Southern Football League clubs back Cove amid allegations of sexual harassment
Rival clubs have thrown their support behind a team which was kicked out of its home by Marion Council following claims of “sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour”.
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Southern Football League clubs have rallied behind under siege Cove Football Club amid allegations of sexual harassment and intimidating behaviour.
Marion Council kicked out the club from its Lonsdale Highway home on Wednesday after a two-month investigation found a “culture of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour’’.
The Cobras now have 30 days to leave the sporting complex under the council’s eviction order.
The SFL on Wednesday forwarded petitions to its member clubs to sign in support of Cove.
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Clubs contacted by Messenger Newspapers say Cove has been treated poorly and should have had more time to address the council findings.
Aldinga president Danny Wilde said the council decision had appeared to have been rash.
“I don’t know the exact circumstances but we feel that they (Cove) deserve a fair go,” Wilde said.
“If this happened to us we would be very disappointed.
“This seems totally unfair.
“If council is going to evict give them 12 months notice.
“Not just dump this on them now.
“Where is the community spirit and working with them?’’
Port Noarlunga president Phil Wood said his club would support Cove but needed to know more details.
“It looks like a dog’s breakfast,” Wood said.
“We can’t see how kicking out a club will achieve anything.
Similar support came from Noarlunga.
“There must be a lot more to the matter than we know,” Shoes president Mark Anderson said.
“It’s a drastic action by council but we need to know more facts and information.
“Then when we know that we can support the club wholly.
“If there is something to the allegations then it is still a big call to kick them out.
“You can’t wipe out a club if it is proved there are a few bad apples.’’
Christies Beach president Paul Daly said his club was behind Cove as the matter stood.
“Cove is a very viable and large sporting organisation,’’ Daly said.
“For (the) council to say they will find a home for the senior women’s teams and junior teams will just fragment the club.
“Clubs are one whole, not just different parts.”
Marion Council took over the running of the Cove sporting complex, which includes football, BMX, cricket, soccer and two netball clubs, in January this year.
Cove Football Club president Tony Kernahan said on Thursday the club was trying to make sense of the past few days.
“The Cove Football Club has enjoyed sustained growth, increasing our player numbers by 11.5 per cent in season 2019 alone,” Kernahan said.
“We have continued to attract new female players to the club and our female program has more than doubled in player numbers in the past three seasons.
“It is these junior and female players who will suffer the greatest loss if the Cove Football Club no longer has a future at the Cove Sports and Community Club.”
An information night for members, players and their families to discuss the club’s next move will be held at South Adelaide Football Club on Friday at 6.30pm.
