AFL players ‘need education’
Some AFL players don’t even realise they’re being offensive until they’re told, former Kangaroos player Daniel Pratt said during a special radio broadcast for homophobia in sport.
Community groups, former AFL footballers and diversity educators spoke to JOY 94.9 during its live broadcast from the MCG on Saturday.
“A lot of the guys aren’t even aware some of the stuff that they’re doing is offensive and once that awareness is there they understand quite quickly,” Pratt told JOY.
“There are some guys that who don’t pick up as quickly but it’s about educating them further.”
The broadcast comes just two weeks after St Kilda forward Stephen Milne was fined $3,000 for calling Collingwood player Harry O’Brien a “f—— homo” during a game.
AFL community education coordinator Prue Salter told JOY change was happening in the AFL.
“It’s just great that they’re willing to learn, to talk about it and to, I suppose, come along on that journey in a way,” Salter said.
“A lot of the boys are not aware some of the implications of actions.
“There’s no deliberate behaviour to offend anyone but when you start to point things out to them and how different things can be perceived, they’re really quite surprised at how they do have to be a bit more considered in the way they behave.”
Victorian Women’s Football League media director Leesa Catto, Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria director Liam Leonard, Pink Magpies president Ian Bell and former AFL players Luke Ablett and Clint Bizzell also spoke to JOY.
