A Queensland rugby league organisation will probe another incident of racial vilification, after a number of Indigenous players were allegedly abused during a junior match at the weekend.
The Toowoomba Rugby League is at the centre of another incident of racial vilification, after a number of Indigenous players were allegedly abused by opposing players during a junior match.
A 15-year-old boy and his fellow Indigenous teammates were allegedly the focus of racist abuse during the match between Gatton and South Burnett at the weekend.
It is understood a number of South Burnett players were the targets of the abuse.
The boy’s mother is now calling for the sport’s governing body to take action.
“When I went to bed on Saturday night I cried for my son,” she said.
“I saw his spirit was broken when he came off the field – it’s the first time he has ever experienced anything like that in a game.
“As a proud Indigenous woman I can say it takes a lot to break us, but that’s what I saw happening to my boy.”
The parents and supporters of South Burnett players were also allegedly the victims of racist taunts throughout the junior match.
“There is no place for it anywhere,” the mother said.
“I talked to a Gatton official during the game and said it needed to stop.
“Now that is reported to TRL I will wait and see what happens after their investigation before I decide what to do next.”
In a post on social media, South Burnett Rugby League said the organisation did not tolerate the behaviour and had launched formal complaints.
“We do not tolerate abuse, vilification or derogatory remarks being made in our game, and will take all appropriate steps to ensure that our players have the opportunity to play the game that they love in a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment,” they said.
A TRL official has confirmed an official notification regarding the alleged incident has been received and it is being investigated in line with Queensland Rugby League judicial guidelines.
Police from the Road Policing Unit, and the Gatton and Lockyer stations were called to the field about 2.30pm.
A QPS spokesman said the officers conducted foot patrols but did not take any enforcement action.
It’s the latest incident in what has been a series of racial incidents connected to Toowoomba Rugby League.
Last year, a man was hit with a 10-year ban after he hurled a racial slur at a player during a A-grade game in August.
The ban was reduced to two years on appeal, angering Indigenous leaders in Toowoomba.
In September, the Highfields Eagles became the subject of a Toowoomba Rugby League probe, after a ‘Mad Monday’ celebration photo featuring people in what appears to be blackface was posted to social media.
The TRL has not confirmed the outcome of that investigation.
Originally published as Toowoomba Rugby League: Players racially abused during junior game