Queensland rugby league body investigating vilification claims after shocking slur, indigenous players unit to call for life ban

Toowoomba Rugby League chairman confirms a person who alledgedly breached code of conduct by verbally attacking indigenous player will face judgement.

The man alledged to have verbally attacked an Indigenous player is set to face the Toowoomba Rugby League tribunal on August 18.

Internal investigations identified the person who alledgedly breached the Code of Conduct during the during the Pittsworth and Gatton A-grade game on August 7.

TRL chairman Joe Hannant will be joined by QRL Indigenous Advisory Committee co-chair and highly respected community leader Eddie Monaei at a press conference on August 19 to share the outcomes of the tribunal.

All too familiar

As shocking as it was watching the footage of a man hurling a racial slur towards an on-field player at a Toowoomba Rugby League game, it was all too familiar for proud Indigenous man Josh Stanton.

“It was just disgraceful,” the veteran TRL player said, reacting to the now infamous video filmed at a match between Pittsworth and Gatton last weekend.

“I’ve been playing in the TRL since 2007, and I’ve copped a bit in the crowd.

“To hear that’s still going on is sad.”

Stanton will run out in a special First Nations jersey on Saturday when Newtown plays Brothers, in a match that has become the focal point of a united stand against racism in the sport in the wake of last weekend’s incident.

TRL players (from left) Dennis Burgoyne, Cydnee Young, Zac Alberts, Rhiannon Melville, Josh Stanton, Cory McGrady, Morgan Melville and Geoffrey Prince take a stand against racism in the game. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hundreds of players, officials, coaches, volunteers and parents from all clubs have urged the TRL to ban the person in question, understood to be a Pittsworth club official, for life from rugby league.

The video in question shows the official yelling “shut up you b---- c---”, which was followed by laughter from the crowd.

It is understood the person has been identified to the TRL and will front the judiciary next week.

Leading the charge are presidents Lizzie Adams (Brothers), Janet Suey (Newtown) and Brendan Dolan (Oakey Bears), whose clubs feature multicultural and multiethnic playing groups.

Ms Adams, who called the behaviour “atrocious”, said the Brothers-Newtown match would pay tribute to the competition’s First Nations participants.

TRL presidents (from left) Janet Suey (Newtown), Lizzie Adams (Brothers) and Brendan Dolan (Oakey Bears) want action from the TRL.

The match will include a Welcome To Country, speeches on reconciliation and a minute’s silence to honour the recent passing of former TRL and Queensland Cup player Michael Purcell.

“We’ll be êue by wearing Indigenous players,” Ms Adam said.

“All clubs are on board, we had one that was questioning but once it was explained they’re on board as well.

“The (Brothers) board has been great, and the contacts from presidents, A-grade coaches and players have been phenomenal and it gives us the courage to push forward to make sure we get the right outcome.”

Brothers player Rhiannon Melville talks about racism in sport. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Adams said a lifetime ban was the only satisfactory punishment, as it would send a clear message racist behaviour was not acceptable.

“If we don’t get the right penalty for it, we will be pushing for a life ban, and also when you look at the TRL as a whole, every organisation has a process for complaints, so maybe they need to review that,” she said.

“If we want to be able to come to these fields and feel safe, no matter what our race, you’ve got to make change.

“We contribute to the TRL and our clubs.

“We have big families and they pay to come through the gate, they eat from the canteens, they buy from the bar, they participate and they follow, so every club benefits from the “blacks” as they call us.”

Oakey Bears official Wesley Aumau, who is of Samoan descent, said the incident was a good opportunity to help stamp out racism from rugby league.

“I understand this incident doesn’t reflect on the whole of the Pittsworth club, but it’s the best chance to address the issue and eliminate it from our game,” he said.

“We have a lot of young Pacific Islander and Indigenous kids on the come-up, and I know for sure that these are the things you don’t want your kids to still face.

The TRL released a statement on social media after the footage emerged on Wednesday evening.

“We are an inclusive sport, and we pride ourselves on our diversity,” TRL chairman Joe Hannant said.

“The TRL Disciplinary Tribunal will investigate the allegations as a matter of urgency.”

Mr Hannant was contacted for further comment.

LEAGUE PLAYERS, PRESIDENTS SHOCKED BY VIDEO

Players and Presidents in the Toowoomba Rugby League are calling for a man to receive a life ban from games after video emerged of a man racially vilifying an on field player.

The TRL is investigating racial vilification claims after shocking footage emerged on camera at a Toowoomba fixture.

In footage obtained by News Corp Australia from what is believed to be a Gatton Hawks and Pittsworth Danes match a person can be heard saying “shut up you b---- c---,” seemingly in reference to a player on the field.

“I cannot believe in this day and age that this type of thing is still happening,” A furious Brothers Rugby League Club president Lizzie Adams said.

“It is absolutely atrocious behaviour.

“I’m speaking up because I want to defend the Aboriginal kids, men and women in rugby league not just here (Toowoomba) but everywhere.

“Imagine being a young player and hearing this at a game, the type of damage these words could do … it’s scary to think about.

“I just hope the TRL and QRL punish this person severely, we will not accept anything less than a life ban for the person, there’s absolutely no place for this disgusting behaviour.”

Nathan Gaulton, Brothers player and Lizzie Adams, President of Brothers rugby league club. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Brothers player Nathan Gaulton has called on clubs and athletes to unite against racism by standing down in protest this weekend.

“I’ve reached out to A-grade coaches and players through phone calls and my Instagram,” Mr Gaulton said.

From a poll on Thursday Mr Gaulton said about 90 per cent of people would back players not taking to the field this weekend to send a message.

“I’m disappointed and disgusted, we’ve come so far but then we hear something like us and it sets everything back.

“There’s no place for racism.”

The TRL released a statement on social media after the footage emerged on Wednesday evening.

“We are an inclusive sport, and we pride ourselves on our diversity,” TRL chairman Joe Hannant said.

“The TRL Disciplinary Tribunal will investigate the allegations as a matter of urgency.”

Mr Hannant said any form of racism or vilification “will not be tolerated in our game” and the person at the centre of the comments will front the Toowoomba Rugby League judiciary next Thursday.

It is not clear whether the comment could be heard by players and spectators.

“The person in question has been identified and has received a letter to appear before the judiciary next Thursday in line with the procedures we have in place,” Mr Hannant said.

“There is simply no place for this type of behaviour in society or sport.

“We have worked hard for years to promote diversity and inclusivity in our competition and it is very, very disappointing to think the irresponsible actions of someone could damage all that work.

“We do not condone this type of behaviour in any way shape or form.”