Sam Newman ‘couldn’t care less‘if Geelong Grammar School removes him as patron of its Newman Club

Former Cat and AFL personality Sam Newman says he “couldn’t care less” if Geelong Grammar renames its elite football club following his controversial comments.

Sam Newman.

AFL personality Sam Newman says he “couldn’t care less” whether Geelong Grammar School renames its elite football training program following his controversial Welcome to Country remarks.

The Newman Club is the school’s key AFL training program and was named in joint honour of Sam Newman and his father Noel in 1980.

Newman, who also played 300 games for Geelong Football Club and is a former club captain, is listed as patron of the Newman Club.

Newman has been at the centre of controversy in recent weeks after he called for fans to boo the Welcome to Country at the AFL finals.

The comments were met with widespread condemnation from former premier Daniel Andrews and AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.

Last week, Newman watered down his comments, and said he wouldn’t boo the Welcome to Country during the grand final, but maintained he disagreed with the tradition and believed it to be “extravagant”.

“(The Welcome to Country has) gone overboard and the social elites are only trying to plicate their own white prejudice by feeling virtuous that they keep going on and on with this,” Newman said on his podcast.

Geelong Grammar declined to comment.

According to Geelong Grammar School’s website, the school has had an Indigenous program in place for almost 20 years and is committed to creating a culturally responsive school.

The school’s website and 2020-2022 Reconciliation Action Plan both state it holds smoking ceremonies combined with a Welcome to Country at significant school events.

This comes as Geelong Grammar School chose not to respond to the Geelong Advertiser’s request for comment. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Newman said: “I’m into reconciliation too, but having to endure the patronizing (sic) pomposity of a ritual designed to do exactly the opposite by dividing ALL us Australians is cringe-worthy”.

“Welcome to whose Country?

“I couldn’t care less what Geelong Grammar do with their feigned virtuosity and in any case, “The Newman Club was named after my Father, in case you didn’t know, and he’s not responsible for my opinions.”

Local Indigenous groups Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation declined to comment.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and state Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams did not respond to requests for comment.

Originally published as Sam Newman ‘couldn’t care less‘if Geelong Grammar School removes him as patron of its Newman Club