PRELIMINARY final day 2018 is a moment in time Willaston footballer Jamie Clarke will never forget, as it started a long journey of education about indigenous Australians.
In the Barossa, Light & Gawler senior colts match against South Gawler, the then 17-year-old racially insulted an opposition player.
While it was in the heat of the moment, it was something Clarke instantly regretted.
“He brought up some of my family, and I brought his into it…when I thought about it after and seeing his reaction, I knew it definitely wasn’t the right thing to say,” he said.
Following the match, the Donnybrooks were notified about Clarke’s comments, and set up a meeting with the victim’s family, Clarke’s family, and members of both football clubs to seek reconciliation.
Willaston has a number of indigenous footballers on its playing list, including Shaun Childs, Lee Sutton and Michael Clinch, with the former present in the two meetings that followed the on-field incident.
“I had that immediate sense of regret,” Clarke said.
“I apologised to the player, his dad and my (indigenous) team-mates during that time.
“I learned about the background and how those words can hurt and affect someone.
“The education was a good experience and I learned a lot from that, and to learn about things before I say them.”
Prior to the reconciliation sessions, Clarke admitted he had little education about indigenous Australians.
“I wasn’t educated much, even throughout school it wasn’t much spoken about, but talking to the boys here they’ve helped provide a bit of an understanding,” he said.
Clarke was fortunate to play in the grand final later that week and celebrate a premiership, as the Donnybrooks defeated Tanunda by five points.
However, the preliminary final incident stuck with him, and not only changed his approach football, but also to life.
“As a 17-year-old kid, I was pretty nervous and frustrated with myself knowing you’ve done the wrong thing,” Clarke said.
“I definitely think about what I say before I say it now.”
Willaston president Kieran Sankey said sitting through the process of reconciliation was a powerful experience.
“It (reconciliation) went quite well, both players were able to speak about how they were affected,” he said.
“For me, going through the process and Jamie being an underage player at the time, for him to see how his comments had affected somebody, and not just one person – especially when it comes to comments regarding race – it certainly can affect other people.
“To hear how his words not only affected the individual he said it to, but also his family and senior indigenous players from our club…Jamie learned a hell of a lot.
“It’s about getting an understanding of how we move forward from here.”
Mr Sankey believed education rather than punishment would send a stronger message to the young footballer.
“I think it was much more powerful for Jamie to go through the process and learn how it affected someone, rather than have a penalty slammed down on him,” he said.
“I think it’s much more powerful to go through the process.”