Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

AFL Chief Executive says stadium behavioural officers ‘should go’

AFL Chief Executive says stadium behavioural officers ‘should go’
June 18, 2019

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan has called for the removal of behavioural awareness officers inside AFL venues, declaring they’re “not right and they should go”.

Expressing his personal opposition to the behavioural awareness officers used at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium during games this season, McLachlan expressed his concern that fans’ enjoyment was being restricted while watching matches.

Having met with Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen on Tuesday as he works through the issues that fans are experiencing, McLachlan denied there had been any change to AFL policy regarding spectator behaviour.

He explained “no one at the AFL is trying to stop our crowds being passionate or our fans barracking.

"It is devastating to think that our fans think something has changed that is trying to limit their enjoyment at the footy.

"However, the AFL has a dual responsibility. We must also keep our game safe and family-friendly."

He insisted the AFL wasn't trying to be overbearing, in the face of overwhelming feedback from the community, adding "I'm apologising for people who are going along to the football to have a day out who feel that they haven't been able to do that.

"They feel that, the security in some way, is impinging on them. They feel they're actually not able to be themselves when they're actually enjoying a game of football, and that's the feedback we've had in the last few days."

Marvel Stadium Chief Executive Michael Green on Sunday said they had been in place all season, adding they are guards who have received extra training in identifying and diffusing problems in the crowd.

As to how fans are allowed to act, McLachlan pointed to what the Victoria Police use as a guide, concluding "Police use a reasonable person as a test.

"What does a reasonable person think? What's their response? In the end, that's hopefully what we are. Reasonable people making decisions at all times with context in different situations about what's right and wrong."

Image: Behavioural Awareness Officers at Marvel Stadium at the weekend. Courtesy of Facebook.

Related Articles

16th June 2019 - Marvel Stadium to review ‘intimidating’ AFL security measures

6th June 2019 - Marvel Stadium becomes first Australian venue awarded Global Venue of the Year

5th June 2019 - Marvel Stadium, the SCG and Nick Sautner announced winners at TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2019

26th March 2019 - Marvel Stadium’s ‘absolutely atrocious’ turf areas to be replaced

23rd July 2018 - Geelong brawl will not lead to AFL segregating fans

8th February 2015 - Police welcome improved crowd behaviour at Wellington Sevens

22nd August 2014 - AFL puts the focus on fans

22nd January 2014 - Venue security expert urges better understanding of security management

8th October 2013 - Victoria Police to crack-down on anti-social behaviour at A-League games


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Ausfit

Ausfit began in 1992, providing software services to the health and fitness sector including ClubWise, a fully hosted web-based product which combines state of the art club management software,…

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Myzone

Email for trade enquiries: Enquiriesapac@myzone.org  Customer support desk - Click Myzone support or go to ‘help’ on myzone app to access live support. Myzone® is the leading…

read more

Fitness / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Envibe

With its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…

read more

Aquatics / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Chadson Engineering Pty Ltd

Australia’s leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical media filters suited to all types of commercial pools, water playgrounds marine parks, aquaculture and zoos. They are an ideal…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

State Wide Pool Services

Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd

read more

Aquatics

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business