Some of the biggest names in the AFL and AFLW will appear in a new video calling on fans to stand up to racism and end the damaging cycle of online abuse that is too often directed at players.
The new video, which will be released during the AFL’s 2020 Sir Doug Nicholls Round, features Richmond stars Shai Bolton and Sydney Stack, GWS GIANTS defender Nick Haynes, Sydney Swan's Aliir Aliir, West Coast captain Luke Shuey, Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Hugh Greenwood, and Carlton’s AFLW stars, Madison Prespakis, Darcy Vescio and Tayla Harris.
The production is the next phase in the online safety campaign launched by the AFL and Australia’s eSafety Commissioner in June. The video and a new online safety tool kit will be shared with all senior and grassroots clubs in Australia.
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan has condemned racism in any form, including the recent online abuse players have experienced.
“Our message is clear, racist comments online directed at players, officials, and the community are not acceptable in football.” Mr. McLachlan said.
“To continue to see this unfold is incredibly disappointing and it demonstrates that we need to do so much more as a society to educate and hold racist behaviour into account. The AFL is committed to facilitating a safe and respectful online community on our official channels.”
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Indigenous Australians experience online abuse, including hate speech and racial slurs, at a much higher rate than the rest of the population and what we are seeing play out online in the AFL is, unfortunately, a reflection of what is happening in wider society.
“eSafety has just released new research that shows that at-risk groups in our community, like Indigenous Australians, are targeted much more online than the rest of us and this abuse has a huge emotional and mental impact,” Ms. Inman Grant said.
“For Indigenous players, the abuse doesn’t just stay on the field, it follows them into the change rooms and when this abuse moves online, it follows them into their homes and sometimes targets their families. Online racism, misogyny, and targeted abuse should be a no-go zone.
“In this powerful video, the players are talking directly to the fans about how this impacts them and it’s our hope that we all stop for a minute and really listen to what the players have to say. I truly believe with the help of the clubs, the players and the fans, together we can change the game.”
AFL General Manager of Inclusion & Social Policy Tanya Hosch said it has been 25 years since the introduction of the AFL Discrimination and Racial and Religious Vilification Act.
“It’s important that we recognise the tireless work of Indigenous leaders and our players, past and present, who have faced discrimination, racism, and abuse, both on-field and off-field.
“We continue to prioritise an inclusive environment for all people within the industry and focus on identifying strategies targeted at the prevention of vilification before it occurs through education and awareness. Our partnership with the eSafety Commissioner has enabled us to provide the AFL community with best practice advice and resources to empower the community to get involved in the fight against racism.
“Sadly, we are seeing too much abuse online, especially racism. We hope this video featuring the players will help remind the fans that they are not superhuman as they sometimes appear to be, and if they see abuse online, report to the social platform, and share their support for the person rather than the abuse of the troll.
“Abuse online does our players, their families, and the AFL community harm. I’d like to thank each one of the players who volunteered their time to lend their voices to this campaign, and hope our fans are inspired to support one another.”
The AFL’s annual Indigenous Round recognises and celebrates indigenous players and culture and is named in honour of Fitzroy legend and former Governor of South Australia, Sir Doug Nicholls.
“This week we recognise and celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country, and their contributions to our game,” Ms. Hosch said.
The marquee match of the round is the Dreamtime in Darwin between Essendon and Richmond on Saturday night.
Season 2020 marks the fourteenth year the AFL has celebrated the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their contribution to Australian Football and is the fifth year the dedicated round has been named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls.