We will list this one under the category "stories about Jon Faine's hockey club you won't hear on the radio".
The ABC morning radio host has a penchant for regaling his listeners with tales of his beloved hockey club, Yarra Valley. His veterans team made the finals this year, loyal listeners will know. What they don't know is that Faine's club has become embroiled in a homophobia scandal, in the very week the sport was trying to promote inclusion for gay and lesbian players.
![Hockey players wear rainbow socks during the "Fair go, sport!" campaign.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170906223920im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/l/1/5/s/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gjl11b.png/1442031143384.jpg)
Former Victorian goalkeeper Gus Johnston shone a spotlight into hockey's culture back in 2010, when he came out and declared that "homophobic language was rife" in the game.
Hockey has strived to stamp out homophobic slurs ever since. A Fair Go, Sport! round was initiated by the Human Rights Commission, with funding from the Australian Sports Commission, and was embraced by Hockey Victoria.
This year's Fair Go round ran from July 31 to August 5. Clubs were supplied with rainbow-coloured socks. Yarra Valley even hosted a lunch with Hockey Victoria chief executive and Fair Go, Sport ambassador Andrew Skillern. "We all have a role to play in making our club welcoming and inclusive for all," declared the promotion for that event.
Sadly, when push came to shove, the club and the sport's governing body came up short when an ugly incident reared its head.
On July 18, a Yarra Valley player ran past the Old Xaverians bench during a match.
According to the incident report lodged by Old Xaverians, the Yarra Valley player snapped: "What's the story with that gay towel?"
A Xavier player replied: "Mate, you cannot say that. That's not on ..."
The Yarra Valley player allegedly responded: "What are you going to do? Run on the field and f---- one of our players in the arse."
A fight then broke out.
Old Xavs lodged an official incident report citing "verbal abuse incorporating homophobic abuse" to Hockey Victoria.
A hearing was held on August 5, the final day of the Fair Go round. The Yarra Valley player was found guilty of making the homophobic comment.
His punishment? He was given an "official reprimand", ordered to make a written apology, and the tribunal accepted his "self-imposed penalty" of a one-week suspension.
I think that falls into the slap-on-the-wrist category.
In a final irony, the day after the hearing, Skillern wrote to all Victorian hockey clubs.
"The use of rainbow socks is an outstanding opportunity for each club to demonstrate to their own members how important inclusion is to them," he said. "We will all never fully understand the impact of such a strong demonstration of inclusion will have on individuals both within and outside hockey."
Wearing rainbow socks is one thing. Pulling up your socks and making a stand when homophobia actually rears its head is another.
Just something to ponder for Hockey Victoria's executives, as state league grand finals take place this Sunday, the body's biggest day of the year.
Or maybe it's a good discussion topic for talkback radio.
ZERO SUM GAIN
Tony Rizos, mate of failed punting club boss Bill Vlahos, pledged he would do "everything in my power" to pay back those he had tipped into collapsed betting syndicate The Edge. It seems Rizos has turned to the property game to raise some cash. Rizos has re-emerged as a real estate agent for Buxton Real Estate in Albert Park. Sadly, the number of properties he has listed at the moment is zero.
THE HECKLER
We've heard the tales of land banking from property buyers, and the stories of million-dollar Melbourne homes left vacant by overseas owners. This just might be Melbourne's first instance of car banking. Word on the street is a well-heeled Asian buyer walked into high-end car dealer Zagame and laid down $650,000 for a new Ferrari. He paid cash, too, goes the story. Only problem is, that was two years ago, and he hasn't been back to pick up his car. Bobby Zagame refused to comment on "privacy" grounds.