South Gawler Football Club bans all female players, ending team’s finals chances

After a shock ban on all female players last weekend, a letter from a northern suburbs club president sheds light on the decision, but parents and players want further answers.

Parents and players are demanding answers after a northern suburbs footy club banned its own teams from taking the field last weekend.

South Gawler Football Club executive committee issued a letter to all female players and members advising its under 13s, under 16s and senior teams would be banned from playing last weekend.

The letter, penned by the club president, Cosie Costa, said the decision was made due to the “constant neglect of (their) expectations as set out in the SGFC Code of Conduct by a combination of players, coaches and supporters.”

The club received the support of the Barossa Light and Gawler Football Women’s Executive as well as the Association to impose a one-week suspension after a “significant increase in non-compliance behaviour” and to “show how serious (they) are about this unwanted behaviour.”

“We are not at all happy with this process, but the integrity of our club is paramount and requires us to do everything possible, even if they are harsh and difficult, to ensure we maintain the highest level possible,” the letter said.

A mum with a daughter in the under-13’s team, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed her frustration and the disheartened state of the female players.

South Gawler women's football team were banned from taking the field last weekend and now players and parents are demanding further answers.. Picture Supplied

“My daughter has poured her heart into this sport and this club, and to see her punished for the actions of others has been incredibly painful,” she said.

“She joined SGFC to find a second family — a place where she felt supported, seen, and inspired. Instead, this blanket suspension has made her feel overlooked and undervalued, despite always upholding the standards expected of her.

The frustrated mother said the parents and players “just want answers” and “want the girls to be given a chance at the round they deserved to play”.

“I just feel like it is such an injustice to the female side of football,” she told the Advertiser

“It’s something that the league supported but if you’ve got a problem with behaviour within your club you need to follow your process of disciplinary action towards the people causing it, not just the whole female side.”

The mum said her family made the difficult decision to leave the club, along with several other members, after the “lack of transparency” and “emotional toll” caused by the club and the external bodies involved.

“We didn’t sign up for this kind of leadership,” she said.

“My daughter deserved better, and so did every other player who gave their all and followed the rules.”

South Gawler women's football team. Picture Supplied

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous as well, told the Advertiser that they were “disappointed” at the lack of clear response from the executive bodies.

“The letter was vague, there were no names, no specific incidents, and no one from our team has been spoken to or warned about anything,” they said.

“These girls show up, train hard, and play because they love footy — and now they’re all being punished without reason.”

Additionally, the suspension last weekend robbed the under-13 girls team their last chance to play to be able to compete for the finals — a decision that the parents are calling ‘unfair’.

“We’ve asked the club, BLGW, and SANFL for answers — what actually happened, who was involved, and why no one got a warning or chance to respond,” they said.

“If it’s that serious, why can’t they name anyone? Punishing every player when they admit they can’t pinpoint a single person isn’t fair.

“This decision shouldn’t have been backed, and we’re calling for a rematch. The girls deserve to play, deserve a chance to make finals and the comp deserves better.”

South Gawler Football Club did not elaborate on what caused the ban when contacted by The Advertiser, citing it to be an “internal matter”.

The Advertiser have also contacted the Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association for comment.

The suspension has been lifted and the female players and teams will return to play football again this weekend.

Originally published as South Gawler Football Club bans all female players, ending team’s finals chances