Tara Murray
Restrictions on spectators on the field during breaks and exclusion zones around coaches’ boxes have been implemented by the Essendon District Football League.
Following a number of incidents at games, including a division 1 match between St Albans and Hillside being called off, the league has introduced these measures to try ensure the safety of everyone involved.
The league is yet to officially announce the changes, but a number of clubs posted the changes on their social media and they were in place on Saturday at games.
Among the changes no spectators are allowed on mid-section of the grounds at the quarter time and half time breaks with spectators only allowed inside 50 metre arcs during these breaks.
Coaches’ huddles at breaks to be within areas close to the coach’s boxes and an exclusion zone of 25 metres around all coaches boxes.
There will be match day managers at all games who will liaise with umpires to identify poor crowd behaviour and club committee will be at games to help support these new initiatives and EDFL board members will also be visiting clubs to assist.
“Whilst we love the passion and enthusiasm each and every supporter brings to our game we need to be accepting and understanding of the league’s decision after recent events,” the posts said.
“We understand that actions of a minority have led to this impacting the majority and it will cause wide frustration and disappointment however we must ensure we provide the safest environment we can for our players, coaches and the league officials.
“Abuse is unacceptable and will not be tolerated towards any individual or group.”
It comes as the league continues to investigate the brawl that resulted in the St Albans and Hillside game which resulted in the game being called off at three quarter time and police called.
League chairman Bernie Shinners and chief executive Andrew Johnston released a letter last week endorsed by all 37 clubs calling out the behaviour of the minority.
“Every one of these people need our support and our respect,” the letter said.
“However, in the first few weeks of our game there has been a corresponding increase in incidents at games and on social media. We’ve seen disturbing altercations lately involving spectators and players – threatening behaviour, verbal abuse, and alarmingly, even isolated incidents of physical abuse.
“These acts have NO place in our game. The damage anti-social behaviour does to our game cannot be understated.
“We’ve seen too many umpires leave our game prematurely, too many young players driven away by the behaviour of their peers and/or adults, and too many community supporters who feel unsafe to attend the game they love.
“Although we’re determined to stamp this behaviour out, we need your help.
“We are asking every parent, player, official, supporter and spectator to offer their support “the correct way”.
“Everyone can make the decision to be supportive and encouraging rather than critical or abusive, you can be the parent, player, official, supporter or spectator that holds their tongue when you perceive a poor decision or want to say something to your own or the other team.
“Only you can consciously recognise that nothing you do or say will change an umpires decision.
“Only you can discourage and refrain from anti-social behaviour. With this level of support, more children, more players, more umpires, and more volunteers will find reasons to stay in the game they love rather than being given reasons to quit.”
