With the AFL round this coming week being named the Indigenous Round I would like to encourage all clubs to celebrate the role Indigenous people have played in their football clubs/leagues around Australia. This weekend also provides everyone an opportunity to address the issue of Racial and Religious Vilification.
Over the years this has been an issue that has been raised at all levels of AFL with incidents from the highest level through to community football. AFL NSW/ACT in conjunction with the AFL has worked hard to eradicate this issue from our sport in the past. We acknowledge however that it is impossible to control the behaviour of all individuals involved in Football. We see education as the best method of reducing this problem.
Due to a number of recent incidents in community football over the past couple of seasons we feel it is time to remind all Leagues, Clubs, Players and Spectators of their responsibilities in relation to this issue. AFL NSW/ACT has a Racial and Religious Vilification Policy which is to be complied to by all Affiliated Leagues and Clubs. An attachment of this policy can be found with this email.
The AFL is committed to eradicating this unacceptable behaviour. As Leagues and Clubs affiliated to AFL NSW/ACT we ask that you continue to be diligent in educating your players, members, spectators and juniors that all people deserve to feel safe and welcome in your football environments.
More information will become available as we develop further programs to combat this issue.
From this weekend forward let’s ensure that we celebrate all that is good about Australian Football.
Regards
Dale Holmes
AFL NSW/ACT
General Manager
Last Modified on 23/05/2008 14:10