Squash Australia has slammed the social media abuse directed at junior players, tournament referees and officials during the recent Australian Junior Open in Melbourne.
Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue strongly condemned the recent abuse and reinforces SqA’s commitment to stamping out the behaviour and ensuring the safety of participants, particularly children.
“It is unacceptable that with all the awareness and education available, that people still choose to use social media platforms to perpetrate abuse and it will not be tolerated in Squash in Australia,” he said.
All participants, said the governing body, are entitled to a fun, safe and inclusive environment and should not be subjected to any type of abuse in venue or through online platforms.
“Experiencing online abuse can have immediate and ongoing impacts on those involved in sport. It can affect the mental health, physical wellbeing, confidence, relationships and sense of safety of the person(s) targeted and anyone who witnesses it. It can also stop people joining or staying with the sport.”
Donaghue added: “We all have a responsibility to ensure sport is safe for all participants and that any type of abuse is called out and reported.
“Squash Australia will continue to take action to ensure the safety of the squash community and work with Sport Integrity Australia, the e-Safety Commissioner and other partner agencies to continue to provide education, resources and raise awareness to ensure this behaviour is eradicated from sport.”
Squash Australia adopted the Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework in March 2022. The Squash Community should familiarise themselves with their obligations as participants and supporters of the sport.