Statement regarding recent media claims

Release for Press 30 December 2015

Following a recent article in the Herald Sun, dated December 29, 2015 5:55pm, by Peter Rolfe. The executive of Gridiron Victoria wish to make the following points clear, and would have done so to the reporter, if given sufficient time to respond to his email request.

In early 2015, the full committee of Gridiron Victoria, as a result of an annual review of operating rules, unanimously (with 1 abstention) voted to no longer allow female participation in their 15 year old to under 19 competition. Citing the duty of care owed by its accredited coaches to all players in the competition, and the fact that we have a viable 16 and over Women’s competition (or 15 with parents, club coaches, state director of coaching and executive clearance).

Gridiron Victoria makes no apologies for taking into consideration ALL their players, regardless of gender, when it comes to their duty of care responsibilities. We continue to listen to the areas of concern raised by our accredited coaches, with particular reference to issues of player safety and injury prevention.

The 2015 Women’s season completed on October 31, had 5 registered females aged under 18 years (2 x 15 year olds, 2 x 17 year olds and 1 x 16 year old).

With specific reference to Ms Otene, the player referred to in the article, Gridiron Victoria has gone to great lengths to enable her to play the sport.

In 2014, when the under 19 team she was playing for folded mid-season, she was granted special clearance at her request as an under aged player to play within the women’s competition, which she undertook. This also resulted in her selection to the Women’s All Star game in mid-June 2015. This special clearance was extended to also cover the requirements of this game.

At a mediation hearing, with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, at the beginning of October 2015, a special clearance was once again offered, but Ms Otene chose not to take up the offer.

She is, according to this article, preparing to attend the women’s training camp for selection to a Women’s training squad for the National team.

Gridiron Victoria does not believe it has restricted Ms Otene’s development, and opportunities to play within this sport in any manner and completely rejects accusations of sexism and discrimination made in this article.

No Further comment will be made at this time in relation to this.