AS a kid growing up in Victoria, there was nothing I liked more than the rare occasion I got to go and watch the footy with my family.
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Sitting there with my meat pie cheering on my team was something that has had a lasting impact on me and my love of sport in general.
However, recent spectator-on-spectator violence at sports venues has left me thinking that the next generation of sports fans will have far different memories of their early days at the footy.
We are only eight weeks into the AFL season and so far footage has emerged of six different fights in the crowd.
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Some have included young supporters throwing punches left and right, while another saw a disabled man punched after an altercation.
To me this isn't good enough.
The beauty of sport is that it is one of the most inclusive aspects of life.
It doesn't matter how talented you are, all that matters is that you are passionate and try your best.
But, if we can't go to watch our favourite sport without the fear of a fight breaking out, that love of sport will soon be lost.
Some codes are taking proactive steps to help limit the amount of confrontation at sporting events. For instance, on May 25, soccer games across our region will be taking part in Shoosh Saturday.
The day requires spectators and coaches to observe the game in silence.
While the concept of a noiseless spectator sport confuses me somewhat, it is comforting to know someone is doing something to help limit confrontations at sporting games and encourage our next generation of sports stars to have fun.
At the end of the day, that is truly what sport is about: having fun.
While these acts of violence leave a sour taste in the mouth, it won't ever distract me and millions of other Australians from what we love about sport.
So please, if something like this happens to you, remember it is just a game and that is always best to just walk away.
I'll see you at the footy.
Billy Jupp is an ACM sports journalist.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
