No More founder Charlie King wants NTFL clubs to get background checks on players

The AFL must provide funding to help football clubs access the complete police history of new recruits, anti-violence campaigner Charlie King says.

The AFL must provide funding to help football clubs access the complete police history of new recruits, an anti-violence campaigner says.

It comes after NT Police confirmed it was investigating allegations a St Mary’s footballer had assaulted his former, 23-year-old partner.

No More founder Charlie King said local football clubs needed to enforce their Domestic Violence Action Plans (DVAP) more effectively, as part of their licensing agreements with peak body AFLNT.

The plans outline how each club would deal with acts of family violence and help track a recruit’s background.

However, King said some clubs had become bystanders and were not doing their due diligence.

“Some people write (their plan) and think that’s their bit,” King said.

“Clubs don’t give it the priority it deserves.

“It is to encourage them to check these players who join the club ... to make sure they’re not carrying out acts of violence.”

No More founder Charlie King says Territory football clubs needed to complete police checks on new recruits. Picture: Jason Walls

King said the AFL needed to provide financial support for clubs to access an “extreme background check” on new players.

“It is the responsibility of the club to pay for a police criminal history check on any new player that comes to play for them,” he said.

“That’s an extreme background check.

“It costs money to get a police history check.

“Whether the AFL puts the money there for the clubs to check, somebody’s got to do it.

“You’re putting your whole reputation at risk by putting on a player you haven’t soundly checked his background.

“You can’t have an axe murderer playing in your team if you’ve never checked him out.”

King said the damage to Australian football, the AFL, AFLNT and all Territory clubs had been “immeasurable” in recent days.

“Because it undermines the good work that everyone’s been doing in this area,” he said.

King said he had already spoken to the AFLNT about ways to implement measures to assist with the recruitment process of players.

King said he had been personally affected by allegations a St Mary’s footballer had assaulted his former partner. Picture: Michael Franchi.

“It fires me up,” he said.

King also said any player who had been accused of family or domestic violence should not be allowed to play.

“They’ll sit down and plan matches on how they’re going to win every week ... but they never sit down and work out plans on how they’re going to make all their players feel safe,” he said.

“And with more women playing, it’s even more dangerous.”

Speaking generally, King said he was frustrated some players were given free reign simply due to their superior talents.

“These blokes just waltz in because they can kick a footy, it just frustrates me, it annoys me so much,” he said.

“Only one team wins the premiership but every team wins if they have a strong Domestic Violence Action Plan that makes the reputation of the club safe, and the women who are part of that club are safe as well.”