Important behaviour reminders
As we hit the halfway mark of the season, let’s take a moment to reflect on how our behaviour on game day has an impact on the children within our club.
As a community, Mt Lofty Devils are providing good examples of behaviour on games day, so let’s keep it up. But things can turn hairy easily, as they have with some recent publicised incidents at other clubs. Remember, “…every time we swear, hit, racially vilify or attack an opponent, an umpire or a spectator, there is a child watching.”
If you haven’t already please read and pledge your agreement to our spectators code of conduct.
Also a reminder that BYO alcohol to games breaches the licensing rules of the club, so, while tempting on days when the bar is not open, it simply is not allowed.
We also wanted to share this letter from Lisa Faraci from the SANFL:
| Letter to Community Clubs Regarding Behaviour To all Club Officials, Coaches, Members, Parents and Guardians, I write to you as follow on from SANFL’s response to recent unacceptable behaviour from some members of our football community at metro SANFL Juniors matches. Unfortunately, these incidents are not isolated to the metro junior football space. The majority of our Clubs and Leagues are enjoying being back on the park and, pleasingly, female football continues to gain popularity with 7% growth so far on 2019 participation figures. Clubs are also doing a great job in managing the additional requirements associated with COVID protocols which have now become the “new norm” at footy matches and venues. However, in recent weeks we have seen a surge in football issues across regional areas which are extremely concerning. These include: • Racial vilification • Verbal and physical abuse of umpires and spectators • Liquor licence breaches • Poor concussion management • Clubs attempting to bypass League Rules and Regulations • Concerns regarding Club application of the Total Player Payment system We simply cannot continue to tolerate these kinds of incidents. We set very clear behavioural expectations for participants, coaches, officials, parents and spectators in community football and these expectations should be well known and enforced by all clubs. Unfortunately, the frequency with which we are receiving reports of unacceptable behaviour shows that this is clearly not the case and stronger action must be taken. There are several key areas of concern that must be addressed. UMPIRES Umpire abuse continues to be a major issue and one that simply must stop. Umpires must be allowed to do their job in a safe and supportive environment. The fact that we continue to receive reports of threatening behaviour toward umpires is completely unacceptable. It must be remembered that many umpires of junior matches are under 18 and, just like your players, the umpires are developing and learning the game and should be supported and treated with respect. COACHES, PARENTS & PLAYERS On the field, we have seen an increase in player sanctions, while the behaviour of some parents and spectators continues to fall well below the standards expected by the football community. Incidents such as on-field melees, parents and spectators approaching young umpires after games or yelling abuse at opposing players simply cannot be tolerated. Our coaches, officials and parents must set the example. In particular, coaches are role models and leaders for their young players and it is therefore incredibly frustrating to also continually hear reports of poor behaviour from coaches on and off the field. MOVING FORWARD As Club leaders I ask you to get in front of your players, coaches and supporters and remind them about what is acceptable behaviour at your footy club. I ask you to remind them to respect umpires. I ask you to remind them that every time we swear, hit, racially vilify or attack an opponent, an umpire or a spectator, there is a child watching. I ask you to have the courage to recognise the culture or education gaps at your club and to implement change. One abused spectator, one racially vilified player, one junior player punched, one spectator abused is one too many. What happens if you don’t change? What happens if we don’t, as a football community, recognise our current precarious position? We lose volunteers. We lose respect as an industry. We are challenged by Government and by Action Groups to provide a please explain. We fall prey to an uncontrollable social media system and then we lose control of our message. We lose funding. We lose sponsors. We lose community respect. We lose our capacity to be regarded as positive role models across the communities we represent. And most importantly we teach our children that abuse, violence and inequality are part of the football landscape. Is that acceptable? It isn’t for me. To put it simply, we all need to do better. SANFL is committed to providing all clubs with support where necessary; however, it is ultimately up to you to drive the standards of behaviour that are set for all participants. It is up to us all to be positive role models for the future generation of footy clubs. We need to remember that it is a game of footy. We love competition and rivalry, but abuse, violence and threatening behaviour is unacceptable and cannot go without sanction. It is up to us all to work together to create a safer and more tolerant football community. Let’s be proud of our sport and embrace the sense of belonging and connection we all enjoy that comes when we walk into a club every weekend as a player, spectator or volunteer. Let’s make it right and let’s do it now. Lisa Faraci, Head of Community Football, SANFL |
