‘No place' for racism, Bluff Rugby Club says
Bluff Rugby Club has broken its silence, saying it wants Tokanui club supporters held accountable for racist comments made at a match between the teams earlier this month.
In an official statement released yesterday, the club said racial slurs toward the team had not been addressed in any of the discussions after Rugby Southland Referees refused to provide officials for its game last weekend.
The club admitted a supporter came on to the field twice to remonstrate with the referee but he was quickly ushered away by the team.
The club said players of the predominantly Māori and Pacific Island Bluff team were frequently targets of derogatory remarks attacking their identity and culture.
"We will not tolerate racism or discrimination. There is no place for it in our club, or in rugby as a whole."
During the June 7 game, a Bluff club supporter was removed from the field after directing offensive language at the referee. The same person resumed their verbal tirade after the final whistle.
"On both occasions, our team captain and senior player intervened immediately and the individual left without resistance. We are proud of how our players responded in the moment."
The game between Bluff and Tokanui was the third Southland game in three weeks to experience referee-related issues, the statement said.
"We are concerned about how this incident has been portrayed. The narrative that has emerged has led to public backlash and reputational harm, despite our efforts to address the matter appropriately at the time and engage constructively since."
The statement said none of the club's players were involved yet they were unfortunately made an example of.
"This decision opened the door to harmful and unfounded commentary, based more on assumption than fact. We are disappointed by how quickly a narrative took hold, one that does not reflect the actions or values of our club. This has highlighted deeper assumptions some may hold about our team and community, and we believe it's important to question and reflect on those.
"We are also deeply concerned that racist comments made by some opposition supporters and players during the match have gone unaddressed.
"While not the initial cause of conflict, these remarks contributed to the atmosphere of tension and hurt."
The statement said the Bluff club remained committed to working with Rugby Southland and the referees' association.
"Our players and club members, like our referees, are people too and their wellbeing is ours to protect. We hope the wider rugby community can move forward with ... respect, accountability, and unity."
The club had stayed silent to let the truth come out but the false narrative now circulating had gone too far, it said.
"We ask for fairness and understanding."
The club's matches were recorded from kickoff to post-match handshakes, and anyone with concerns could view the footage.
The Otago Daily Times has not been able to contact a Tokanui Rugby Club representative or Rugby Southland chief executive Hua Tamariki for their response to the Bluff club statement.
Rugby Southland Referees chairman Andrew Rowland told the Otago Daily Times earlier this week regular spectator and coach misconduct reports were filed from all grades of the sport.
"We deal with this every week. There probably aren't too many things that we haven't heard spoken to us over the years."
Players' family members "are hearing people on the sideline calling them all sorts of names".
A culture change was needed because the sport was being affected, Mr Rowland said.
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