Balaklava Football Club player banned for three years after grand final drug scandal

An amateur football player from a country SA club has been banned for three years following a drug scandal during grand final celebrations.

A country SA footy player has received a three year ban as a result of his misconduct. Picture: The Plains Producer

A young footy player has been banned from the Balaklava Football and Netball Club for three years following an incident involving drugs during grand final celebrations.

A letter sent out on September 24, by the club’s secretary Kerry Williams, informed members, families, players, life members and sponsors of the incident.

“It is with much regret that we write to inform you that the current Management and Operating Committees met this week to manage an allegation of player misconduct,” the letter reads.

“The incident occurred after the grand final celebrations on Sunday 17th September and has resulted in a player receiving a 3 year ban from the Balaklava Football and Netball Club for breaching the SANFL member protection policy.”

Letter from the Balaklava Football and Netball Club to members about a player receiving a three year ban from the club for misconduct. Picture: Supplied

Balaklava plays in the Adelaide Plains Football League.

Club president Mark Heaslip told The Advertiser on Monday the incident involved a player and misconduct with drugs.

“Drugs are in the community but they don’t need to be in the change rooms,” he said.

Mr Heaslip said all committees involved made a unanimous decision to ban the player.

“It’s important for clubs to protect their junior players,” he said.

The club president said they wouldn’t be “pursuing any other direction” and had dealt directly with the player.

A SANFL spokeswoman said they were aware of the incident.

“SANFL was made aware of the misconduct and the sanctions handed down by the club,” he said.

The spokeswoman said the player would be able to join other clubs next season as the sanctions were handed down by the club.

A police spokeswoman said no one has been charged as a result of the incident and an investigation has been finalised.

“As police were only informed in the days following, police are unable to ascertain if they were in fact drugs, and are unable to make that conclusion as the drugs were never presented to police,” the spokeswoman said.

“If there is any suspicion by anyone that a person is in possession of drugs, police urge the public to contact police to manage that matter.”

The Adelaide Plains Football League declined to comment on the incident.