A West Australian country football club has issued a public apology after photos emerged of its president in a Charlie Kirk costume, featuring a gunshot wound to the neck.

South Bunbury Football Club (SBFC) held an event with a “famous dead person” theme to celebrate its one-point win over Busselton in Saturday’s South West Football League (SWFL) grand final.

Club president Nicky Waite was photographed at the event in a red “Make America Great Again” hat, a white shirt with “FREEDOM” written across the front, and fake blood coming from her neck. 

Charlie Kirk is stood with a microphone in one hand and a red cap in the other.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated at a university in Utah on September 11. (Reuters: Cheney Orr)

The event came two weeks after the American conservative activist was shot dead during a speaking engagement at a university in Utah.

Ms Waite said she did not intend 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,” she said.

“My choice [in costume] was not meant to cause discomfort.”A woman in a red polo shirt stands in front of a white brick wall.

Nicky Waite says her costume was not intended to cause discomfort. (Sourced/South Bunbury Football Club)

In a statement posted to social media, South Bunbury acknowledged the image and apologised on Ms Waite’s behalf.

“The choice of costume was not intended to make any political statement or commentary,” it said.

“Nonetheless, we recognise that the timing and nature of the portrayal were regrettable.”

In a joint statement, WA Football and WA Country Football confirmed they were investigating the incident. 

“While we encourage teams to celebrate the end of their seasons respectfully, on this occasion the dress-ups were distasteful and do not reflect the values of WA Football or Country Football WA,” it said. 

‘Shocking’ timing

SWFL president Barry Tate said the act was careless, and issued a warning about the reach of social media.

“[The event] was probably on the same day he [Charlie Kirk] was getting buried so the timing is absolutely shocking,” he 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.”

A man with glasses in a grey shirt smiling at camera.

Barry Tate says the SWFL cannot take responsibility for policing individual clubs. (Supplied)

Mr Tate said while the league ran annual sessions around club culture and governance, it was ultimately up to individual clubs to take responsibility for their members.

“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,” he said.

“It’s a South Bunbury issue — we can’t be policing all clubs and what they do.

“They’ve been on the front foot already and apologised for the actions of the president.”

The incident is the latest in a period of controversy for the club.

Reports of misogyny and racism in the club’s ranks were made public in 2022, sparking a WA Football investigation.

The inquiry ended with the club being ordered to add more women to its board and other leadership positions.