An Australian world-first study has found that education sessions delivered by professional athletes about the dangers of homophobic slurs is ineffective in curbing harmful language among young rugby union players.
In the Monash University study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers found an “educational” approach to stamping out homophobic language failed to have an effect on attitudes, with 61 per cent of the young players surveyed saying they continued to use such language.
The survey involved players from every rugby union team in Victoria which featured players age between 16 and 20.
The players took part in a one-off 30-minute education session,
The study measured the frequency of homophobic languages used by the young players before and after education programs.
According to the study, 55 per cent of players who took part reported using homophobic language with teammates in the preceding two weeks.
A follow-up survey found that 61 per cent had reported using the same language following the education session.
The study’s author Erik Denison said without coaches reinforcing the messages of education programs, there would be no progress in changing attitudes.
“Sports organisations often use professional athletes to deliver education to children about the harm caused by homophobic, sexist, or racist language. This is the first study to test whether this approach is effective,” Dr Denison said.
“Unfortunately, we found no changes to the frequent use of homophobic language by the teenage athletes in our study.”
Dr Denison recommended greater enforcement of policies and principles to curb discriminatory behaviour and language and called for more action by volunteer coaches and government bodies.
“This is concerning because the constant use of homophobic language in youth sport is harmful to the mental health of all children, regardless of their sexuality,” he said.
Former Melbourne Rebels captain Tom English, who was one of six professional players to deliver the seminars and helped shape the program, said stamping out harmful language was still a work in progress.
“I think we still have a lot of work to do to change this language and change what the boys think is acceptable behaviour in rugby and in sport,” Mr English said.
“People use this language to prove they are tough and a ‘man.’
“Regardless of the reasons, players need to understand this language is hurtful, that it is deterring people from playing rugby, and also causing young people to try to hurt themselves.”