REVEALED: When league racism report will be finalised

Revealed: When the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League hopes to finalise its investigation into an alleged case of racism in a junior match.

A South Burnett mother has spoken out after her son and his Indigenous teammates were the alleged victims of vile racist abuse during a Toowoomba Junior Rugby League match.

The findings of a report investigating a shocking case of alleged racism in a Toowoomba Junior Rugby League game are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The Chronicle understands a report is being finalised after allegations a 15-year-old boy and his Indigenous teammates were the focus of racist abuse during a Toowoomba Junior Rugby League match between Gatton and South Burnett on Saturday, June 10.

It is expected that Toowoomba Junior Rugby League will consult with Queensland Rugby League to determine how the findings and any potential punishments will be released. 

The alleged incident drew immediate condemnation from the sporting community including QRL CEO Ben Ikin.

“It goes without saying that the QRL rejects racism at any level of the game and is taking the necessary steps to ensure it is eradicated,” Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin said in a statement provided to The Chronicle.

Like the QRL, Sport Integrity Australia and the Australian Sports Commission are committed to helping end racism in sport and every level.

“I commend and support the comments made by Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin, there is no place for racism in sport and it must be called out. Everybody involved in sport has a role to play,” SIA CEO David Sharpe said.

As well as providing guidance, advice and educational tools, SIA also manages the National Integrity Framework (NIA).

The framework is a suite of policies adopted by most sports in Australia on an opt-in basis that outlines prohibited conduct and gives SIA the authority to independently manage complaints.

The SIA also provides a confidential hotline for people to report cases of racism.

“Racial harassment, discrimination and vilification have no place in Australian sport,” a SIA spokesperson said.

Indigenous dancers perform during a welcome to country before the round 15 NRL match between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park on June 11, 2023. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“Everyone should have the opportunity to be actively involved in whatever sport they choose, in whatever capacity they choose regardless of their race, skin colour or background.

“Everyone has a role to play in sport (and society) to call out racism when it occurs.

“As the national racism campaign by the Australian Human Rights Commission and Play by the Rules states ‘Racism - it stops with me’.”

The Australian Sports Commission have echoed the SIA’s position on racism - urging everyone to play their part.

“The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) believes that sport has a place for everyone, and that every person should be treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse,” an ASC spokesperson said.

“Racism has no place in sport. To promote more inclusive sport practices in our community, we have created tools and resources to help sports and clubs understand, recognise and celebrate inclusion and diversity.

“We believe sport should be safe, fair and inclusive for all and joined a number of professional sports organisations and venue operators in endorsing the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Spectator Racism Guidelines launched in 2021.

“The ASC is also a partner of Play by the Rules which provides information, resources, tools and free online training to assist administrators, coaches, officials, players and parents prevent and address discrimination and inclusion issues in sport.”

Previously reported

The mother of the boy at the centre of the alleged racial vilification incident said it was heartbreaking to see the effect it had on her son.

The ban was reduced to two years on appeal, angering Indigenous leaders in Toowoomba.

In September, the Highfields Eagles became the subject of a Toowoomba Rugby League probe, after a ‘Mad Monday’ celebration photo featuring people in what appears to be blackface was posted to social media.

TRL is currently following due process and the June 10 incident will go to a disciplinary review tribunal for investigation in line with QRL judicial guidelines.

Originally published as REVEALED: When league racism report will be finalised