Olympics chief John Coates has fired a controversial salvo in the battle over sports funding by comparing a list of so-called “national ethos” sports to the White Australia policy.
Coates took a further shot at the Crawford report, which has highlighted a funding bias in favour of Olympic sports and suggested more money should go to mass participation sports which typify the Australian psyche, such as netball, cricket, tennis, golf, the various football codes and surfing.
“To say that some sports are part of the national ethos and some are not is almost going back to the White Australia days,” the Australian Olympic Committee president told reporters on Wednesday.
“We have got sports that are evolving and are of interest to our new population, particularly those coming from Asia who are very keen on sports such as table tennis and badminton.
“They should have that opportunity,” he said after chairing a meeting that included Olympians Robert de Castella and Chris Fydler, called to formulate a response to the Crawford report for the federal government.
“We think the diversity of sports available to Australians should continue,” Mr Coates said.
“We have evolved as a society, particularly in the last 20 or 30 years.
“We have a very multicultural society with different interests in sport.
“We don’t think we should go down the route that the East Germans went when they specialised.”
Coates said the meeting was “made a lot easier for us” by federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis’s recent statement that there would be additional funding for community sport as well as Olympic and Paralympic sport.
“It is not going to be a question of one or the other, as we were led to believe as we looked at the Crawford report, had that been taken up,” he said.
Businessman David Crawford’s report delivered a stinging rebuff to the AOC’s calls for an extra $100 million a year for 10 years for Olympic sports, saying that money would be better spent elsewhere.
But Coates, who has previously dismissed the report as disrespectful and insulting to Australia’s Olympic greats, said he had received “some encouraging signals” from the minister when they met last Sunday.
“We cleared the air over a few things,” he said.
“She wants to work with us so we can help her secure that (extra funding) from the (government’s) expenditure review committee.
“I am confident we’re going to give it a good shot.
“The minister does understand that if we are to maintain our position (on the Olympic medals table) this money has got to be available very soon.”
The government is due to respond to the Crawford report early next year.
Coates said Wednesday’s meeting also disagreed with the Crawford report suggestion that the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) be separated, and the AIS take over all state institutes of sport.
Paralympian Kurt Fearnley said: “It’s sad but dollars is what makes the sporting system go round, especially with high performance athletes.
“Australia will need to do something to stay up there.”
Judo representative Catherine Arlove said: “Some of the low profile sports will suffer if the funding is sucked out of the system.”
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
This part of your Bastard who keeps all Bastards honest policy Art :o I just want to say that Australia has some problems with Race but it certainly has plenty more problems with accusations/counter-accusations of racism, much like the States was traditionally/is still in many small/larger communities. But things seem to be getting better, but the key is to be progressing...and seeing yourself progress otherwise the sacrifices of the past are in vain But I think the premise of this thread is on the money, in as far as there is still a majoritarian approach to sport in this country. All major sports are all trying to appeal to the bradest market and any (counter)accusations of elitism are like ICBMs, they serve no more purpose than to keep people feeling a bit safer. But sport is not about fitting in, tho it does help those who are insecure fit in a bit more than they otherwise would. Just look at the NRL booze wagon for example and its easy to see what an insidious culture of trying to fit in at all costs achieves/results in. But anyway sport is about excelling at that which you're best at and some people are best at minority sports, while others are happy to fit in but only do so well at the majority sports.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
It's not too bad - I only count one of our number that has been actually banned.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Gee, its pretty heated in this thread. I propose a moratorium on the AFL/NRL code war until the New Year. Its not only the off-season, but the season for goodwill as well. You can charge your batteries for next season and spend the rest of the holiday season just bagging "football" instead. :)
Shahsan
Guest
Passion is good. Passion I can understand. But a boofheaded inability to discuss anything without making your sport the centre of the universe -- that, I cannot understand.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I would have thought the AFL has come a long way in terms of dealing with racism on the park. In Spain or Italy, you can't go to a soccer game without listening to monkey sounds all game.
Michael C
Roar Guru
btw - typo THere’s a specific focus by the VFL VRL on the Maori and Islander demographic in Melbourne/Victoria.
Redb
Roar Guru
"But back to my point RedB, how many decades was the VFL behind the NSWRL/QLDRL in allowing Aboriginals to play, captain and represent the club, states and national teams?" This part I'll address. I have no idea why the VFL took longer but it would be fair to say that Victoria has tradtionally had a much smaller indigenous popualtion than either NSW and QLD and that might have had something to do with it. It wasn't until Western Australians started playing in the VFL like Polly Farmer at Geelong in the 1960s and 1970s that indigenous players really kicked on. Today over 70 indigenous players are on AFL lists and the game is far better for it. The VFL/AFL unfortuantely had issues with racism for sometime, right up until Nicky Winmar lifted his St Kilda jumper and showed his black skin to the Collingwood faithful who were hassling him. Followed by Michael long who challenged a racist insult from Damien Monkhurst which brought the issue to light. The AFL brought in an education policy and penalties with ZERO tolerance for racism. The game is far better for it but not perfect. Redb
Spencer
Guest
GOLD..lol.. Its been so long since I have read a good fart joke (story). Thanks Rod.
Michael C
Roar Guru
9s is a very common form of Aust Footy across the world (or 12s - - depending upon A. venue available and B. regular numbers) there are regular tournaments such as the Dubai 9s, and Bali 9s, and the Euro Championships use a 9s format, (note also, recFooty in Australia I think tends to be an '8s' format). I'm working on a Melb based pre-season 9s lightning premiership......for fun, for something a bit different and for when the cricketers are often still tied up and footy teams can struggle to have full availability for seniors and ressies full sides practice matches.
Michael C
Roar Guru
by Rod's measure - it must be, you see, he's picking on us for refering to the NZ expat/islander following and high participation for the Storm and VRL in general, and that apparently is deemed 'racist', whereas, we live here and know that there is a specific focus on that demographic, for us to OBSERVE and comment (positively on it) is hardly racist, but, if Rod believes it to be racist, then, so too is any comment around Indigenous all-stars games. Surely??
Michael C
Roar Guru
It depends - are you just here to cause trouble??
Michael C
Roar Guru
Are you confusing the VFL based in Melbourne/Victoria with stuff all 'local' indigenous lads with the code as a whole? Check the history of indigenous players in the SANFL and WAFL. The biggest issue for so long was the culture shock of indigenous players coming to Melbourne and it's cold winters as well. It took quite some time to develop the skills/knowledge etc to make that transition more possible......and the imperitive was very much heightened by the nationalised league......my club North Melbourne was exploring the possibilities very much so in the early 80s with Jim and Phil Krakouer coming over from Claremont and Robert and Rodney Cockatoo who came down from Cairns but struggle to acclimatise. To that time, there were still VFL clubs who had never 'employed' an indigenous lad. That was sad. The society in general was very racist, and as a young fella growing up watching the Krakouer boys - the abuse from opposition supporters was saddening, but, their footy did the talking and usually won the grudging respect/admiration along with further abuse, that, similar to cricket crowds abusing Imran, Hadlee or Beefy BOtham was actually a measure of respect. Strange that.....the more they 'rate' someone, the more they felt able to abuse that person. Me thinx we've all moved on a bit and grown up as a society. But - if you wish to make it a code vs code 'racist' thing......fine.
Redb
Roar Guru
re rugby 7's, well I never said anything about 9's. So I dont know what your on about. In fact your generalisations are coming thick and fast about AFL and AFL fans.
Springs
Guest
How is the All Stars game racist? It gives indigenous players a chance to represent their people, it's not like their is an Aboriginal team in the NRL and all the Indigenous players are forced to play for them.
Redb
Roar Guru
You confuse passion for the game with insularity. That is a common mistake.
Shahsan
Guest
Because of the insularity. You think your sport is a big deal, and it is, in Australia. But don't be so ignorant. The world is a bigger place.
Springs
Guest
Rod I agree with what you're saying mate. (Except for the racist RedB part), but you gotta settle down.
Redb
Roar Guru
that's Ok. It;s all rugby isn't? ;-) You lot got on about this so much it's just too precious.
Redb
Roar Guru
No worries mate, just dont wear out the h and a.
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
LOL again I can't see much mention from you Pip about RU, clearly LT was disadvantaged, can't believe anyone actually bought the straw man case that was his speciality sport. C'mon no rucking, no rolling maul, none of the 'athletic' skills needed to excel at RU! ;)