Country footballers face forfeit as prisoner program reviewed
Six prisoners who play football in Victoria's north-east are likely to miss Saturday’s game amid a review into the program which allows their temporary release.
Beechworth Football Club president John Thistleton said he had been in contact with the government and corrections authorities with concerns the reserves side will have to forfeit this weekend's match against Kiewa-Sandy Creek.
The club relies on two senior players and four reserves players from Beechworth Correctional Centre to complete their teams.
News this week that one-punch killer Dylan Closter had been playing near Shepparton led to a ban on violent offenders taking to the field, and a review of the program.
Mr Thistleton said the six inmates had not been able to train with the club this week as the program had been put on hold.
It now appears unlikely they will play, which Mr Thistleton said could have wider ramifications for the competition.
“At this stage they might be really hard to replace,” he said.
“We’ll do our best to put a side on the ground, but it will be a difficult task.”
The club has had a long-running arrangement allowing prisoners to be picked up from the minimum-security jail to play matches, and then taken back straight after games.
Mr Thistleton wrote to Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Corrections Gayle Tierney on Thursday, noting the program “has been hugely successful for our club and for the prisoners themselves”.
He sought clarity about the review, and how long it is expected to take.
Tallangatta and District Football League manager Rex Gray said there had been no problems with any inmates on the field.
“From my knowledge, they’re on their best behaviour on their day out,” he said.
“They get picked up and taken straight back to prison as soon as they’re finished.”
Mr Thistleton said several clubs would be affected if the reserves were forced to forfeit.
“Without our prisoners, we are likely to have to forfeit our reserves game,” he said.
“This means that 40 young men in our community will miss out on a game of football because Beechworth couldn’t field a side.
“If nothing is resolved by the next week, then 40 young men will also miss out on a game when we play the Wodonga Saints.”
The club's participation in the prisoner program had made them reliant on it, he said.
Mr Thistleton said the changes were disappointing, particularly at such a late stage in the season, but he is still hoping for a positive outcome.
It's unclear how long the review will take to complete.