Not amused at rules

By Marc McGowan

October 20 2009

Shepparton News

Two Goulburn Valley sporting officials yesterday ridiculed the Victorian Government's new code of conduct for community sport.

Goulburn North East Football Association president Frank Trimboli and Shepparton Basketball Association treasurer Tony Long were critical of the plan that could see clubs and associations miss out on funding for not following the government's new code.

The government believes the code of conduct, which includes training programs and severe penalties for club members who breach the rules, will help curb bad spectator behaviour and violence in sport.

Club officials will have to sign the code of conduct or risk missing out on funding.

Trimboli is particularly disappointed with the government's stance and feels the code of conduct is just a "political statement".

"This might be an easy way not to deliver the funding," Trimboli said.

"Those instances are going to happen no matter what and who are they really punishing? The culprits, or the good people who are delivering the sport?

"I'm pretty sure football and netball and every other sport has already got those rules in place and has identified (spectator behaviour and violence) as a problem and now we've got them coming out saying `We're going to do this if you don't do that.' "

Long, who has been involved with Shepparton Basketball Association for 21 years, is similarly frustrated with the demands.

"If they were more open to funding, maybe it would mean something," he said.

"We try and run a club that's all kosher and provides good conduct anyway."

Long admitted association officials received a "sizeable" government grant this year, but said it was of little help considering it costs up to $200 000 per annum to run the competition.

Shepparton District Junior Football Competition president Bruce O'Keefe took a different view.

O'Keefe said undesirable behaviour was not a major issue in the region, but that he would do whatever the government wanted if it meant access to funding.

"I think most leagues are administered pretty well," O'Keefe said.

"Not too many problems have evolved that have required our codes of conduct to be used, but, at the same time, they need to be publicised so people know how to behave.

"We're not receiving a lot (of funding), but anything that is received is something you don't have to physically go out and earn."