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The Western Bulldogs have today released a draft ‘Members Code of Conduct’ for the consideration of the Bulldog faithful.
As a Club that prides itself on celebrating diversity and also promoting a positive experience for our Members and Fans and their families – the Bulldogs have developed the code to proactively highlight an area we think our supporters and stakeholders will embrace.
On releasing the draft code on westernbulldogs.com today, President Peter Gordon told Bulldogs TV that after the reported racial incident during our clash against North Melbourne, he spent an anxious 24 hours waiting to find out whether Bulldog Members or fans were involved.
“I felt awkward about that too, because in one sense, it doesn’t matter what colours were worn by the people may have been involved in this conduct. That fact that it happened at all demeans all of us and demeans our game. So we need to use this event as an opportunity to lift our standards,” Gordon told Bulldogs TV.
“So, I’ll confess I was relieved to find out that the people alleged to have conducted themselves in this way were not bulldog members, but I’m not kidding myself that it could not have been Bulldog members or indeed that such an event might not involve Bulldogs Members sometime in the future.
“Our fans, like every other clubs’ fans are a mix of people of different backgrounds, different beliefs and different cultures. We more than most celebrate our differences and our diversity reflective of our heartland – and we’re proud of it.
“For this reason we think it’s time we made it expressly clear that being a part of our club, being a Bulldogs Member also has its obligations.”
The Club today published a draft ‘Members Code of Conduct’ on westernbulldogs.com so Members could have the opportunity to have their say as to whether we should have one and what it should say.
“We don’t want to discourage freedom of speech. We think in particular that the sort of funny, good natured larrikinism that’s been part of being in the outer of AFL and before that VFL games for decades is part of the really rich culture of Australian Football and we don’t want to discourage that,” Gordon said.
“But there is a line that shouldn’t get crossed and we want, at this point, to make it clear that we expect our members not to cross that line.
“We want to make it clear that we all expect members to know about that line and to keep it in mind that all of us, in this digital age of the 24 hour news cycle, represent the club in some way...and have an obligation not to let it down."
Gordon encouraged members to have a look at the draft code and to provide feedback and thoughts.
“The Board will take them into account when deciding whether to implement such a code on your behalf as members…”
DRAFT WESTERN BULLDOGS MEMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT
As Western Bulldogs Members we will abide by the values and the fundamental principles of our Club and specifically;
1.) While at Western Bulldogs games and events, we will not engage in conduct that could bring the Club or Australian rules football into disrepute.
2.) In any forum including in the media, where we are acting as a Western Bulldogs Member or identifiable as a Bulldogs Member, we will not engage in conduct that could bring the Club or Australian rules football into disrepute.
3.) We will not engage in nor endorse any form of vilification on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion or sexuality.
4.) We will conduct ourselves as Members in ways which contribute to Western Bulldogs events being family-friendly enjoyable experiences for all who attend - this means refraining from engaging in disruptive behaviour, including foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.
5.) As a Club, we maintain the right of our members to hold and express robust views about our Club, our Board, Club Management and employee; and our players and team, but we will do our best to avoid behaviours and language which are abusive or malicious.
1.) While at Western Bulldogs games and events, we will not engage in conduct that could bring the Club or Australian rules football into disrepute.
2.) In any forum including in the media, where we are acting as a Western Bulldogs Member or identifiable as a Bulldogs Member, we will not engage in conduct that could bring the Club or Australian rules football into disrepute.
3.) We will not engage in nor endorse any form of vilification on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion or sexuality.
4.) We will conduct ourselves as Members in ways which contribute to Western Bulldogs events being family-friendly enjoyable experiences for all who attend - this means refraining from engaging in disruptive behaviour, including foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.
5.) As a Club, we maintain the right of our members to hold and express robust views about our Club, our Board, Club Management and employee; and our players and team, but we will do our best to avoid behaviours and language which are abusive or malicious.
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