Is The AFL Racist?

[pussycat]

AFL clubs' unwritten rule on Aborigines Michael Gleeson
March 16, 2012

Arrested last week ... Liam Jurrah. Photo: Getty Images
AT LEAST one AFL club recruiter has privately admitted to the league that he and his club would be unlikely to draft an
indigenous player unless at least one parent were white.
Some clubs have also told the AFL they were now more reluctant than ever about recruiting Aboriginal players because they provided a difficult management issue. Other clubs, however, remain firmly committed to recruiting Aboriginal players.

The AFL approached several recruiters recently to talk in general terms about rumours of unease at some clubs about recruiting indigenous players, and the drop in the number of indigenous players in the game this year. There are 80 indigenous Australians on AFL lists this year, down from 85 in each of the past two years.

Advertisement: Story continues below The complexity of the varied cultural backgrounds that AFL players come from was brought into sharp focus by the arrest in Yuendumu of Melbourne player Liam Jurrah for an alleged assault with a machete last week.

Jason Mifsud, the AFL's community engagement manager, confirmed there was a disturbing attitude existing at some clubs. ''I have had direct conversations with a number of recruiting officers. A recruiter from one club told me that 'unless they have a white parent we are not going to draft an Aboriginal player, and our club would not be alone in that.' That is a mindset that is permeating back through parts of the industry.

Fortunately, there are still many clubs that embrace Aboriginal talent," said Mifsud, whose role includes managing indigenous affairs.



Mifsud warned that if the attitude achieved a stronger foothold the AFL would "turn 180 degrees and within five years we would have undone 15 years of hard work and progress".

"When people start talking about race as part of a recruiting decision, and then splitting that out to be a question of mixed race, fundamentally people are going into areas they have no idea about. It is ignorant and offensive," he said.

Mifsud said the naivety of some attitudes meant that, "If you are too black you are not going to get drafted, and in [places such as] Warrnambool, you are not black enough so you are not going to get drafted."

Mifsud said AFL had been the rarity in Australian society in that it gave Aboriginal people a sense of identity and inclusiveness.

"The one vehicle this country has had in the last 15 years to elevate, celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity is football, and if that door is going to start to get shut on us then we are going to fight and scratch to keep it open. Because if these prevailing mindsets are as strong as we hear they are, we must fight to change them."


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/AFL/AFL ... z1xGfNoM1j

[Xman]

MATT Rendell insists his now-infamous comment about only drafting Aboriginal players with at least one white parent was simply an example of what could occur if the AFL did not immediately help remedy the high attrition rate **** young indigenous players.

"I'd be mortified if there was one out of 500 who thought I was a racist."
Rendell said he had made the comment when Mifsud made an unannounced visit to Adelaide in January. He said he used the opportunity to float a policy based on the experience of Hawthorn dynamo Cyril Rioli, who was educated in Melbourne before he was drafted. Rendell told Mifsud it was essential to create a program where the top 30 under-16 indigenous players of every year were given scholarships to study in Melbourne as a means of preparing them for the strictly regimented life of a modern AFL footballer.
"I said to 'Jase' [Mifsud] that the attrition rate was too high at the moment. He agreed that there were too many indigenous players dropping out of the system. I said, 'I've got my theories, tell me if you reckon I'm right'," Rendell said. When he then declared indigenous players generally came from more laidback families and were "not prepared for AFL life as others . . . he [Mifsud] said, 'That's a fair assumption of Aboriginal life' ".
"I was using that as a basis for an idea I had to help more indigenous players stay in the system. I want every kid to play 10 years no matter where they are from," he said. "I said to Jason there is a serious issue that needs to be addressed right now. It was a throwaway line — a ridiculous line — but I said you might find we only recruit players with only one white parent.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/AFL/AFL-news/s ... z1xGjfbxT2

How stupid are you! A single recruiter makes a comment about the difficulties faced by indiginous players in a professional sport, never intending for it to be racist in any way, and he gets shown the door for even hinting at a racist comment.

If anything this shows the AFL is over sensitive to racist issues, and certainly not racist in any way.

[pussycat]

The Article that I highlighted says "AT LEAST ONE"

The person in question indicated - a club recruiter - that others had similar views.

[Xman]

The Article that I highlighted says "AT LEAST ONE"

The person in question indicated - a club recruiter - that others had similar views.

Yeah, sure they had similar views to him. They agreed with the issue he raised. He never said he didnt want to recruit indigenous Australians. He said that the professionalism of leagues like the AFL were a huge cultural change for many indiginous recruits and unless they were offered more support many would drop out questioning their recruitment in the first place.

I simpleton like yourself might make this out to be a racist issue but it's quite the opposite. It raised an important issue which needed to be discussed, and has had a great deal of attention since, including the support of many current indiginous AFL players like Cyril Rioli.

[King-Eliagh]

Why is there a list stateing players cultural backgrounds? Is this for segregational purposes


Fair dinkum though, Even I must admit this whole AFL racism thing is absurd... totally ridiculous. The AFL does'nt care what a players skin colour is.To suggest otrerwise is just plain WRONG!























Just As Long As One Of there parents Is White

Hilarious!

[pussycat]

I didn't make the comment one of your AFL lovers did. As far as I'm aware the' one white parent' policy doesnt exist in the NRL.

You can make all the excuses you like, but its a racist comment and indicates that AFL is a racist and backward thinking organisation led by people like demetriou, Eddy. People that make the club policies that are carried out by there lackies such as Rendell etc.!

[King-Eliagh]

AFL/VFL Players With A Multicultural Background
Albania: Adam Yze

Austria/Ukraine: Alex Jesaulenko

Brazil/Congo: Heritier O'BrienBarbados Joshua Gibson (Barbadian father)

Canada: Mike Pyke

Chile: Jose Romero, Daniel Segovia

China: George Tansing, Wally Koochew (Carlton), Les Kew Ming (North Melbourne)

Croatia: Adrian Barich, Alan Didak, Marc Dragicevic, Jon Dorotich ,Damien Gaspar, Darren Gaspar, Travis Gaspar, Brent Grgic, Ilija Grgic, Allen Jakovich, Glen Jakovich, Stephen Jurica, Ivan Maric, Matthew Pavlich, Val Perovic, Steven Salopek, Craig Starcevich, Peter Sumich, Jacob Surjan, Scott Watters

Cyprus: Andrew and James Demetriou

England: Clive Waterhouse, Brad Moran

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Nick Malceski, Peter Berbakov, Mark Nicoski, John Gastev, Peter Daicos, John Rombotis, Jason Trianides

Fiji: David Rodan, Setanta Ãhailpã¬n (Fijian mother), Alipate Carlile, Nick Naitanui

Germany: Carl Ditterich, Ray Gabelich, Fraser Gehrig, Justin Koschitzke, Stewart Loewe, David Mensch, David Neitz, Nick Riewoldt, Andrew Schauble, Adam Schneider, Jacob Schuback, David Schwarz, Wayne Schwass, Jason Snell, Carl Steinfort, Tyson Stenglein, Michael Voss, Brett Voss, Murray Weidemann

Greece: Ang Christou, James Condos, Josh Francou, Paul Koulouriotis, Anthony Koutoufides, Angelo Lekkas, Zeno Tzatsaris, Spiro & Tony Malakelis, Athas Hrysoulakis, Con Gorozidis, Peter Kanis, Spiro Kourkoumelis, Andrew Lukimitis, Steve Malaxos, Daniel Metropolis, Albert, Alby, Charlie Pannam & Vasil Varlamos

India: Balraj Singh, Jade Cleary, Daniel Kerr (Indian Father), Liam Kelly (Indian Father) 

Ireland: Dermott Brereton, Sean Denham, Tadhg Kennelly, Dermott McNicholl, Rick Olarenshaw, Brian Stynes, Jim Stynes, Setanta Ãhailpã¬n (Irish father, Fijian mother), Sean Wight, Colm Begley

Italy: Steven Alessio, Ron Barassi Sr, Ron Barassi Jr, Scott Camporeale, Matthew Capuano, Blake Caracella, Andrew Carrazzo, Vin Catoggio, Nick Dal Santo, Danny Delre, Brett Deledio, Andrew Dimattina, Paul Dimattina, Robert Dipierdomenico, Brendan Fevola, Anthony Franchina, Daniel Giansiracusa, Brent Guerra, Anthony Koutoufides (Italian mother, Greek father), Tony Liberatore, Paul Licuria (Italian father, Spanish mother), Phil Manassa, Al Martello, Peter Matera (Italian father, Aboriginal mother), Phillip Matera (Italian father, Aboriginal mother), Wally Matera (Italian father, Aboriginal mother), Mark Mercuri, Mark Merenda, Joe Misiti, Leigh Montagna, Romano Negri, Mark Ricciuto, Guy Rigoni, Michael Rischitelli, Anthony Rocca, Saverio Rocca, Sergio Silvagni, Stephen Silvagni, Andrew Leoncelli

Japan: Sean Yoshiura

Latvia: Adam Ramanauskas (Palestinian Grandfather)

Lebanon: Bachar Houli, Milham Hanna

Netherlands: Paul Van Der Haar, Richard Vandenberg

New Zealand: Trent Croad, Wayne Schwass, Donald Dickie and Daniel Mcalister

Papua New Guinea: Mal Michael, James Gwilt (Papua New Guinean mother)

Poland: Brian Sierakowski, David Sierakowski, David Wojcinski

Samoa: Aaron Edwards, Thomas Caldow

Scotland: Heath Scotland, Neil Roberts

Singapore: Paul Medhurst

South Africa: Damian Cupido, Ian Muller

South Korea: Peter Bell

Spain: Paul Licuria (Italian father, Spanish mother)

Sudan: Majak Daw

Switzerland: Henri Jennert
Thailand: Sudjai Cook (Adelaide Crows)

Turkey: Sedat Sir

Ukraine: Alex Jesaulenko, Steven Kolyniuk, Steven Kretiuk, Shane Woewodin

USA: Dwayne Armstrong, Don Pyke (West Coast Eagles), Sandford Wheeler, Shae McNamara

Wales: John Mccarthy (North Melbourne/Fitzroy)

Zimbabwe: Stephen Lawrence (Hawthorn)

Here's some facts. You should try some.

Oh and Xman if you ever made the AFL you'd be in there two

Gondwanaland cave: Xman (Essendon)

Xman we're talking about recent immigrants i.e since the 1960's and we're talking about those who are not from an anglo background. So where's your stupid list end up when we take these out? Country miles behind RL, that's where.

[King-Eliagh]

MATT Rendell insists his now-infamous comment about only drafting Aboriginal players with at least one white parent was simply an example of what could occur if the AFL did not immediately help remedy the high attrition rate **** young indigenous players.

"I'd be mortified if there was one out of 500 who thought I was a racist."
Rendell said he had made the comment when Mifsud made an unannounced visit to Adelaide in January. He said he used the opportunity to float a policy based on the experience of Hawthorn dynamo Cyril Rioli, who was educated in Melbourne before he was drafted. Rendell told Mifsud it was essential to create a program where the top 30 under-16 indigenous players of every year were given scholarships to study in Melbourne as a means of preparing them for the strictly regimented life of a modern AFL footballer.
"I said to 'Jase' [Mifsud] that the attrition rate was too high at the moment. He agreed that there were too many indigenous players dropping out of the system. I said, 'I've got my theories, tell me if you reckon I'm right'," Rendell said. When he then declared indigenous players generally came from more laidback families and were "not prepared for AFL life as others . . . he [Mifsud] said, 'That's a fair assumption of Aboriginal life' ".
"I was using that as a basis for an idea I had to help more indigenous players stay in the system. I want every kid to play 10 years no matter where they are from," he said. "I said to Jason there is a serious issue that needs to be addressed right now. It was a throwaway line — a ridiculous line — but I said you might find we only recruit players with only one white parent.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/AFL/AFL-news/s ... z1xGjfbxT2

How stupid are you! A single recruiter makes a comment about the difficulties faced by indiginous players in a professional sport, never intending for it to be racist in any way, and he gets shown the door for even hinting at a racist comment.

If anything this shows the AFL is over sensitive to racist issues, and certainly not racist in any way.

No Xman its you who is the stupid git. The fact the racist mofo "never intended it to be racist" is no excuse. Seriously if the AFL are content having staffers who do not understand that this öne white parent comment" is exactly the same racist attitude which led to the stolen generations, then the organisation should be shut down. Thank god Xman's not running the AFL, looks like he'd condone this sort of trash

Give yourself an uppercut Xman

[Xman]

AFL/VFL Players With A Multicultural Background
Albania: Adam Yze

Austria/Ukraine: Alex Jesaulenko

Brazil/Congo: Heritier O'BrienBarbados Joshua Gibson (Barbadian father)

Canada: Mike Pyke

Chile: Jose Romero, Daniel Segovia

China: George Tansing, Wally Koochew (Carlton), Les Kew Ming (North Melbourne)

Croatia: Adrian Barich, Alan Didak, Marc Dragicevic, Jon Dorotich ,Damien Gaspar, Darren Gaspar, Travis Gaspar, Brent Grgic, Ilija Grgic, Allen Jakovich, Glen Jakovich, Stephen Jurica, Ivan Maric, Matthew Pavlich, Val Perovic, Steven Salopek, Craig Starcevich, Peter Sumich, Jacob Surjan, Scott Watters

Cyprus: Andrew and James Demetriou

England: Clive Waterhouse, Brad Moran

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Nick Malceski, Peter Berbakov, Mark Nicoski, John Gastev, Peter Daicos, John Rombotis, Jason Trianides

Fiji: David Rodan, Setanta Ãhailpã¬n (Fijian mother), Alipate Carlile, Nick Naitanui

Germany: Carl Ditterich, Ray Gabelich, Fraser Gehrig, Justin Koschitzke, Stewart Loewe, David Mensch, David Neitz, Nick Riewoldt, Andrew Schauble, Adam Schneider, Jacob Schuback, David Schwarz, Wayne Schwass, Jason Snell, Carl Steinfort, Tyson Stenglein, Michael Voss, Brett Voss, Murray Weidemann

Greece: Ang Christou, James Condos, Josh Francou, Paul Koulouriotis, Anthony Koutoufides, Angelo Lekkas, Zeno Tzatsaris, Spiro & Tony Malakelis, Athas Hrysoulakis, Con Gorozidis, Peter Kanis, Spiro Kourkoumelis, Andrew Lukimitis, Steve Malaxos, Daniel Metropolis, Albert, Alby, Charlie Pannam & Vasil Varlamos

India: Balraj Singh, Jade Cleary, Daniel Kerr (Indian Father), Liam Kelly (Indian Father) 

Ireland: Dermott Brereton, Sean Denham, Tadhg Kennelly, Dermott McNicholl, Rick Olarenshaw, Brian Stynes, Jim Stynes, Setanta Ãhailpã¬n (Irish father, Fijian mother), Sean Wight, Colm Begley

Italy: Steven Alessio, Ron Barassi Sr, Ron Barassi Jr, Scott Camporeale, Matthew Capuano, Blake Caracella, Andrew Carrazzo, Vin Catoggio, Nick Dal Santo, Danny Delre, Brett Deledio, Andrew Dimattina, Paul Dimattina, Robert Dipierdomenico, Brendan Fevola, Anthony Franchina, Daniel Giansiracusa, Brent Guerra, Anthony Koutoufides (Italian mother, Greek father), Tony Liberatore, Paul Licuria (Italian father, Spanish mother), Phil Manassa, Al Martello, Peter Matera (Italian father, Aboriginal mother), Phillip Matera (Italian father, Aboriginal mother), Wally Matera (Italian father, Aboriginal mother), Mark Mercuri, Mark Merenda, Joe Misiti, Leigh Montagna, Romano Negri, Mark Ricciuto, Guy Rigoni, Michael Rischitelli, Anthony Rocca, Saverio Rocca, Sergio Silvagni, Stephen Silvagni, Andrew Leoncelli

Japan: Sean Yoshiura

Latvia: Adam Ramanauskas (Palestinian Grandfather)

Lebanon: Bachar Houli, Milham Hanna

Netherlands: Paul Van Der Haar, Richard Vandenberg

New Zealand: Trent Croad, Wayne Schwass, Donald Dickie and Daniel Mcalister

Papua New Guinea: Mal Michael, James Gwilt (Papua New Guinean mother)

Poland: Brian Sierakowski, David Sierakowski, David Wojcinski

Samoa: Aaron Edwards, Thomas Caldow

Scotland: Heath Scotland, Neil Roberts

Singapore: Paul Medhurst

South Africa: Damian Cupido, Ian Muller

South Korea: Peter Bell

Spain: Paul Licuria (Italian father, Spanish mother)

Sudan: Majak Daw

Switzerland: Henri Jennert
Thailand: Sudjai Cook (Adelaide Crows)

Turkey: Sedat Sir

Ukraine: Alex Jesaulenko, Steven Kolyniuk, Steven Kretiuk, Shane Woewodin

USA: Dwayne Armstrong, Don Pyke (West Coast Eagles), Sandford Wheeler, Shae McNamara

Wales: John Mccarthy (North Melbourne/Fitzroy)

Zimbabwe: Stephen Lawrence (Hawthorn)

Here's some facts. You should try some.

Oh and Xman if you ever made the AFL you'd be in there two

Gondwanaland cave: Xman (Essendon)

Xman we're talking about recent immigrants i.e since the 1960's and we're talking about those who are not from an anglo background. So where's your stupid list end up when we take these out? Country miles behind RL, that's where.

Recent immigrants to Australia: Sudanese, Asian, Indian, Sri lankan.

Please show me a list of players in the NRL from these nations......

[Xman]

MATT Rendell insists his now-infamous comment about only drafting Aboriginal players with at least one white parent was simply an example of what could occur if the AFL did not immediately help remedy the high attrition rate **** young indigenous players.

"I'd be mortified if there was one out of 500 who thought I was a racist."
Rendell said he had made the comment when Mifsud made an unannounced visit to Adelaide in January. He said he used the opportunity to float a policy based on the experience of Hawthorn dynamo Cyril Rioli, who was educated in Melbourne before he was drafted. Rendell told Mifsud it was essential to create a program where the top 30 under-16 indigenous players of every year were given scholarships to study in Melbourne as a means of preparing them for the strictly regimented life of a modern AFL footballer.
"I said to 'Jase' [Mifsud] that the attrition rate was too high at the moment. He agreed that there were too many indigenous players dropping out of the system. I said, 'I've got my theories, tell me if you reckon I'm right'," Rendell said. When he then declared indigenous players generally came from more laidback families and were "not prepared for AFL life as others . . . he [Mifsud] said, 'That's a fair assumption of Aboriginal life' ".
"I was using that as a basis for an idea I had to help more indigenous players stay in the system. I want every kid to play 10 years no matter where they are from," he said. "I said to Jason there is a serious issue that needs to be addressed right now. It was a throwaway line — a ridiculous line — but I said you might find we only recruit players with only one white parent.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/AFL/AFL-news/s ... z1xGjfbxT2

How stupid are you! A single recruiter makes a comment about the difficulties faced by indiginous players in a professional sport, never intending for it to be racist in any way, and he gets shown the door for even hinting at a racist comment.

If anything this shows the AFL is over sensitive to racist issues, and certainly not racist in any way.

No Xman its you who is the stupid git. The fact the racist mofo "never intended it to be racist" is no excuse. Seriously if the AFL are content having staffers who do not understand that this öne white parent comment" is exactly the same racist attitude which led to the stolen generations, then the organisation should be shut down. Thank god Xman's not running the AFL, looks like he'd condone this sort of trash

Give yourself an uppercut Xman

He explained his comments and how they were taken out of context. Whether people want to Holden to that out of context interpretation is up to them.

[King-Eliagh]

"He explained his comments". So did those those who developed the government policy to take those with 'a bit of white in em'. Give yourself another uppercut Xman. Condoning racism is simply not on.

[Xman]

"He explained his comments". So did those those who developed the government policy to take those with 'a bit of white in em'. Give yourself another uppercut Xman. Condoning racism is simply not on.

He never said he wanted to recruit in that manner. He said if nothing was done to assist indigenous players it may become an issue.

Give yourself 5 uppercuts!

[King-Eliagh]

"Ignorant and offensive" Xman. And you condone it.

What on earth is wrong with you?

[Xman]

"Ignorant and offensive" Xman. And you condone it.

What on earth is wrong with you?

I agree with his view. Indiginous Australians often experience significant challenges due to the substantial changes in culture and need to be supported to ensure they adapt to the needs of professional sport.

Shame on you for brushing this issue aside!

[Xman]

Yes a universal issue...but highlighed more in the AFL due to lower levels of tolerance.

A State of Origin storm has erupted on Twitter with Queensland enforcer Sam Thaiday forced to defend himself against a racist hate campaign, including a savage attack from a member of New South Wales' official supporters' group.

Some of the racial abuse is so severe it cannot be printed.



An offensive tweet was posted by Dylan Lockwood, who in his profile declares himself a "proud member of the Blatchy's Blues" - the official NSW Origin supporter group which boasts a 10,000-strong membership.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/stat ... 6387091683

So the latest AFL racist incident saw a single fan abuse a player. He was reported by fellow supporters of the same team, and a player of the same team. He has since had his membership of 20 years cancelled.

Meanwhile an official NRL supporter group delivers a campaign of racial abuse and Thaiday is left to defend himself and admits he experiences the problems regularly.

Hmmmmm....