The president of a suburban Western Australian football club has issued an apology after she attended a costume party dressed as American political activist Charlie Kirk complete with blood dripping from a fake gunshot wound to her neck.
South Bunbury Football Club President Nicky Waite wore the outfit to a gathering held to celebrate the club’s South West Football League (SWFL) grand final victory against Busselton, and the theme required guests to dress as a ‘famous dead person’.
An image has since been circulating on social media showing Ms Waite wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white shirt, with the word ‘Freedom’ written across it in capital letters.
Ms Waite also donned a red ‘Make America Great Again’ baseball cap.
Shockingly, the club president also appeared to have dripped fake blood from her neck and onto her T-shirt.
Kirk was assassinated on September 10, when he was shot in the neck while giving a lecture at a Utah university.
The president of the South Bunbury Football Club, Nicky Waite (right) has apologised for dressing up as deceased American political activist Charlie Kirk
Ms Waite posed next to an unknown individual and had appended the words ‘Rip Charlie Kirk’ with a heart emoji across the front of the image.
The club executive, who assumed her role as South Bunbury’s first-ever female president back in January 2024, has since apologised for the costume, adding that she had not intended to cause offence.
‘I understand my costume may have been interpreted in ways that were not intended, especially when emotions and sensitivities are still quite fresh,’ Waite told ABC Sport.
‘My choice [in costume] was not meant to cause discomfort.’
The Daily Mail has contacted South Bunbury to request a statement from Ms Waite.
Mr Kirk had been speaking at Utah Valley University in front of a crowd of around 3,000 people before he was shot in the neck. His suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is facing seven counts over the shooting, including a capital murder charge.
The activist, who died aged 31, co-founded the organisation, Turning Point USA, back in 2012. The body is a not-for-profit that advocates for conservative causes.
He was also recognised as a prominent figure involved in the MAGA movement and was a friend of President Donald Trump.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday, September 10, after the American was shot in the neck while giving a lecture at a Utah university
South Bunbury has also issued a public statement on the club’s Facebook page condemning Ms Waite’s fancy dress outfit.
‘We have today become aware of an image circulating that depicts our Club President dressed as Charlie Kirk, a well-known American political commentator, as part of a themed event held earlier this week,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The theme of the event was ‘Famous Dead Person,’ and the portrayal was intended to reflect that theme in a theatrical and humorous way. However, in light of Mr. Kirk’s recent and tragic death, we acknowledge that this depiction was inappropriate and may be viewed as insensitive.
‘We wish to make it clear that the choice of costume was not intended to make any political statement or commentary. Nonetheless, we recognise that the timing and nature of the portrayal were regrettable.’
The club also revealed that they have been in contact with league officials regarding the matter.
‘We offer our sincere apologies to anyone who may have been offended or distressed by the image. The Club President was unaware of the image being circulated and did not intend to cause harm. We are reviewing our internal processes to ensure future events are conducted with greater awareness and respect.
‘Country Football WA, their Media Team, and the Integrity Unit have been made aware of the situation, and we will cooperate fully with any guidance or inquiries.
‘We remain committed to upholding the values of respect, accountability, and community, and we thank those who brought this matter to our attention.
‘Please accept Nicky’s sincere apology.’
Ms Waite (pictured) was appointed as the club’s first-ever female president in January 2024. She stated that she did not mean to cause any offence by wearing the fancy-dress outfit
WA Football and Country Football WA stated that they were aware of the image and would continue their investigation with South Bunbury.
‘While we encourage teams to celebrate the end of their seasons respectfully, on this occasion the dress-ups were distasteful and does not reflect the values of WA Football or Country Football WA,’ a spokesperson said.
The decision to wear the costume has been dubbed ‘careless’ by SWFL boss Barry Tate.
‘[The event] was probably on the same day he [Charlie Kirk] was getting buried so the timing is absolutely shocking,’ Tate said.
‘It was meant to be a private post, but if you think private posts won’t get out in the public domain, you really have to think again.’
He added that the league conducts annual sessions to educate clubs and their representatives on acting accordingly, but that South Bunbury had to take responsibility as a club for how its president has acted.
‘We go to each club at the start of the season and we do governance training, which covers social media, racism, drugs and umpire respect,’ Tate said.
‘It’s a South Bunbury issue – we can’t be policing all clubs and what they do.
South Bunbury condemned the costume on social media, branding it ‘regrettable’
‘They’ve been on the front foot already and apologised for the actions of the president.’
It comes as the South Bunbury Football Club has been embroiled in multiple recent controversies.
In 2022, half of the club’s women’s team quit halfway through the season after claiming that they had been subjected to racist and sexist behaviour within the club.
Following an inquiry, the club was ordered to introduce more female members to its board.
The Daily Mail has contacted the SWFL for comment.
