Arabic version: نادٍ في ملبورن يطلب مراجعة بعد نقل مباراة للفتيات

According to ABC News, Boroondara Eagles Football Club has sought an explanation after an under-12 girls’ match at Caloola Reserve in Oakleigh was halted at half-time so an under-11 boys’ team could use the field. The Melbourne club said the July 12 incident raised concerns over whether the girls’ points match received the same protection and importance as the boys’ fixture.

In a social-media statement, the club said the girls waited 40 minutes before being directed to another field. It described that surface as substantially different, waterlogged and unsafe, and said the match was abandoned. Boroondara Eagles said the episode had deeply affected players, families and coaching staff, with one young female coach leaving the venue in tears.

The club declined to take part in a rescheduled fixture against Monash City Villarreal FC and asked Football Victoria to investigate. It also sought clarification on whether the events amounted to gender discrimination under Football Victoria policies and frameworks. The club said it had lodged the matter with Football Australia’s core integrity team and the City of Monash, which operates Caloola Reserve.

Football Victoria said it acknowledged the concerns and distress experienced by those involved. It said the matter was being handled through its formal Member Protection process and that it could not comment further while that process continued. The governing body is also reviewing expectations for clubs on match-day decisions, communications about abandonments, pitch use, fixture clashes and referee support. The City of Monash said it strongly supported women’s and girls’ sport and had sought an explanation from Football Victoria.

Robert Stock, whose daughter was playing that day, said the girls had been discriminated against because they were girls. Boroondara Eagles said no player should feel their match, team or opportunity to participate is less important because they are girls.