A NEW Ballarat Basketball initiative to promote good sportsmanship was launched on Saturday.
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The Give Respect and Get Respect initiative aims to stamp out poor behaviour on and off the field across the seven Ballarat Basketball clubs.
The launch of the program follows a string of racial vilification incidents in Ballarat, namely in the Ballarat Football League.
Ballarat Basketball competition and program manager Matt Newton said players, coaches and officials supported the initiative.
“Any sexist or racist comments that make people feel uncomfortable will not be accepted,” he said.
“All players from under 10s to our A-grade competition are on board with the campaign.”
Mr Newton said the association met with the clubs at the beginning of the year to plan the campaign.
City of Ballarat councillor Des Hudson showed his support by helping launch the initiative on Saturday.
“I urge all sports to adopt a similar program,” Cr Hudson said.
He said good sportsmanship was everyone’s responsibility.
“Clubs should not condone racial vilification and they should have procedures in place,” Cr Hudson said.
“Every person who plays sport is responsible for their own actions.”
Mr Newton said it was an important initiative for Ballarat Basketball.