Community Bank Geraldton GNFL to take firmer stance on anti-social behaviours as new season gets under way

The Community Bank Geraldton GNFL is cracking down on antisocial behaviour on and off the field, with president Grant Russell emphasising it will not be tolerated this season. It comes on the eve of round one, when Railways and Chapman Valley meet on Saturday at at Recreation Ground. A recent spike in incidents has involved players, club officials, umpires and spectators, both on and off field, with the league encouraging people to report more of these behaviours. Speaking ahead of round one, Russell has called this trend unacceptable and concerning, keen to stamp it out. “We also need to hold this league accountable and for it to be professional in its approach,” he said. “We will not tolerate any form of abuse, threatening or vilifying, which can be anything to do with all sorts of aspects of attacking a person,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be racial in nature. It can be homophobic. It can be just a personal attack at a player, official or another spectator.” Umpires have also raised concerns about abuse they have received or overheard, and been deterred from umpiring as a result. “They feel as though that the abuse is getting is escalating to a level that is not banter any longer, but is more so on the personal, attacking side,” Russell said. “That behaviour is not going to be accepted or tolerated and those alleged offenders will be sought out, investigated, and, if necessary, penalised.” Behaviours such as unauthorised entry to the playing field, abusive and threatening language and umpire abuse are some of the key areas of concern. Witnesses are encouraged to report these behaviours to the GNF, and reported incidents will be investigated and sanctioned accordingly. GNFL spectators, players and officials are bound to policies and codes of conducts enforced by Country Football WA, with offenders sanctioned accordingly, based on the incident’s severity. Spectators are bound to their own behaviour policy, which has been updated by CFWA ahead of the 2026 season. Those in breach can be banned for up to two years. Russell emphasised he still wanted spectators to continue supporting their clubs but in a way that does not cross the line. “There’s nothing wrong with that sort of stirring up or banter we want people to come along and participate vocally in their games,” he said. “It’s just got to be in a controlled and acceptable manner.”