Ardmona’s A-grade netball team torn apart by racist attack

An outrageous racial attack has torn apart a top-flight netball team and threatens to fracture the small farming town in regional Victoria.

Ten Ardmona netballers have walked out on the club after racist remarks made by a teammate. Picture: Jason Edwards

AN outrageous racial attack has ripped apart a top-flight west Shepparton netball team after 10 Indigenous players quit in protest.

One player with Ardmona’s A-grade netball team has been suspended pending an inquiry and 10 devastated Indigenous players have quit the club after being called “Abos”.

They were also told that if they could change their skin colour, the team might get more favourable calls from the umpire.

The attack was made by one of their teammates in a game against Shepparton East on July 10. That player has received “severe punishment” from the club.

A spokeswoman from the group allegedly attacked said they were disgusted.

“My heart was broken as soon as I heard the words come out of her mouth,” said the woman, who asked not to be named.

“When we were leaving the ground she told us it was a joke. We tried educating her on why what she said was the wrong thing.

“She told us we were overreacting to her comments.”

Ardmona has made headlines since Hawthorn legend Shane Crawford started coaching the senior football team this year.

Ardmona, a Kyabram District League club, said it had launched an investigation and “racism will not be tolerated”.

In a statement posted to Facebook, it said it was taking the allegations “very seriously”.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these players because of the actions of one player,” it read.

“Ardmona Football Netball Club takes racism very seriously and will not tolerate this sort of behaviour.

“The club is doing everything possible to stomp out all racism and conduct the investigation into this incident and we are confused to see posts accusing the club of racism.”

The victims suggested an all-Indigenous team but the club rejected the idea.

“We were told it would be discriminatory against the person who made the remarks,” she said.

The group was also told to not approach their attacker at training last Thursday.

“We decided to withdraw from the club then and there,” the spokesperson said.

In a letter written to the victims from the Ardmona club — seen by the Goulburn Valley News — it says the accused had admitted to the offence.

The club said the executive committee had “issued an immediate and severe punishment” to reflect the severity of the offence.

“Racism will not and has never been tolerated at the Ardmona Football Netball Club,” the letter read.

“We are truly saddened that the actions of one player has been turned around to reflect on the whole club.

“The committee has and will always support all players to achieve both person and physical goals.

“We hope our prompt action on this matter will allay your concerns about the eagerness of the club to deal with unacceptable behaviours and reassure you that Ardmona Football Netball Club will continue to strive to be a club in which everyone can feel safe and supported.”

Ardmona was contacted for further comment.