‘Role model’ might not be the first term that comes to mind when Anthony Mundine is mentioned.
But NRL welfare and education manager Dean Widders believes the polarising boxer is just that and hopes to invite him to future indigenous rugby league player camps in a bid to inspire youngsters.
As coordinator of the inaugural indigenous players’ camp ahead of next weekend’s All Stars showdown, Widders on Friday officially welcomed more than 40 NRL players and selected youngsters for the three-day event on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
In what ex-NRL player Widders hopes becomes an annual event, the camp will touch on every aspect of indigenous culture including everything from storytellers and street rappers to spear throwing and didgeridoo playing.
Far from fazed by Mundine’s latest antics, Widders believed the former Dragons playmaker would be a perfect fit for the camp and hoped to invite him in the future.
“Definitely – he is a real mentor to a lot of these players. ‘Choc’ (Mundine) is definitely someone the boys look to for inspiration,” Widders told AAP.
“The way he lives his life and dedicates it to sport is a great way to follow, I think.”
Mundine again raised eyebrows by using the race card ahead of this week’s IBF middleweight bout with compatriot Daniel Geale in Sydney.
He claimed league great Laurie Daley never embraced his Aboriginal heritage and said “Uncle Toms” denied him representative honours during his playing days.
It came after Mundine was forced to apologise to Geale after drawing widespread condemnation for a tirade that included questioning his opponent’s Aboriginal heritage because he had “a white wife and white kids”.
But Widders said behind the scenes, Mundine was a very different person.
“I know Choc personally and I have never seen a nicer guy especially around his own people, community and family,” he said.
“I don’t really like commenting on the stuff he says publicly.”
Widders was excited by the prospect of the new camp which developed from a 2012 chat between indigenous stars Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges.
“This camp is about learning a bit about their culture and going on whatever journey they want after that,” he said.
“It’s about representing indigenous people and making sure when they go back out there, they can make a bit of a difference.
“If we can become aware and be better leaders and more comfortable in our own skin, it makes you a better role model out in the community.
“And role models are very important. We have a lot of issues in our community that we want to help improve.
“There will also be plenty of laughs but hopefully the boys walk away from this feeling a lot more comfortable about who they are and what they represent.”
mushi
Roar Guru
But Widders said behind the scenes, Mundine was a very different person. “I know Choc personally and I have never seen a nicer guy especially around his own people, community and family,” he said. “I don’t really like commenting on the stuff he says publicly.” So Widders message to young indigenous lads is"only be yourself behind closed doors and never in public."
Steve
Guest
But Geale has the 'wrong' skin colour. Mundine is famous, and mixed race but 'close enough', hence he's just a perfect role model. That's all it boils down to. And Widders does have a point: if you make Mundine your figurehead, he'll say terrible things, people will call him out on it, and then you can feel victimised and squeal oppression on his behalf- i.e, "if Mundine were white like Quade Cooper or Bernard Tomic or Lance Armstrong no-one would say anything against him-". Much easier than addressing real problems.
polly
Guest
Looking for an Aboriginal elite athlete for a role model for young indigenous men ? And Widders thinks of Mundine rather than Daniel Geale ! I understand the former rugby league player angle but seriously, is casting derogatory comments about other aboriginals & rugby league legends a skill that Widders is hoping they'll learn from Mundine ? Everyone keeps saying what a nice,polite & respectful person mundine is in private, well maybe it's time to lose the evil alter ego.
polly
Guest
Not having a go at you mate but could you explain how he was 'baited' to make some of the comments he has made recently ?
Godfrey
Guest
Russell Crowe went on twitter claiming the Geale fight was a farce. This is what Crowe wrote: "Here's a simple fact. Your man Geale could not put Anthony Mundine under any real pressure. That's not a win. A BS popularity contest." And: "Geale v Mundine bullshit biased commentary, bullshit biased result. Nobody won that fight." Methinks Crowe is a better actor than boxing judge.
Don
Guest
I suspect that many aboriginal kids would see Anthony as a role model so it seems like a good idea to me. Also at least the "rules" of this blog prevent some of the disgraceful comments about Anthony being published. Some of the comments on Anthony's face book page are vile and despicable and those making them deserve to be "named and shamed" .
Josiah
Guest
Mundine will only teach RACISM and spit BILE. In the words of Danny Green, "He doesn't deserve to have the Anthem played for him anyway." I dare the NRL to do this. Imagine the backlash.
Gus Paella
Guest
Please Dont. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Train Without A Station
Guest
As long as you and everybody else keep talking and writing about the toss, newspapers will continue to print articles on him, pubs will still buy his PPV's and his pockets will be lined. He sells his PPV's by people wanting to see him get knocked out and you all take it hook, line and sinker. Also, in a sport riddled with booze problems and domestic violence, they could do worse than a bloke who doesn't drink, smoke of do drugs. He has crossed the line with his public comments about 3 times in his career, which is still unacceptable, but otherwise he is just creating a stir to sell PPV's.
Andy og
Guest
Mundine chases the media and the only way he can capture it is to spew racist offensive filth. He is the epitome of narcissism. Id prefer have my son twenty stone and addicted to the play station rather than have him believe that Anthony mundine is something to aspire too. the nrl can't be considering this.Sure it's important to play sport and look after your health but surely it is more important to be a decent human being.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Hes ridiculed any indegnous sport star thats more popular than him. His way to the top is by bullying, Great role model. the soone this bloke fades away the better
db swannie
Guest
Why not a Preston Campbell or a Matt Bowen when he retires.Both highly respected,quiet humble men.Tht is my idea of a role model.
Andy
Guest
“Definitely – he is a real mentor to a lot of these players. ‘Choc’ (Mundine) is definitely someone the boys look to for inspiration,” LOL could not pick a worse role model. Definite poor sport.
razza
Guest
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - what a joke. Yeah, and teach the youngsters how to badmouth everyone including the ref's, can you imagine it, i think Mundine has been brainwashed with this muslim bit and he thinks he is bullet proof, maybe his head is.
eelboy
Guest
"I know Choc personally and I have never seen a nicer guy especially around his own people, community and family,” he said." Nice guy around his own people!!!!!!...would have thought a mentor or role model would be nice to all people - to show respect to others, to show humility etc etc.....there are plenty of indigenous stars who are great role models....Anthony Mundine does not deserve the honour........publicly he come across like a hard headed brat with racist overtones.....dont get me started on his conversion to his new found religion that does not tolerate any other gods/spirituallity....just smacks the indigenous spiritual culture in the face........
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
In person he might be a great guy. That counts for nought as a role model. A role models' public persona is what counts. As a public person Mundine is a deadset, full on drop kick. The NRL needs to think long and hard about this.
Chui
Guest
"The way he lives his life" And this is what will inspire people? Delusional self promotion. Inability to accept a referee, umpire, scorers or judges decision. Slagging off members of his own community because he doesn't get what he wants? Commenting on world events with very little understanding oF what occurred. The list is endless. I'm tired of people no wanting to comment on Mundine's public persona. The line about him being a nice guy doesn't wash. The fact is, he is a tool in public. He's not misquoted, he's not misrepresented. He is what he appears to be if he chooses to behave this way. If he's all for it, then you have to ak if Dean Widders is the right person for the position as well.
oikee
Guest
I mentioned yesterday that Mundine gets baited by the media. Get him away from that he is probably a nice guy and community leader. Again, papers dont report the good stuff, they only look for the bad. I would be happy to see Mundine with some role to play. Keep the media mob away from him, he should be fine.
Godfrey
Guest
The NRL will be a laughing stock of Australian sport if they do this. And the time at Souths with the Gladiator has had an effect on Widders and it isn't good.
North Sydney Bear
Guest
A role model in what capacity? Lack of pride in his country? Abuse of others who dsagree with him? His constant whingeing? The giant chip on his shoulder?