this behaviour." The club escalated the issue to the Victorian Amateur Football Association, which consulted AFL Victoria for guidance on next steps, including education or reprimands.

Research on Participation and Retention

A report by Federation University and Victoria University, based on 15 interviews, indicates that while participation rates for women and girls in traditionally male-dominated sports are increasing, retention rates are significantly lower compared to men and boys.

Professor Rochelle Eime, a report author, noted that many clubs, originally established by and for males, struggle to adapt to and accept women and girls as integral parts of their environment. She cited instances where male teams are prioritized for resources such as fields, courts, and coaching.

Insights from the "Change Our Game State of Play" survey, released in July 2023 and involving 670 Victorians, showed:

• 28% of women in community sport had considered leaving their clubs due to inequitable treatment.
• Over half reported experiencing gendered discrimination.
• 55% witnessed or experienced sexist language and jokes.

"28% of women in community sport had considered leaving their clubs due to inequitable treatment."

Funding and Systemic Reform

Sexual Violence Support Services

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey (2022) estimated 2.8 million people aged 18 and older had experienced sexual violence since age 15. The 2023 Child Maltreatment Study estimated approximately 28.5% of Australians experienced sexual abuse before age 18.

Nicole Lambert, chair of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV), stated that sexual violence services are "buckling under the weight of demand" and have seen no significant funding increase in decades.

In March, the federal government announced a $291.7 million funding boost for frontline family, domestic, and sexual violence workforces.

Sport Integrity and Reporting Systems

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) oversees matters such as anti-doping, match-fixing, and child safeguarding, but its remit does not specifically cover gender-based violence or safeguarding for individuals over 18. SIA can only conduct investigations for sports signed up to the National Integrity Framework.

Dr. Kirsty Forsdike from La Trobe Rural Health School identified issues within current reporting systems, including policies that prioritize organizational protection over victim support, legalistic reporting pathways, and untrained responders.

A protest campaign called "Wear Red Round," initiated by the advocacy group Not All Clubs, is planned for May 29–31 across multiple sports codes in Australia. Participants will wear two red armbands to honor victims of gendered violence and call for greater accountability in sports safeguarding.

Calls for Change

Athletes, advocates, and experts have called for:

• Dedicated sexual violence prevention frameworks and increased investment in support services.
• Better education for coaches and sporting organizations on menstrual health and cycle-aware training.
• Improved communication between athletes and coaches regarding period needs.
• Updated policies using trauma-informed approaches for reporting gender-based violence.
• Greater athlete autonomy in choosing medical practitioners.
• More women in leadership positions within sports organizations.
• Normalized conversations about menstrual cycles and women's health in sport.