By Mark Murray
THE Western Region Football League (WRFL) took a stance on racism at the junior forum held last month.
League president Ian Hamm was disappointed with some incidents which occurred in the junior grades earlier this season involving racial vilification, and has moved swiftly to stamp out the problem.
He spoke to club delegates, reiterating the league’s commitment to maintaining an acceptable standard of behaviour.
“In the past few weeks a number of incidents have occurred including racial vilification, the treatment of umpires and reportable on-field incidents,” Hamm said.
“I am extremely dismayed that these issues have arisen and I am even more concerned that some of them have occurred in the juniors, most notably racial vilification.
“The WRFL and its clubs work hard to get children from communities who have no natural connection to our game to take up Australian Rules Football.”
Hamm reminded clubs that they had a duty to be role models for the junior players in the WRFL.
“Each person involved in this league – junior and senior – needs to take a responsible stance on this matter and actively ensure that this type of abuse does not occur to any other person in our competition,” he said.
“Clubs that do not actively support the policies of the WRFL on this matter and behavioural matters generally will be dealt with in the most severe manner.
“If we do not teach our children respect and dignity for others, if we do not show them how to be good citizens, then all the premierships and all the medals in the world are really rather pointless.
“I urge everyone to relay the message that the WRFL executive, members’ clubs and wider community expects that each player, coach, official and supporter who participates in our league does so in the right spirit.”
