MEMBERS of the Bathurst Bushrangers AFL club will undergo sensitivity training after female players who failed to kick a goal in the 2017 season were sent on a nudie run - some against their will - at the club’s post-premiership celebrations last month.
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The women’s team won their grand final match on September 2 and at the post-match celebrations held at the club, any female players who had not kicked a goal this year had to run around the oval naked.
A complaint was made to AFL NSW who investigated the matter and confirmed that members at the club would undergo education and training to prevent it happening again.
AFL NSW said on Wednesday their investigations revealed some of the players didn’t feel comfortable about the incident. Others said they felt pressured while some participated in the nudie run voluntarily.
The spokesperson said the incident was not intended to offend, intimidate or humiliate anyone but was instead a poor error of judgment.
“But if one person feels uncomfortable, that’s one person too many,” the spokesperson said.
As this is the first reported incident against the club, which was described by AFL NSW as a significant driver of AFL in the region, as well as the most successful club, both on and off the field, no disciplinary action will be taken, instead its members will be educated to prevent a similar incident occurring.
AFL NSW said the incident was not behaviour it condones.
“AFL NSW prides itself on the inclusion of everyone; particularly women,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s very important the game engages with females in both an administrative and playing sense.
“We strive to provide a community environment and this behavior doesn’t hold up. We have moved past this, this behaviour is not acceptable.”
AFL NSW said it had taken statements from the club and those who were involved.
“The club has been very co-operative. Ultimately it has been determined that the conduct is not what we would expect.
“We’ve been working with club directly and educators from AFL NSW will work with its members to make sure this doesn’t happen again and they understand the impact something like this can have on individuals.”
AFL NSW has also responded to other incidents across the state including racial discrimination and homophobia.