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Collingwood Magpies’ AFL, AFLW, netballers apologise for club’s racist past in open letter

The West Australian
VideoAFL: Speaking via Zoom at a Collingwood Magpies AGM, President Eddie McGuire admits he made errors when addressing the report into racism at the club on Monday.

150 Collingwood football and netball athletes have penned an open apology letter in response to findings of systemic racism at the club. 

The AFL and AFLW players, along with the club’s netballers, all acknowledged the dark findings in the ‘DO BETTER’ report, which upon release, was labelled by President Eddie McGuire as ‘a proud day’. 

McGuire has since retracted those comments, admitting the racism is indeed not something to be proud of. 

"Sorry," the letter says.

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"As athletes we are sorry to anyone who, through their association with our club, has been marginalised, hurt or discriminated against due to their race.

“Through our silence we feel responsible for these injustices. We acknowledge it is not enough to simply show support for the principles of anti-racism and inclusion.

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“We will confront the history of our club in order to learn, heal and determine how best to walk forward together. 

“Over the last 72 hours we have had the opportunity to digest the DO BETTER report.

“We also apologise to those members, fans and community who feel guilt and shame as a result of the systemic racism that has occurred within our organisation.

To all the young people who dream about one day pulling on the black and white stripes, we pledge as athletes to continue to help create a club that allows ALL of us to thrive, regardless of race.

“Faithfully.”

Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies in action during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session.
Camera IconScott Pendlebury of the Magpies in action during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The apology comes after the outgoing president clarified his controversial comments at the club’s AGM earlier this week. 

“Yesterday, a report we fully intended to make public appeared prematurely in the media,” McGuire said.

“From there, we hastily consulted a number of people to clear a path to discuss the report publicly, and over the course of an hour we answered every question.

“But in my opening, I got it wrong. I said it was a proud day for Collingwood, and I shouldn’t have.

“I meant to sincerely acknowledge not only the enormous work the club had done, especially Jodie Sizer and Peter Murphy, in bringing this report together.

“But also the work of all our staff and their preparedness to take a deep and uncompromising look into our past as a club.

“I did not mean we were proud of past incidents of racism and the hurt that it caused, I am not. It’s been interpreted widely that way and I regret that deeply.

“I’m sorry that my error has acted as a distraction from the importance of the findings on racism and the work that lies ahead. Under the pressure of the day, the use of the word proud was wrong.

“We may not be able to undo conduct of the past but we can certainly make the future balanced and inclusive for all people. We will set an example and eventually lead by example, aiming to be best practice in this area.”

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