The Australian Volleyball Federation (AVF) apologised on Thursday for the physical and psychological abuse and coercive control its players suffered while training in a “climate of fear” in Canberra between 1997 and 2005.
The apology follows an independent report into the treatment of the players, including under-14s, while training at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
The report, published in 2022, found that female athletes were subjected to “coercive control” that included “the use of training as a method of punishment, verbal and physical abuse, favouritism, ostracism, excessive punishment and body shaming.”
“We deeply regret the impact this experience has had on the players’ lives and their relationship with volleyball,” the AVF said.
These poor practices, coupled with a lack of care from coaches, also led to volleyball players becoming isolated from their families, having low self-esteem and losing income, the federation said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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