The Ballarat FNL wishes to make the following statement regarding the Sebastopol Football Netball Club's Under 17 Senior Football side.
The Under 17 Senior Team of the Sebastopol Football Netball Club (Sebastopol) was provisionally suspended by the League pending the outcome of an investigation on 7 May 2024.
On Monday 27 May 2024, the provisional suspension was subject to legal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
The League and Sebastopol would like to advise that the Magistrates’ Court has found the League made errors in its handling of the investigation and the imposition of the provisional suspension.
Consequently, the provisional suspension of the Sebastopol Under 17 Senior Team has been lifted.
The team will be available to return to play this weekend.
The League and Sebastopol would like to thank all Sebastopol players, parents, and supporters for their patience and understanding.
In particular, the League and Sebastopol recognise the maturity and positive attitude of the Sebastopol Under 17 Senior players in these challenging past few weeks.
The League acknowledges its error in provisionally suspending the Under 17 Senior and affirms its commitment to adhering to its policies and processes and to learning from this experience.
Both the League and Sebastopol also wish to confirm their commitment to providing a safe and positive environment for players, umpires, officials and spectators alike so that they can experience our great game of Australian rules football to the fullest extent in a positive manner.
