Cove steps up fight against ‘inappropriate behaviour’ claims with 6664-strong petition

More than 6000 people have signed a petition urging a local council to backtrack on a decision to boot out a southern suburbs football club from its home base amid sexual harassment claims.

Cove players in a halftime huddle during a game. The club is stepping up its fight after being booted from its home amid allegations of sexual harassment and has a 6664-strong petition to present to the council. Picture: News Corp

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A southern suburbs football club booted from its home amid allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” has collected more than 6000 signatures urging a local council to reverse its decision.

Marion Council kicked out Cove from its Lonsdale Highway home after an independent two-month investigation found it had a “culture of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour’’.

The Cobras will present a petition with the signatures to elected members at the council’s next meeting on Tuesday night.

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Cove has also sought legal advice as it vows to fight the claims.

Cobras president Tony Kernahan said the club and its supporters had worked tirelessly to collect the signatures.

“Rest assured our goal is to get the Cove Football Club back into the sports and community centre,’’ Kernahan said.

“We ask all of our members to be patient and remain respectful in this difficult time.

“We are accessing legal guidance and following many avenues to work through this process.’’

Two netball clubs, a cricket club, BMX club and a soccer club also share the sports hub.

The council investigation found other clubs had stopped using the clubrooms “because they feel unwelcome or unsafe”.

Findings that led to Cove’s eviction included inappropriate behaviour, disrespectful language and intimidating conduct, insulting sexist language directed at a female staff member and sexual harassment of female netball players.

Marion Council chief executive Adrian Skull said the report from the investigation would remain confidential to “protect those who have been interviewed”.

“The Cobras should not be surprised by the report’s contents as council has previously spoken to the club about their inappropriate, sexist and intimidating behaviour,” he said.

The petition adds to the support Cove received from the club’s women’s team and rival clubs who have rallied behind the under siege Cobras.

Cove women’s footballers Josie Smith (L) and captain Dana O’Brien with coach Brett Baldey (C). The trio has rubbished claims of sexual harassment at the club which led to Marion Council booting it out of its southern suburbs home. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

Cove cricket and BMX clubs have also backed the Cobras.

A statement on Cove BMX Club’s Facebook page said it had “enjoyed a strong, supportive and respectful sporting and working relationship with all the sporting clubs … including the Cove Cobras Football Club”.

The statement also said the BMX Club was “shocked” by the what the investigation found.

But Cove Soccer Club chairman David Brain previously told The Advertiser he fully endorsed the council’s decision.

The Advertiser has contacted the two netball clubs for comment.