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Craig Foster wrote: “Colour-blind code shades the others for diversity” in yesterday’s Sydney Morning Herald. Just how many times is this bloke going to talk about the same issues and arguments nearly every week?
Surely there are more pressing matters to discuss in Australian soccer.
But as a rugby league fan I will take up this sport’s baton to declare Craig, you are dead wrong! You proudly boast: “In football we shake our heads when a player signs for less than $2 million a year in another sport and it’s big news.” Craig, I know a whole nation that has become more than a little tiresome of these so-called super paid prima donnas. This was exemplified by the national disgust in France following the antics of the French national football team during the South African World Cup.
It might surprise you that a friend of mine, a migrant from the southern part of England, will be followed the St George-Illawarra Dragons yesterday in the grand final. She recounts first seeing rugby league five years ago and saying to local people how amazing it was to watch ‘athletes’ putting their bodies on the line for such ‘little’ money.
She now has zero interest in the ‘big money’ race of the English Premier League where the fattest wallet seems to win a title for a limited number of teams. For her, sport is again about “the spirit not the big dollars mentality which pervades soccer”. For her ‘footy’ is rugby league and the Dragons! Less money doesn’t make the likes of Slater, Lockyer or Inglis someone you wouldn’t pay to watch or passionately follow. To us that is bargain value all the way to the ‘entertainment’ bank.
But my friend is not alone. Throughout the week, papers covering the grand final build up have splashed pictures of eager fans. Names like Mohamad Boussi and Apollini are as passionate as any. But wait; don’t these surnames suggest they come from nations that count soccer as their favourite past-time? TV cameras also panned excited groups of fans where one could see young Asian teens and adults chanting for the Roosters, or young Muslim women wearing their traditional headwear in the Dragon colours.
Then there is the diversity on the rugby league field. A South African migrant played in the grand final along with Kiwis and Pacific Islanders. Also don’t forget the thing that gels diversity in this country – Indigenous players aptly not mentioned. Overseas born players or first generation migrants running around the NRL come from all over the Pacific, Middle East, Europe, England, and New Zealand. In fact, all around Australia new immigrants are welcomed into the game.
The Toyota Cup grand final featured an Afghan refugee Omar Slaimankhal. The QLD Cup final had Zimbabwean refugee Gideon Mzembe score a try, and the Cambodian brothers Channerith and Channerath Ly featured in the NSW Cup.
But I don’t think Craig Foster represents the majority of former Socceroos or top players who think the way he does. People like Craig Johnston and Harry Kewell have come from areas such as Western Sydney, play the game that suits them, are happy with their achievements through Australian ‘football’ and still manage to follow rugby league.
Rugby league is the last sport to tell others what to do. You can even come from a famous league family and still be encouraged to follow your dreams regardless of your game. This is well exemplified by names currently running around the AFL, such as Bevan, Gilbert and Jack.
You’re right Craig Foster in one aspect. There were two teams out there yesterday worth the financial equivalent of one English Premier League player. But for the excitement levels these 34 athletes provided priceless entertainment, even beyond the value of your precious prima donnas.
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