A-League’s active support policies will benefit Australian Football
The newly implemented A-League active support policies have caused a stir amongst fans. But, as Stephen Ganavas explains, it could help in ensuring football’s growing popularity in Australia.
Last season, issues erupted across the A-League, but specifically at Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, as the league moved to restrict active ends at both clubs. However, over the off-season, both clubs, in association with Football Federation Australia (FFA), have sought to address these problems.
Last season, protocol was established by the FFA, in conjunction with local police, in anticipation of a season in an attempt to curb ‘hooligan’ behaviour amongst active supporter groups. This was created in an attempt to help the league’s image, with football repeatedly hitting the country’s largest news outlets headlined by extravagant claims of a hooligan culture within the A-League’s active supporter groups.
While there is little doubt that there is a small minority of violent people within these groups, the way in which an entire group was forced to endure the punishment that should have been reserved for a select few, did not have the desired effect of curbing crowd violence. It purely created more tension.
The truth is, violence at football games is no different to violence at AFL games, cricket games, horse-racing, or any other sport played in Melbourne. Unfortunately, due to historical incidents of hooliganism overseas, violence at football matches in Australia tends to be overblown by the media.
The FFA protocols introduced to curb violence in Melbourne Victory’s North Terrace, consisted of three key ideas.
- Restricting the size of the active support area, while at the same time placing tarpaulin around the borders of the area to keep it separated from the rest of the crowd.
- To access this active area, you had to be registered as a Melbourne Victory active member. If you weren’t a Victory member there was no way of experiencing what it was like to be an active supporter. To enter the active area, you were required to scan your membership to gain entry.
- Large supporter banners were banned.
This created animosity between the three groups.
Victory fans felt victimised, and felt that the FFA was limiting the growth of Victory support, while condemning the heavy-handed approach of police officers.
On the other hand, the FFA saw a stagnation in Victory’s crowd numbers, and a distinct change in atmosphere at Victory matches. The carnival atmosphere once enjoyed by all, had been replaced by a more somber, tense, and even threatening environment.
As a Victory fan myself, it was evident that crowd violence had become more apparent last season, than any season beforehand.
The North Terrace had last season maintained an active dialogue with the club during the tumultuous period, and at its conclusion, sat down with the club to address the problems of the 2013/14 season.
They seem to have reached a logical conclusion.
This year, the club and the North Terrace have the best of both worlds. Active support is being promoted and outsiders have been encouraged to engage in the action. While for Melbourne Victory, outsiders wishing to be a part of the terrace for a one-off experience can still be identified, as they must exchange their General Admission ticket for a North Terrace ticket at a booth outside the stadium before kick-off. In doing so, the club can identify the newcomer through their association with another club member or through their own non-North Terrace membership details.
With this, it is unlikely we will see another repeat of scenes at Etihad Stadium last season, when Victory’s active support boycotted the active support area for the third tier of the stadium.
Furthermore, this plan is aimed at reducing the stigma of the ‘it’s us against them’ culture, which brewed last system after the Terrace was separated from other sections of the stadium.
Such action must be applauded.
It must be with consultation between multiple stakeholders that this issue is addressed. By doing this, it ensures that each group has their grievances are heard, meaning that no one is left feeling victimised by new policy. In addition, it builds a relationship wherein supporter groups will co-operate more successfully with other things; such as turning unruly fans into the police, rather than opting for self-preservation of members.
This is the only way the league can continue to create a positive image, an image that will endear families to the unique crowd atmosphere that only a football match can bring.
Together, clubs and supporters alike can show the average Australian just how special this sport is. There’s a reason why it’s called the beautiful game.
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