Source : ABC NEWS
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon is proud of the way the club reacted after he offended a group of the club’s First Nations players.
Lyon conceded he “made an error” and was held to account by his players regarding his remarks during a training session earlier this month.
As three First Nations players linked up with the ball at training, Lyon said: “I love the brother boy connection, but we all have to remember we are part of a bigger team here.”
Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera were among those who took exception to the comment, with Hill contacting Lyon the following day.
Lyon met with the group and resolved the situation, with the players satisfied their coach had said the wrong thing but had not intended to be racist.
Today, Lyon said there was no formal complaint made to the AFL.
He rejected suggestions Saints chief executive Carl Dilena should have been brought in to handle the issue at the time.
“It was a really great process driven by the players,” Lyon said.
“It talks to our environment in the way it was handled, and the shop floor took care of it.
“If there had been an impasse and a complaint, it would have been taken outside of that office and escalated.
“Those that are alluding to, ‘Why didn’t it go to the CEO?’ it’s because it became a non-issue that was resolved really quickly and appropriately.”
Hill and Wanganeen-Milera have shown public support for Lyon since the issue was first made public through a Seven Network report on Monday night.
It was reported Lyon offered his resignation at the time of the incident.
But today he moved to clarify that situation.
“All relationships are built on trust … so the context of that was, ‘If you don’t think I can rebuild the trust, I would consider my position,'” Lyon said.
The coach said he “hugged it out” with the First Nations players at their meeting.
“I am grateful that we got together. It’s a psychologically safe environment, we’re all accountable,” Lyon said.
“Everyone talks about psychological safety and the ability to be your authentic self, express yourself and your opinion, and be safe about it and be heard.
“That’s what occurred, and we’re really proud of that.”
St Kilda next plays Carlton at Docklands on Saturday night.
AAP
