Football club posts 'people are more than headlines' after coach charged with rape

The Northern Tasmanian Football Association says it is "deeply troubled" by a country football club's social media activity, after its former coach was charged with three counts of rape.Former Bracknell Football Club coach Josh Adams is facing rape charges, with police confirming they charged a 44-year-old man with the offences, alleged to have occurred in April last year.He is scheduled to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court early next year.An independent media outlet first reported the charges, and also detailed private messages exchanged between Bracknell Football Club president Nicole Jones and the mother of Mr Adams's alleged victim.Ms Jones then apologised and resigned.But the ABC has since seen copies of a post on the club's Facebook page calling for the club to stand together and saying "we must remember that people are more than headlines, allegations or one difficult chapter"."We cannot let division tear apart something that has brought so many people together," the post also said."And we cannot allow this chapter to become the final chapter of something so special."AFL Tasmania said it was now reviewing related social media activity for potential breaches of the National Community Football Policy Handbook.It said it would work with the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA) and the club to ensure these matters were appropriately addressed.The NTFA said it was "deeply troubled" by the recent events involving Bracknell Football Club and subsequent social media activity.It said it recognised the distress these circumstances may have caused, particularly to the alleged victim and others affected."The club has been asked to cease public commentary about this matter that may cause further distress or harm to those involved," it said.'Safeguarding responsibilities' to be highlightedThe NTFA said it would engage directly with its member clubs to reinforce their safeguarding responsibilities, expected standards of conduct and obligations when responding to allegations of sexual violence and other serious misconduct.It also said it would engage "an appropriately qualified practitioner to provide practical guidance and education to clubs and their volunteers, particularly in responding to disclosures and allegations of sexual violence in a trauma-informed, respectful and accountable manner".It said it had a pre-existing safeguarding framework, to which all clubs were required to commit."Community football should be an environment where everyone feels safe, supported and respected," it said."The NTFA is committed to maintaining those standards, strengthening safeguarding practices across its competition and holding its member clubs accountable to the expectations they have committed to uphold."Association says it 'acted promptly'The NTFA said it became aware Mr Adams was expected to face serious criminal charges on October 16.It said it became aware of concerning messages attributed to Ms Jones days later on October 23.It said it "acted promptly" referring the matter to the AFL for independent consideration and making clear its expectation that the president stand aside from all official club duties.The president subsequently issued an apology and stood down."The NTFA also made clear that the former president was not to continue exercising any official responsibilities within the club while stood down," the NTFA said.Neither the NTFA or AFL Tasmania said when they first became aware of the allegations about Mr Adams, but have said the circumstances surrounding the criminal allegations remain before the courts and a matter for the police.The Bracknell Football Club has been contacted for comment.