Bushrangers take a loss but stand by their teammate

Last week the Beechworth Bushrangers faced a tough match against Chiltern, taking a loss 8.6 (54) to 8.13 (61). Players, Liam Stephens, Connor Stone, Finn Jakobsson, Campbell Fendyk, Tristan Lenaz and Dayne Carey were celebrated for their standout performances. Hosting the Indigenous Round was an honour for the Beechworth Football & Netball Club (BFNC) as they announced on Facebook - a celebration that holds deep significance for the community. The BFNC honoured and acknowledged the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work, and play, paying their deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging with a smoking ceremony, playing the didgeridoo and Welcome to Country on match-day. Both clubs wore specially designed Indigenous jumpers for the occasion. Disappointingly, Beechworth player Tristan Lenaz was subject to racial vilification by a Chiltern player on the field. The proud Trawllulwuy and Pairrebeenne man took a courageous stand against the racism he faced, going public with the incident. The Chiltern player was issued a formal warning by the club and has been issued a club-imposed four-week suspension. The offending player has written an apology letter to Lenaz and must undergo a mandatory cultural awareness program before being available for selection again. On their Facebook Beechworth Football and Netball Club said the BFNC committee and wider community stand in full support of Lenaz and his family. "We admire his courage in speaking openly about this difficult situation," they said. "Racism has no place in sport or in society, and we are with him every step of the way. "Always was and always will be." While the Bushrangers are taking a break this week, the TDFL are playing Hume FNL in interleague, featuring a few Beechworth players in the squad. The match will be held on 12 July at Urana Road Oval, Lavington. Brent Lillis is coaching the TDFL team, while Myles Aalbers is coaching the Hume league team. It will be a one-point player only competition and the game will be contested for the Peter Copley Cup.

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