Hallett Cove Football Club booted from clubrooms by Marion Council
Marion Council has booted a football club out of its Hallett Cove facility, after other users complained of sexual harassment and intimidating behaviour.
West & Beaches
Don't miss out on the headlines from West & Beaches. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A SOUTHERN suburbs football club has been kicked out of its clubrooms for sexual harassment, sexist language, and a “culture of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour”.
Marion Council launched a two-month investigation into the Cove Cobras Football Club after multiple complaints and found other clubs had stopped using the facility “because they feel unwelcome or unsafe”.
The council had already spent more than $8200 on personal duress alarms, extra CCTV cameras and a security guard for events with alcohol.
CCFC was given two weeks to respond to the investigation, which it did this week, but council still saw fit to evict them.
Acting Council chief executive officer Fiona Harvey said the behaviour described in the investigation report was “inconsistent with community standards and unacceptable”.
The behaviour included:
Inappropriate behaviour, disrespectful language and intimidating conduct (resulting) in other sporting clubs not using the facility because they felt unwelcome or unsafe.
Insulting sexist language directed at a female staff member and sexual harassment of female netball players.
A sense of entitlement and “ownership” of the facility, with other clubs experiencing territorial or unwelcome acts when they attempt to use it. (The Hallett Cove facility is also used by two netball clubs, a cricket club, BMX club and soccer club).
“Council has made the decision to cancel the tenancy and send a strong message that it will not condone this type of extreme behaviour in its community facilities,” Ms Harvey said.
“Council considered that the actions of some of the members will, unfortunately, have an impact on the rest of the club.
“The council hopes the women’s and junior teams can continue to play football in some format next year.”
Both SANFL and the Southern Football League have been notified.
CCFC wrote on Facebook that it would work with them to “explore all options to challenge this decision”.
“We will remain united and strong to reverse this decision,” the club said.
Cove Football Club president Tony Kernahan said he and his club were blindsided by the council’s action.
“This is unbelievably hard to understand,’’ Mr Kernahan said.
“It is hard to respond when you don’t know what the allegations are. We have not discussed these alleged matters with anyone so we don’t know what they are about.’’
A meeting will be held tonight (Wednesday) between Cove Football Club officials, Southern Football League executive members and SANFL representatives to discuss the club’s response.
Do you know more? Email our reporter: tory.shepherd@news.com.au