Racism at the forefront of league’s mind as the WAFC review into the Great Northern Football League continues

The boss of the local football league admits she doesn’t know how much of a problem racism is on the field because people are not using the reporting process enough.

As calls grow for AFL clubs to conduct a review into their treatment of Indigenous players following the shocking racism allegations made against Hawthorn, closer to home the Great Northern Football League is facing its own review.

The WA Football Commission launched a review into the GNFL after several high-profile on and off-field incidents of violence and antisocial behaviour, including a mass brawl at a colts game in which Brigades and Mullewa players, Brigades coach Jayden Schofield and a parent suspended. There was also a carpark fight that saw Rovers forward and former Collingwood player Shannon Cox miss the grand final.

The Geraldton Guardian understands the WAFC’s investigation into the GNFL has concluded, while an in-depth review of the league is ongoing.

It is further understood that following the review, an independent company appointed by the WACFL will develop a strategic plan for the GNFL.

GNFL president Carrissa Bellottie said the review would not just look at violence and antisocial behaviour within the league.

“It’s going to look at a whole range of different things. Things that we’re doing well and things that could be done better,” she said.

“But in saying that, it is something that the WAFC may possibly be looking into, there’s obviously been some events such as that across many different leagues throughout WA.”

While racism isn’t a specific focus of the review, Ms Bellottie said it could be an issue that is raised.

“It should be at vilification as a whole. The GNFL adopts the WAFC vilification by-laws as do most other leagues. So we already have that process within our league,” she said.

As to whether the GNFL has a racism problem, Ms Bellottie said they simply do not have the data to decide.

“We need people to understand that there is a vilification process,” she said.

“It’s really hard to gauge whether there is an issue or not, because I believe people aren’t using the process enough.”

Ms Bellottie called on more people to report racism, and suggested the process might need to be looked at if they don’t get the desired response.

“I think because of how massive that process appears to be, that might deter people away from actually doing anything,” she said.

Ms Bellottie was president of Mullewa Football Club more than 10 years ago, when a racist incident occurred.

“In that time, I would have said yes (the league does have a problem), that’s over 10 years ago. In our current form right now, we don’t have the data that shows us that there is a massive problem,” she said.

Despite this, Ms Bellottie is confident the league will continue to work through these issues heading into season 2023.

“The GNFL have been doing the best they can with some of the big issues that have come up over the past season. But obviously, with this review and a strategic plan, we’re just hoping to get everybody to come together and work better as a league,” she said.

Chapman Valley Football Club president Grant Woodhams said issues such as racism were not exclusive to the football field.

“We must be careful, whatever we describe (this review) as, we must realise that these social issues are not exclusive to football, they are unfortunately in every element of our society,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that football has been targeted to drive certain people’s opinions and there are no easy solutions to these problems we as a society face.

“As a club this year we have not had one incident with any social issues, I think the bigger issue facing clubs across all sporting codes is a drain on volunteers and the more pressure that is applied to people is going to make it harder to keep that volunteer pool.”