by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Just days after the initial four players were named in the AFL's gambling investigation, there was speculation that more players were going to be dragged into the scandal, with one report alleging that a premiership star placed a bet of several thousand dollars. Another Adelaide player could face sanctions for allegedly placing a small bet on the outcome of the Norm Smith Medal voting in last year's Grand Final.
Crows' player Simon Goodwin faces inquiries not only for his own betting, but is believed to have been involved with group betting of past and current Adelaide players. There are also reports that the AFL has documentation from Betfair betting agency showing that Goodwin bet on at least six games as well as horse racing.
While all four players deny betting on games involving their respective teams, one leading bookmaker claimed footballers have a history of betting on games in which they are involved. Sportsbook bookmaker Norm Short said it was rare for AFL players to bet on games, but he was aware of players betting on their own teams. Short went on to say that betting on the AFL was the fastest growing market with a turnover of between $500 million and $1 billion a season.
However, the league ran into a snag in its probe with several regional betting offices refusing to turn over client information. TAB in Victoria and NSW did turn over some information, as they have an agreement with the AFL. However, TAB in SA has no such agreement and refused. Betstar and Sporting Bet have also refused to turn over their client accounts.
On a personal level, Keiren Jack's father, Garry, says Kieren is shattered at being linked to the scandal. Garry says KIeren made only two bets for a total of $10 dollars. The bets were made through the internet.
While he acknowledged the need to go after serious wrongdoers, he said it was joke that a 19 year old kid (Kieren) should be caught in the net over two five dollar wagers for which he doesn't even remember what he bet on.
One who was less diplomatic and quite scathing in blasting the club was the mother of Kangaroo David Hale. She accused the club and the system of failing in properly looking after her son. Yvonne Hale said David was not aware that he was breaking any rules by betting on last year's Grand Final. Yvonne Hale said David was not a problem gambler but is the victim of what she termed a "gambling and game-boy culture". She said the club promised they would assist with Hale's off-field education. Instead, according to Yvonne, no one notified her when he dropped out of a university course because a set of exams clashed with the club's end of season trip.
Yvonne said that many mothers of young footballers agreed with her but were afraid to speak out for fear of retribution. This has not stopped Yvonne from speaking with other mothers in an effort to set up a support group to concentrate on life skills she says have been ignored by the club. She went so far as to suggest women might make better AFL development officers.
Kangaroo CEO Rick Aylett responded to Yvonne's criticism with a media statement which said part that the club did have welfare and development programs in place and that they work with the players, managers, and the AFLPA to ensure the proper development of the players.
Aylett said the AFLPA assisted in setting up university courses or interviews with education & training managers to guide the players and assist them with their futures once their careers finish. There are also the coterie groups, sponsors, and affiliates who offer career paths.
The club also conducts a compulsory 12-month traineeship program for all new players, which introduces the new players to the harsh realities of football to further educate them on their conduct off the field.
Aylett then listed the programs which the club has in place:
Induction Camp: held in conjunction with the AFL for newly drafted & rookie-listed players. This is a one-and-a-half day camp covering a number of topics including AFL Players and the Law, Family Planning, Gambling, Dink Driving, Speeding, Anti-Doping, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Racial Vilification
Eight workshops are covered further through the club’s traineeship program including: Risky Business, AFL Players and the Law, Family Planning, Financial Structuring, Cross-Cultural Awareness Program, Media Training, Public Speaking/Presentations Skills, Working with Children
The club also holds an induction night for the new players and parents to advise them of what is done for the players and what is expected of them in return. Also outlined are the services available through the AFLPA.
The AFL provides compulsory workshops on Gambling, Anti-doping Policy, Racial Vilification and Harassment, Roles & Responsibility workshop for players.
However, one who sympathizes with Yvonne Hale is former Bulldog Rohan Smith who has just set up a support company called Goal Management. He has been joined in his efforts by Jim Stynes and his Outreach organization. According to Smith, players need more guidance in life skills rather than having everything done for them. Stynes said that the competition had to work harder helping players establish lives beyond the game.
South Australian football icon Barry Robran has come out in support of players who gamble on games. Robran disagrees with the AFL investigation and anti gambling policy, claiming it is making the game even more sterile.
Former champion players Dermott Brereton, Bobby Skilton, and Warwick Capper have also criticized the AFL's handling of the players involved. Brereton compared the anti-drug code in which players are not named until a third offense. He believes the AFL should back off Hale and Jack, who bets were less than a total of $20. Capper said the treatment of Jack was a disgrace. Skilton echoed Capper's sentiments and Collingwood Coach Mick Malthouse said the AFL was overreacting.
Source: skynews.com.au; Melbourne Age; Matt Harrington, Kangaroo Media Release; news.com.au; Gambling911.com; The Australian
Just days after the initial four players were named in the AFL's gambling investigation, there was speculation that more players were going to be dragged into the scandal, with one report alleging that a premiership star placed a bet of several thousand dollars. Another Adelaide player could face sanctions for allegedly placing a small bet on the outcome of the Norm Smith Medal voting in last year's Grand Final.
Crows' player Simon Goodwin faces inquiries not only for his own betting, but is believed to have been involved with group betting of past and current Adelaide players. There are also reports that the AFL has documentation from Betfair betting agency showing that Goodwin bet on at least six games as well as horse racing.
While all four players deny betting on games involving their respective teams, one leading bookmaker claimed footballers have a history of betting on games in which they are involved. Sportsbook bookmaker Norm Short said it was rare for AFL players to bet on games, but he was aware of players betting on their own teams. Short went on to say that betting on the AFL was the fastest growing market with a turnover of between $500 million and $1 billion a season.
However, the league ran into a snag in its probe with several regional betting offices refusing to turn over client information. TAB in Victoria and NSW did turn over some information, as they have an agreement with the AFL. However, TAB in SA has no such agreement and refused. Betstar and Sporting Bet have also refused to turn over their client accounts.
On a personal level, Keiren Jack's father, Garry, says Kieren is shattered at being linked to the scandal. Garry says KIeren made only two bets for a total of $10 dollars. The bets were made through the internet.
While he acknowledged the need to go after serious wrongdoers, he said it was joke that a 19 year old kid (Kieren) should be caught in the net over two five dollar wagers for which he doesn't even remember what he bet on.
One who was less diplomatic and quite scathing in blasting the club was the mother of Kangaroo David Hale. She accused the club and the system of failing in properly looking after her son. Yvonne Hale said David was not aware that he was breaking any rules by betting on last year's Grand Final. Yvonne Hale said David was not a problem gambler but is the victim of what she termed a "gambling and game-boy culture". She said the club promised they would assist with Hale's off-field education. Instead, according to Yvonne, no one notified her when he dropped out of a university course because a set of exams clashed with the club's end of season trip.
Yvonne said that many mothers of young footballers agreed with her but were afraid to speak out for fear of retribution. This has not stopped Yvonne from speaking with other mothers in an effort to set up a support group to concentrate on life skills she says have been ignored by the club. She went so far as to suggest women might make better AFL development officers.
Kangaroo CEO Rick Aylett responded to Yvonne's criticism with a media statement which said part that the club did have welfare and development programs in place and that they work with the players, managers, and the AFLPA to ensure the proper development of the players.
Aylett said the AFLPA assisted in setting up university courses or interviews with education & training managers to guide the players and assist them with their futures once their careers finish. There are also the coterie groups, sponsors, and affiliates who offer career paths.
The club also conducts a compulsory 12-month traineeship program for all new players, which introduces the new players to the harsh realities of football to further educate them on their conduct off the field.
Aylett then listed the programs which the club has in place:
Induction Camp: held in conjunction with the AFL for newly drafted & rookie-listed players. This is a one-and-a-half day camp covering a number of topics including AFL Players and the Law, Family Planning, Gambling, Dink Driving, Speeding, Anti-Doping, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Racial Vilification
Eight workshops are covered further through the club’s traineeship program including: Risky Business, AFL Players and the Law, Family Planning, Financial Structuring, Cross-Cultural Awareness Program, Media Training, Public Speaking/Presentations Skills, Working with Children
The club also holds an induction night for the new players and parents to advise them of what is done for the players and what is expected of them in return. Also outlined are the services available through the AFLPA.
The AFL provides compulsory workshops on Gambling, Anti-doping Policy, Racial Vilification and Harassment, Roles & Responsibility workshop for players.
However, one who sympathizes with Yvonne Hale is former Bulldog Rohan Smith who has just set up a support company called Goal Management. He has been joined in his efforts by Jim Stynes and his Outreach organization. According to Smith, players need more guidance in life skills rather than having everything done for them. Stynes said that the competition had to work harder helping players establish lives beyond the game.
South Australian football icon Barry Robran has come out in support of players who gamble on games. Robran disagrees with the AFL investigation and anti gambling policy, claiming it is making the game even more sterile.
Former champion players Dermott Brereton, Bobby Skilton, and Warwick Capper have also criticized the AFL's handling of the players involved. Brereton compared the anti-drug code in which players are not named until a third offense. He believes the AFL should back off Hale and Jack, who bets were less than a total of $20. Capper said the treatment of Jack was a disgrace. Skilton echoed Capper's sentiments and Collingwood Coach Mick Malthouse said the AFL was overreacting.
Source: skynews.com.au; Melbourne Age; Matt Harrington, Kangaroo Media Release; news.com.au; Gambling911.com; The Australian
Article last changed on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 3:11 AM EST
