MATCH day environment at NFL football and netball matches is a major focus of mine, and I have conveyed this to all clubs at a number of meetings prior to the commencement of the season.
The NFL’s image, brand, credibility and reputation are quantified by the way everyone behaves at NFL matches.
This behaviour not only affects the NFL, but it also affects every NFL affiliated club. From a senior club perspective, a poor NFL image impacts on clubs’ ability to recruit players from the AFL / VFL and other major senior leagues.
If a potential recruit hears poor feedback about the NFL, he is unlikely to want to play for a club who is affiliated with a league with a poor image. It also impacts a club in other areas such as sponsorship, membership and the overall ability to generate the much needed funds to operate a club.
Parents of junior players want their children to play in a league that is professionally managed and matches are played in quality environments.
If the NFL does not have a positive image for junior football, parents will not register their children with NFL clubs and they will most likely travel further to register with a club from a neighbouring league.
This will create a ripple effect, meaning less teams and less divisions per age group. This makes for uneven competitions and a poor experience for the child, resulting in a decline in participation.
To any reasonable person this all makes sense, and they understand the importance of creating a quality environment on match day to ensure a positive experience every time they are involved with the NFL.
To those who do not understand this, or who do not want to control their emotions and the manner they conduct themselves, the NFL is not a place for you. As CEO of the NFL I will not tolerate poor behaviour at NFL matches and I will support every club as they deal with anyone who misbehaves.
This season is just four weeks old and I can inform you that two club match day officials have each received a LIFE time ban from the NFL tribunal and the NFL board.
These officials were acting as a club boundary umpire and a club runner for junior teams. To see parents behaving in this way is totally unacceptable and it will not be tolerated in anyway.
Every player, parent and spectator is entitled to attend NFL football and netball matches and enjoy watching the game without having to put up with people behaving badly.
If you are one of these people who do not behave in an acceptable manner, I encourage you to take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror, and make a conscious effort to change the way you behave at an NFL match.
Those of you who attend NFL matches and conduct themselves as the community would expect you to, and there are many of you, I say thank you, and I hope you continue to support the NFL for many years to come.
The NFL will continue to have a sharp focus in this area, and I am committed to creating the best possible environment for all participants within the NFL.
See you at the footy.
Peter McDougall
Chief Executive Officer
