EARLIER: Storm gathers behind Goodes
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The South Bendigo senior and A grade football and netball teams will join the Strathfieldsaye Storm in pulling on their indigenous round guernseys for Saturday’s clashes against Kangaroo Flat.
The decision follows similar moves by AFL teams Richmond and the Western Bulldogs in support of Sydney Swans star forward Adam Goodes.
The dual Brownlow medallist has been the target of a sustained booing campaign which he believes is racially motivated.
South Bendigo Football Netball Club president Rick Townsend said he didn’t believe the booing was solely motivated by racism but it was important to take a stand against “bullying”.
“There is an element of racial vilification there but I think it’s broader than that,” he said.
“We’re looking at it from a position of not condoning bullying and divisiveness, that’s where we think it’s coming from.
“It’s a bit of a show of solidarity.”
Townsend said the players were “really keen” to show their support for Goodes, who has been granted indefinite leave from the Swans.
“The players are on board with it, particularly the leadership group,” he said.
Townsend said the match was an opportunity for the football community to get behind one of their own.
“I think it’s just an opportunity to look at inclusiveness whether it be race, religion or sexual preference, the whole thing, and that’s really where we’re coming from this weekend,” he said.
AFL central Victorian regional general manager Paul Hamilton said he fully supported the clubs’ stance.
“It’s pretty clear that the whole AFL community don’t want to see this continue, he is one of the greatest players to have played the game and I do think people are just joining in without really knowing what they’re doing,” he said.
“Hopefully now people understand what they’re doing and what effect it’s having.”