Official website of the Essendon District Football League

The CEO's Perspective - May 26, 2018

By CRAIG ARMSTEAD


COMMUNITY football provides many benefits to a range of people including players, coaches, team managers, officials, parents and family members, supporters, volunteers, umpires and administrators.

In addition to the health benefits associated with the physical exercise, EDFL football clubs provide a very important social role to many people involved in our competitions.

Lifelong friendships are formed, many lessons learnt, and the importance and value of team sport reinforced through winning and losing matches, and personal successes and failures.

Australian Rules football also presents many challenges for all parties.

When confronted with these situations, what is most important is being very conscious of our behaviour and reactions.

To date in Season 2018 there are indicators that this behaviour is not what is expected.

We have seen a high number of reported players this year and the EDFL has received many complaints and reports of inappropriate action by club officials, parents and spectators at junior and senior matches.

To date this year there have been 48 players reported.

Of grave concern is that over 40 per cent of these players are playing under-age football (not seniors) and 42 of the 48 players reported have been found guilty.

In addition to these reported players, the EDFL has either completed or is currently investigating a number of other complaints including potential vilification of players, club officials and supporters approaching umpires during and after matches, and arguments and altercations involving spectators and officials from opposing clubs during and post-match.

The EDFL will not condone any inappropriate behaviour.

We will undertake investigations where we deem incidents deserve it and tribunal reports have not been laid. 

As a reminder, the EDFL has a set of By-Laws, a Code of Conduct and behavioural policies which provide direction and assistance in these areas should you have any questions.

There are multiple penalties which can, and have been, applied against individuals and clubs found guilty of breaches.

Good luck for the weekend.

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