The University of the Sunshine Coast has joined a national campaign supporting AFL player Adam Goodes and calling for “renewed efforts to stamp out racism in sport and everyday life”.

The 2014 Australian of the Year is expected to return to the field at Geelong tomorrow with his team, the Sydney Swans, following national debate about racism sparked by recent crowd booing.

USC has become a signatory to the joint statement, “Australia must and can be better than this”, released by independent advocacy group ANTaR (Justice, Rights and Respect for Australia’s First Peoples).

The statement says “racism has no place in Australian sport or our society at large” and commends the Aboriginal player and dual Brownlow medallist for his courage.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the University’s commitment to Australia’s first peoples and Indigenous advancement was clearly defined in its Reconciliation Action Plan.

“Our vision is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to enjoy the same life opportunities as other Australians in a society which values equality, diversity and the contributions of all,” he said.

USC’s vision extends across teaching, research and engagement, including through the Buranga Centre, the embedding of Indigenous education in degrees, and an Indigenous Studies Research Theme.

Professor Hill reiterated USC’s support of the Universities Australia statement this week that condemned racism in all its forms.

The peak body in higher education is an official partner of the “Racism: It Stops With Me” Human Rights Commission campaign.

— Julie Schomberg