Creating an inclusive environment

Calling out vilification & discrimination

A MESSAGE FROM AFL AND AFLW STARS

Australian Rules Football is a game for everyone.  We want everyone to feel included in the footy world, whether that’s on the field, online, or any other place.  

Embracing diversity and ensuring you are welcoming, supportive and encouraging to all in your community will improve your club and provide an opportunity to grow with an improved culture, more players, more volunteers, more funding and more sponsors ultimately making a difference to your community. 

Learn more about how to create a more diverse and inclusive club.

CALLING OUT VILIFICATION

Everyone has the right to feel safe and welcome playing or watching footy, whether that's at local footy or AFL and AFLW matches. This means any type of vilifying words or actions towards another person are not allowed and match bans apply to those found to be responsible for vilifying others.

If you experience or witness vilification or discrimination, report it as quickly as possible to your Club and ensure that one of the following occurs:

  1. A Notice of Complaint form is completed and lodged with the League / Competition Manager; or 
  2. A complaint is made online via the AFL Integrity Portal.

Peek Rule

Section 10. Vilification and Discrimination (Peek Rule) of the National Community Football Policy Handbook outlines that “No Person shall act towards or speak to any other person in a manner, or engage in any other conduct which threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person or group of persons on any basis, including but not limited to, a person's race, religion, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity”.

AFL Vilification Module

Further your understanding of how we can work together to ensure a safe environment free of vilification and discrimination by accessing the AFL's Vilification and Discrimination online module.