A regional New South Wales Aussie rules official has abruptly resigned from his position after a shocking hot mic incident captured him launching into a vile tirade against female players, whom he disparagingly referred to as nothing more than 'breeders'. The Collingullie Wagga Demons Football Netball Club, based in the NSW Riverina region, confirmed the official's immediate departure on Friday following the leak of the damning audio recording across social media platforms.
Club Condemns 'Unacceptable' Behaviour
The club issued a swift statement, emphasising that it was treating the situation with the utmost seriousness. The unnamed official involved has reportedly apologised to the team. In its public response, the club firmly stated: 'The Collingullie Wagga Demons Football & Netball Club does not condone this behaviour. It is unacceptable and does not reflect the standards, values, or culture we expect from anyone associated with our club.'
Disturbing Audio Content Revealed
The leaked audio, which spread rapidly online, features the official making deeply offensive remarks about the physique and on-field capabilities of the club's female athletes. He crudely asserted that their body shapes were 'all wrong because of the food they're eating,' claiming this limited their movements during play. The recording begins with him backhandedly complimenting one player, suggesting she 'would be a pretty good player if she lost weight'.
His comments then descended into a broader, misogynistic rant. 'She just can’t move, she’s had four kids,' he was heard saying. 'We've got a real issue in society overall because of the body shapes of our women – they’re our breeders. You think about when we were growing up, you hardly saw any fat girls.'
Widespread Condemnation and Club Response
The club's website proudly describes itself as a 'beacon of sporting excellence and community spirit,' striving to 'create a culture of success while providing a positive environment for players and supporters.' This incident starkly contrasts with those stated values. In response, the club confirmed: 'The individual involved has been spoken to and has stepped down from all club activities effective immediately. They have acknowledged their actions and issued an apology to the club.'
The statement continued, reaffirming the club's 'commitment to maintaining a respectful and positive environment for our players, members, supporters, and the wider community.'
Social Media Backlash and Governing Body Reaction
On social media, users expressed outrage, though many noted such sexism is sadly unsurprising for female athletes. One comment read: 'God, I’m so sick of this sh*t,' while another stated: 'Absolutely vile. As a mum of a daughter who plays AFL, I am so disgusted. Men need to do better.'
The governing body, AFL Riverina, also strongly condemned the recording. Chairman Michael Irons released a statement saying: 'The language and commentary contained within the video are not representative of AFL Riverina, AFL, or the values of our game. Such behaviour does not align with our commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all participants.'
Moving Forward
Looking ahead, Stephen Carroll will continue in his role as the senior female coach for the Collingullie Wagga Demons. The club, which plays its home games at Crossroads Oval in Collingullie, was contacted for further comment on the incident and its ongoing handling of the matter. This episode has sparked a renewed conversation about respect, inclusivity, and the challenges still faced by women in sport at all levels.
