An Adelaide Footy League and SANFL Juniors club has sent a warning to fans after incidents of behaviour it has branded as unsafe last weekend.
Woodville South issued a statement this week telling supporters it would not tolerate poor behaviour.
“Following behaviour witnessed at games over the weekend, we want to be clear that aggression, threatening behaviour and violence have no place at our football club or within community sport,” a spokesman said.
“We understand that football – particularly finals – brings passion and emotion. However, there is a clear line between passionately supporting your team and behaviour that makes players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, opposition or fellow supporters feel unsafe.
“Woodville South has zero tolerance for aggressive or violent behaviour (and) anyone who does not meet the standards expected within our community may be asked to leave, and incidents will be addressed by the club as appropriate.
“We are disappointed when the actions of individuals do not reflect the values of the wider Woodville South community.”
It is unclear which games the alleged incidents took place during over the weekend but the club said the “matters arising from the weekend are being addressed internally.”
The incidents of poor spectator behaviour continue a trend seen more widely across local SA sport this year.
The statement by the Cats comes just a week after the International Soccer Club, based in Mount Gambier, issued a strongly worded letter to its members stating it had “zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour.”
“Any behaviour that brings the club, our players, officials or the game itself into disrepute will be dealt with through the appropriate means available to the club.”
This masthead understands no particular incident involving International Soccer Club inspired the release of the letter and that it was shared proactively ahead of the club’s finals series.
Basketball SA has also taken steps to combat poor spectator behaviour and sideline abuse this year, trialling a warning card system since January.
The cards serve as a first and final warning, with offenders then being ejected from the stadium if abuse continues.
The nine-month trial has two months remaining and was implemented after the Adelaide Junior Basketball League, which is affiliated with Basketball SA, revealed umpires as young as 12 had been subject to comments such as “sh*t umpire,” “worst ref we’ve ever had” and “you’re crap.”
Local netball clubs have also taken steps to eliminate poor spectator behaviour by ejecting people from games this year.
Woodville South will begin its division five A Grade finals campaign this weekend with an elimination final clash with SMOSH West Lakes away from home.
The Cats are also set to clash in the SANFL Juniors U13s grand final in two weeks’ time.
The Woodville South Football Club was contacted by this masthead.