Online hate is never ok – and yet it is all too common an experience. Professional football players Kusini Yengi of Adelaide United and Bernie Ibini of the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club share their experiences of calling it out.

When NRL player Jayden Okunbor spoke out against racist messages on social media, he showed young people that they’re not alone – and that people care and will support them.

Venus and Serena Williams are not only two of the greatest champions in the game of tennis. The sisters are also champions for racial and gender equality, and have inspired thousands of girls to follow their lead.

Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC, MBE was the first Indigenous Australian woman to achieve international sporting fame – reaching world number one.

Colin Kaepernick is a civil rights activist and former NFL player whose bravery inspired awareness and activism around the world in speaking out against racial injustice.

Former rugby union athletes Lloyd McDermott and The Wallaby Seven played a pivotal role in the international anti-apartheid campaign, and built public momentum to fight racial injustice.

US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists on the world stage at the 1968 Olympics - it would become one of the most influential protest images of all time.

Basketball star Thon Maker is a part of the growing South Sudanese-Australian basketball community making waves and inspiring others to follow.

In Australia, more athletes, sporting bodies and clubs than ever before are throwing their support behind the growing movement to change the date of Australia Day from 26 January.