http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015 ... -down-kids
11 Jun 2015 - 9:00am
Racism in AFL 'reaches right down to kids'
As the AFL continues its campaign to get rid of racial abuse in the game, local football leagues are also battling to contain racism at the amateur level.
The Sunshine Heights Football Club north of Melbourne says age is no barrier when it comes to racial slurs.
It says players in its under-13s team often face abuse at the weekend.
And as Abby Dinham reports, one coach is calling for action.
Sport can bring out the best in people, but also the worst.
The coach of the Sunshine Heights under-13s AFL team, Ren Olivieri, says his side endures racial abuse in at least one game out of three.
"I've had some of my team in tears not once, not twice, it's happened multiple, multiple times. It's something that we as a community, that we as Australians, have to change."
And he says it is not just the players hurling the insults.
"It wasn't just a kid, it wasn't just a parent, it wasn't (just) the coach. It came from every angle. I can't say no more how bad it was. I feel it's also an education of winning and losing. These kids are taught, if they lose, it's the end of the world, you know, they're going to get treated badly, so they come out with the most negative things."
It is an issue the Western Region Football League is taking seriously.
Coach Olivieri says offenders are called before tribunals but players can be hesistant to act on complaints.
"It's hard to tell these kids, 'Hey, you've got to go and present yourself, stand up there and say, "You said this" and "You said that."' These guys are kids, you know? It shakes them up."
He says more awareness and education is needed to address the problem, and he is calling for clubs to undergo mandatory cultural awareness training.
Coach Olivieri says football is a great tool for integration for kids of a refugee and migrant background and it should not be sullied by racism.
"Sport is so important to these guys. It brings a smile to their face. It lets them be kids. It lets them be kids. It lets them play from their heart. It lets them be with their friends. They sing the club song at the end of the day when they win. There's no feeling like it."
The side reached the grand final in its debut year and currently tops the table in its division.
But Coach Olivieri says the best players often get targeted for sledging.
Liberian born midfielder Mohamed Fofana says he does not let it worry him.
"At times, it can be a little bit rough and dirty, but, as my coach says, 'Stay bulletproof, and that's what wins the games.'"
Team manager Debbie Sharples says it is incredible to see the change in kids after they join the team and their confidence is boosted.
"This is a great way for children to feel like they belong somewhere and are part of the community. So this has been a great way for many of them to come to Australia and get involved and be part of their community."
But the coaching does not end at the siren in this team.
Since 2013, Coach Olivieri has organised football clinics at the local schools to recruit new players.
He also maintains collaboration with local principals and teachers to ensure his players are kicking goals on the field and in the classroom.
"I'm a very disciplined coach, so they know, if they make mistakes here or at school, if they make mistakes at school, I'll find out one way or another, through a teacher or a principal, and I'll make sure that these guys aren't getting away with it."
