Representative coach makes racially-fuelled comment to junior players

A Victorian junior football league has removed one of its coaches after they made a racially-charged attempt at humour during training.

A FDJFL interleague coach was sacked over a racial-charged attempt at humour.

A junior football league in Melbourne’s south east has dismissed one of its coaches after they made a “totally inappropriate and racial” comment to the playing group.

A Frankston and District Junior Football League assistant coach made a racially-charged attempt at humour to over half of the under-17 interleague training squad last month.

In an email seen by this masthead, the FDJFL informed players and parents of the coach’s immediate dismissal.

“Unfortunately, during the latter stages of the 1st session last week one of the assistant coaches has made the decision to tell a rotation group of about 12 to 15 boys what they deemed a joke,” the email read.

“The content of this was totally inappropriate and racial in nature.

“Naturally this made many of the players uncomfortable and subsequently on Friday we were informed of the incident.

“We have identified the coach involved and they have admitted to the incident.

“As a result we have removed them from the coaching group effective immediately and AFL Victoria will be following up with the individual in regards to any further steps.

“We apologise for any distress this may have caused the players/families and we would like to offer any support should they wish to discuss further.”

A FDJFL interleague coach was sacked over an unacceptable attempt at humour.

FDJFL director of coaching Paddy Swayn addressed the playing group and praised the players’ courage to “call out’’ the assistant coach.

“I was happy the players spoke up,’’ he said.

“For 16 year old kids in an interleague program to have the confidence to call it out, that was the positive to come out of a negative situation.

“Some kids, especially in an interleague program, will go, ‘is that normal? I’ve just got to ride along with it because I want to get a game’, or they might think it might jeopardise their chances of getting a game if they speak up.

“So I’m actually quite happy the environment is good enough that the kids felt they could speak up.’’

FDJFL coaching director Paddy Swayn praised the players for calling out the assistant coach’s behaviour.

FDJFL president Fraser Bayne echoed Swayn’s comments, saying it showed the league’s anti-racism education programs were working.

“There is a zero tolerance and they’re happy to call it out, so that was a real positive,’’ Bayne said.

“The negative is that it happened, it shouldn’t have happened, but the positive was the kids called it out and we were able to address it swiftly and move forward, and make sure that they’re aware of the acceptable standards.’’

It’s understood AFL Victoria is investigating the coach’s accreditation.

AFL Victoria has been contacted for comment.