Anniversary of Adam Goodes’ Stand Against Racism

24 May

Content note: This page discusses racism and racial abuse.

On 24 May 2013, Sydney Swans footballer Adam Goodes called attention to racist abuse from a spectator during a match against Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The incident became a major public discussion about racism, education and the treatment of Aboriginal people in sport. This anniversary centres Goodes’ right to safety and dignity, and the responsibility of others to respond.

What happened and how Goodes responded

The spectator was a child. Goodes subsequently spoke about the hurt the abuse had caused while emphasising the importance of education and the environment in which racist attitudes are learned. An account of the event can recognise both the harm done to him and the need to avoid targeting or publicly shaming a child.

His response also challenged the expectation that an Aboriginal player should quietly absorb abuse. Sporting ability and public visibility do not remove a person’s right to identify racism or to seek support when it occurs.

The wider consequences

The National Museum of Australia places the incident within the prolonged racist treatment Goodes experienced in the later years of his career. He continued to advocate for First Nations people and faced repeated hostility, including crowd booing. In June 2019, the AFL and its clubs apologised for failing to support him adequately.

The museum’s account and the documentaries The Final Quarter and The Australian Dream offer different ways to examine this history. The responsibility to respond extended beyond one spectator: clubs, league officials, broadcasters, other players and audiences all shaped the environment.

What the anniversary asks of us

For a school, club or workplace, a useful starting point is to ask what happens after someone reports racism. Who supports them? Who addresses the conduct? Are leaders waiting for the affected person to prove their hurt repeatedly, or taking responsibility for creating a safe setting?

A public statement is one part of a response. Clear reporting routes, timely action, careful communication and ongoing support also matter. Bystanders can learn how to report an incident safely and seek help rather than leaving the targeted person alone to manage it.

Learning with care

Do not reproduce slurs unnecessarily, replay abuse without warning, or ask First Nations participants to explain or defend Goodes’ response. Make discussion optional and use appropriate, authorised material for the age and setting. This anniversary is distinct from his cultural goal celebration on 29 May 2015, which has its own date and context.

Sources and further reading

Online sources

AFL apology to Adam Goodes. National Museum of Australia. Historical context, Goodes’ response and the later apology.
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/afl-apology-adam-goodes

Tributes to retiring Adam Goodes. AFL. Timeline identifying the 24 May 2013 incident.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/96697/goodes-noble-banner-hangs-high-after-retirement-says-nsw-minister

Guide to addressing spectator racism in sports. Australian Human Rights Commission. Practical guidance for sporting organisations on preventing and responding to spectator racism.
https://humanrights.gov.au/resource-hub/by-resource-type/publications/race/guide-addressing-spectator-racism-sports-2021

Our related products and resources

We do not currently offer products or learning resources specifically for this anniversary. The reading links above are provided for background and further learning. Suitable items from our range will be added here as they become available.