AFLW 2021: Collingwood AFLW co-captain Steph Chiocci apologises for historic ‘redface’ photographs
Collingwood has referenced its ‘Do Better’ report in supporting an apology from Steph Chiocci after historic ‘redface’ photos of the Pies’ AFLW co-captain surfaced.
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Collingwood has supported an apology from its AFLW co-captain Steph Chiocci after historical “redface” photos from one of her social media accounts surfaced.
More than 10 months on from the release of the club’s ‘Do Better Report’ confronting racism, images of Chiocci dressed in Native American clothing and warpaint for a costume party in 2010 have emerged.
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In the photos, first obtained by the ABC and retrieved from her Facebook profile, Chiocci had darkened her face and wore red paint and Native American costume as she posed with a friend.
Collingwood said it supported Chiocci’s apology, referencing the club’s report into racism and the club’s bid to learn from the past and enact change.
“Collingwood supports the apology offered today by Steph Chiocci,” the club said in a statement.
“We cannot Do Better unless we learn from the past and commit to constructive change.
“At Collingwood we support our people to do this because doing so will make us all better.
“We must all look back, learn and act with greater understanding.”
Chiocci, now 32 and a stalwart of the club’s AFLW program, issued an apology for any hurt caused by the photos.
She said she would “not think” to wear such a costume now.
“In 2010, I was a young suburban footballer. I attended a fancy-dress party in that year,” Chiocci told the ABC.
“Today, I am aware of the concept of cultural appropriation and the hurt that can be caused by such appropriation. I was not then.
“I would not think to wear the same costume today.
“I apologise for any and all offence.”
Chiocci, a schoolteacher, has played for the Mapies since the start of the AFLW in 2017.
The emergence of the photos comes after Collingwood released its “CFC Do Better Report” after an independent review into the club’s culture and responses to incidents of racism in February this year.
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