Turning to AFL news about the allegations that Hawthorn Football Club demanded some First Nations players split from their partners and live separately from their family. The ABC has reported that in one incident a player and his partner were allegedly pressured to terminate a pregnancy to further his career.
Hawthorn Football Club chief executive Justin Reeves says the club received a report with allegations of the experience of First Nations players two weeks ago and the claims were a surprise to many.
He said the report,which had de-identified former and current players and staff,had followed consultants having discussions with club employees widely to learn about their experiences.“We’ve spoken to a really wide range of people who were at the club at that time,and it’s been a surprise to everyone that I’ve spoken to,” Reeves said.
“This report came back with some disturbing allegations,and we acted on straightaway.”
He said support was offered immediately after the club received the report,and had reached out to “everyone via one way or another to everyone that,we feel,is appropriate”.
Reeves said the club supported and would fully cooperate with an external review that the AFL announced earlier today.
“It is entirely appropriate that there is a thorough investigation from this report,” he said. Asked whether Hawthorn had a cultural problem,he said,“I think Australia has a culture problem,historically”.
“Like so many institutions,I think we have to face our history and our past,and we have to act responsibly,and we have to cooperate,and we’ll move forward from that.”