As Alastair Clarkson prepares to face the heat for abusing an official at his son’s under-9s football game, West Coast AFL coach John Worsfold says everyone in the community has a responsibility to be a role model, not just players and coaches.
Clarkson, a premiership-winning coach who has Hawthorn in the hunt for another flag this year, could be banned from any involvement with VFL and TAC Cup sides if he is found guilty of unacceptable behaviour after swearing at an umpire’s adviser last Sunday.
The 44-year-old was performing a role as a runner in that game, and will face the South Metro Junior Football League tribunal within the next week over the swearing incident.
It caps a bad few days for the Hawks, who had to deal with the fallout of star forward Lance Franklin losing his licence for driving 40km/h over the limit, and a late-night incident involving Jarrad Boumann.
Debate has long raged about whether past and present athletes should have to carry the extra responsibility of being pin-up role models.
Current Carlton captain Chris Judd has always had the view that AFL players shouldn’t necessarily be placed on a pedestal and be viewed as role models just because of their on-field feats.
Worsfold is acutely aware of how star players are idolised by the next generation, but said it was up to everyone in the community to set a high standard of behaviour.
The 2006 premiership-winning coach is a regular attendee at junior footy games, and said he conducts himself like all the other dads when he watches his son Charlie’s Under-10 matches.
“I view myself as a role model because I’m breathing, I’m a person, I’m part of the community – not because I’m an AFL coach,” Worsfold said on Wednesday.
“I would like to think as a dad, you’re a role model to your family and you’re a role model to other people who have contact with you.
“But in our position, we’re also publicly in the eye on TV a lot as well.
“I’m certainly aware of my responsibilities, I’m conscious of that fact, but I would like to think my values are around regardless of being a coach.”
Worsfold joked his standing in junior footy circles had taken a battering over the past fortnight following heavy defeats to Adelaide and Sydney.
“The under-10s coach doesn’t want any information from me, especially after the last two weeks. He’s flying alone,” Worsfold said with a laugh.
“I don’t play an official role. I think I’m due to cut the oranges up soon. I reckon I’ll be able to do that without getting into strife.”
The fifth-placed Eagles will fancy their chances of returning to the winners’ list on Sunday when they take on Brisbane at Patersons Stadium.
