A girls sports team in teal jerseys stands in a huddle on a field, arms around each other, preparing for a game. Their backs are to the camera, and the scene is outdoors with trees in the background.

A Victorian University Leverages AI to Address Systemic Discrimination in Community Sports

Swinburne University of Technology
Australia
United by Sport
Project specific

Swinburne University of Technology

Partner

Australia

Location

3 Years

Duration

A girls sports team in teal jerseys stands in a huddle on a field, arms around each other, preparing for a game. Their backs are to the camera, and the scene is outdoors with trees in the background.

Community details


From cricket to swimming to Australian Rules football, sports run through the veins of Melbourne’s culture and people. In 2016, the city was even crowned the world's sporting capital. But ongoing discrimination, particularly homophobia, sexism, and racism throughout community sports, hinders participation and undermines the core purpose of community sports—to foster healthy, active, and inclusive communities. For example, a 2024 study from Swinburne University of Technology indicated over half of LGBTQIA+ young people in Australia witnessed discrimination in community-based sports. That is why a program launched by Swinburne University of Technology works to tackle discrimination in community sports to help ensure everyone feels welcomed, respected, and safe in community sports.

About the project


The project tackles hate and discrimination in community sports through three stages. The first stage focuses on co-creating inclusive policies and strategies with stakeholders to address systemic issues related to race, gender, and ability. In the second stage, a Large Language Model (LLM) - an advanced artificial intelligence system trained to understand and generate human-like language, is developed and piloted. This AI-driven tool provides immediate, context-specific guidance to respond to discrimination, ensuring cases are handled consistently, and bias is reduced. The third stage involves rolling out the LLM more broadly. Educational resources and workshops will be designed to support understanding and changing discriminatory behavior for both individuals affected by discrimination, as well as individuals who have exhibited discriminatory behavior.

Three boys play Australian rules football on a grassy field. Two wear brown and gold uniforms with numbers 5 and 8, while one wears a gold top and brown shorts. A white picket fence and cars are visible in the background.

United by Sport


Swinburne University of Technology combines technology, education, and policy to deliver a sustainable, systemic, and scalable solution to tackling discrimination in community sports. The project’s innovative approach creates safer and more inclusive spaces so everyone can reap the benefits of sports.

Requested grant amount

€300.000

Media Gallery

  • Three boys play Australian rules football on a grassy field. Two wear brown and gold uniforms with numbers 5 and 8, while one wears a gold top and brown shorts. A white picket fence and cars are visible in the background.
  • A girls sports team in teal jerseys stands in a huddle on a field, arms around each other, preparing for a game. Their backs are to the camera, and the scene is outdoors with trees in the background.

Partner

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Managing Director

Melissa Liszewski Kaar

Amtsgericht Fürth:

HRB 20954

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