UGLY PARENTS SLAMMED
BASKETBALL CHIEF ISSUES WARNING
BADLY behaved players and parents at local basketball matches are being warned to shape up or ship out.
Geelong’s main basketball association has drawn a line in the sand against poor behaviour after a surge in tribunal cases this year.
In a series of ugly incidents, referees have been abused and some matches called off, prompting Basketball Geelong to step in and warn clubs it has had enough.
In a strongly worded email sent to all Geelong Basketball League clubs — and seen by the Geelong Advertiser — the association has said it will be taking a “zero tolerance approach” to players and spectators breaching the rules.
“Unfortunately it appears necessary to address with all of our member clubs, the overall poor standard of player/coach/ parent behaviour currently being displayed across the GBL competitions,” the memo read.
“Issues are becoming more frequent across our weekly competitions, resulting in technical fouls, player ejections, games being called off, formal warnings to teams, and persons being reported.
“Poor behaviour, rough play, verbal abuse and unacceptable language (amongst other unacceptable behaviour) is being directed at referees, opposition players, coaches and also Basketball Geelong officials.
“This is totally unacceptable, and needs to change immediately.”
Basketball Geelong runs dozens of competitions throughout the week ranging from juniors to seniors.
As part of its email, the body has threatened clubs with sanctions if its codes of conduct continue to be breached.
Chief executive Dean Anglin said the warning came after a spike in tribunal cases this year, with the 2018 figure nudging the total number of reports made last year.
“We’ve put a whole heap of emphasis on player behaviour over the last few years and, overall, that’s seen the number of tribunal incidents reduced,” he said. “So we just wanted to remind people about our expectations of behaviour.”
Mr Anglin said the email sent to clubs was a “gentle” reminder that he hoped would help everyone enjoy the sport.
“I think ultimately sports are becoming more professional, and I think there is an expectation on players and officials to live up to what society believes sport is about — and that’s acting and behaving in the right manner,” he said.
Although referees have been targeted by abuse, it does not appear to be having an impact on Basketball Geelong’s ability to attract people to the positions. Mr Anglin said it had run four beginner courses for referees during the past two years and that interest had been high.
“We will probably run another course in the summer,” he said. “So we’re certainly not struggling for numbers.”