Launch of the fairplay Action Weeks 2025: Sport says NO to violence, sexism and hate!
The fairplay Action Weeks 2025 were launched on Wednesday morning in Vienna’s third district. Under the motto “Violence is not a game”, representatives from ice hockey, football, basketball and martial arts joined politicians, civil society and athletes in sending a strong message against violence towards women and people perceived as female, as well as against sexism and hate in sport and beyond. A visible symbol was also left behind: thanks to the support of the district authority, a large banner bearing the message “Violence is not a game” now hangs in the football cage and will remain visible throughout the Action Weeks. It is intended to remind passers-by and athletes every day that sport stands for respect, diversity and non-violent coexistence.
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The Action Weeks, which take place throughout Austria from 1 to 31 October 2025, invite sports clubs to get involved and take a stand through workshops, activities and matches. Project manager Nikola Staritz: “Last year, more than 180 sports clubs took part. By adding a fourth sport, ice hockey, we want to break this record again this year.”
District Head Erich Hohenberger emphasised the social responsibility in his welcome address: “We all have a responsibility to give our young people the opportunity to practise the sport they love, regardless of their background, social status or gender. Team sports in particular promote solidarity and understanding in a playful way. That is why I support the fairplay Action Weeks, as well as a large number of sports clubs in my district, in order to strengthen the principle of ‘togetherness’.”
Yasmin Stepina, ÖEHV Vice-President, explained the motivation for taking part for the first time: “We have two important cornerstones within the federation: respect and appreciation. These values run like a common thread through our work, especially in the children’s and youth sector. Violence is not a game, nor is it a solution.”
National team player Virginia Kirchberger (ÖFB, FK Austria Wien) highlighted the role of role models: “Fundamentally, clubs, federations and officials must provide education on issues of discrimination. As elite athletes, we can be role models, and in that capacity I want to take a very clear stand against violence, sexism and hate. As a leader, I also stand for respect within the team.”
Diana Picorusevic, Head Coach BK Raiffeisen Duchess and 3x3 sports coordinator, underlined the responsibility in coaching: “Sports federations have a great responsibility to create a safe, respectful and discrimination-free environment. As a coach, I have a great privilege and can be a role model in demonstrating this respectful approach. When incidents occur, the trust and accessibility of coaches are crucial to ensuring that there is no place for violence.”
Ingo Mach, Head of the Football & Social Responsibility Department at the ÖFB, explained the approach of the largest sports federation: “A great deal of success in football comes with great social responsibility. We work both preventively and repressively: alongside educational programmes for young people and campaign work with organisations such as White Ribbon, we rely on strict sanctions at our events. Misconduct is not tolerated by us.”
Christian Ebenbauer of the Austrian Bundesliga also emphasised: “Social significance also means social responsibility. We want to support and challenge. On the one hand, clubs should take measures independently; on the other, our licensing procedure includes a major social-prevention block covering topics such as inclusion and campaign work. Sport should be fun and enjoyable, and that is what we want to convey.”
Tara Pire from the poika association referred to the importance of gender-sensitive work with boys: “Sport is a key space for the socialisation of young men. Values such as team spirit and fairness are taught there, and it provides a space for personal development. However, problematic patterns such as toxic masculinity, sexism and other forms of discrimination are also shaped there. It is therefore particularly powerful when alternative forms of masculinity are lived out in sport. Projects such as fairplay bring about lasting cultural change.”
#fairplayaktionswochen
The Action Weeks have been held annually since 2001 and demonstrate sport’s commitment to a more diverse, non-violent society. They are organised by fairplay – Initiative for Diversity and Anti-Discrimination and take place in cooperation with the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) and the Austrian Football Bundesliga. Basketball Austria has also been on board since 2024, and the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation since 2025! The Action Weeks are made possible by the City of Vienna – Mein Sportplatz and the Austrian Ministry of Sport (BMWKMS).
Workshops on violence prevention
In cooperation with the organisations White Ribbon, Poika, Selbstlaut and StoP – Districts Without Partner Violence, free workshops are offered throughout Austria for clubs (officials or youth and adult teams) on preventing violence and raising awareness of non-violent masculinities.
ÖEHV Integrity
The Austrian Ice Hockey Federation sees itself as a responsible national sports federation committed to integrity, actively promoting openness, transparency and the protection of everyone involved in Austrian ice hockey. The ÖEHV places great importance on creating a respectful and safe environment in which all stakeholders, regardless of their role in ice hockey, can work together in a fair and trusting atmosphere.
Under the "Integrity" menu item, you will find all information and any relevant points of contact.
