Dear Di,
I am a rugby fan. I have never been on a rugby field. I have never felt a tackle, kicked for goal, been engaged in a scrum or cleaned a ruck.
I have never felt what a rugby player feels and yet I love this sport with all my heart.
I happen to be a zealot of all Kiwi rugby, but I know that I have a friend anywhere anyone is playing rugby. That is rugby to me.
Therefore I, like many others around the world who love rugby, am deeply in debt with all you professionals of the rugby world. I know the names of all the coaching staff of the All Blacks, for example, and I might be a little geekier than most in that I also know the name of a few others who are an essential part of the team (courtesy of Richie McCaw’s book) but remain mostly unseen and unnoticed (except when the wrong name of the reserve hooker is displayed on the team sheet and a test match is interrupted to clarify that point).
I might know a few more names than most, but I really don’t know the people behind.
People like you, who is never under the spotlight unless something very wrong happens.
I don’t know you, I don’t know the job you have been doing for the Wallabies and the Reds, I don’t know if it was hard to get there, if it was fair, if you had to fight hard and be 100% good to be recognised 50% only. I really know nothing other than your job is to ensure the players can play.
And it is outraging that your job has been exposed because of reasons related to you being a woman. If the structures in men’s rugby are such that a woman’s greatest weakness is being a woman, then rugby is not the blessed game I thought it was.
But so far, I would like to tell you that I am sorry. Even if we manage to right the things done wrong and improve our sport, the damage done to you is already done. I feel sorry for you and I would like this letter to reach you and know it.
Thanks for your job and all support and best wishes from a rugby fan.
Monday's Expert
Guest
Well written and said sesenta.
RobC
Roar Guru
I have read this article many times, didnt think I could add much to it. Thanks 64. But suddenly other things come to mind: - I read the whatsapp messages. I can see you have sacrificed to keep this man in the team. In the Wallabies. In the Waratahs. In Rugby. - To see this and everything else unravel, despite the best intentions is heartbreaking - Take your time, heal. Find your confidence and yourself again - When you are ready, I believe you will know what to do Im also a bit sad, not many people added this this article I guess they - like 64 and I, dont you know you much - if at all. Except maybe those who believe they do know you well, based on 'reports' Shame. Literally.
mpm
Guest
Yep. If they had a bloke the didn't like they'd definitely be sending sexually suggestive messages around. Patston was crushed and humiliated in such a way that almost anyone would find impossible to come back from and in such a way that isolated her as a woman. The attack on her was clearly sexual.
fredstone
Guest
Ms Patston has certainly copped an unfair ammount of critisism when seemingly she has gone out of her way to be extremely accomodating.
Common Sense
Guest
Agreed.
tinman
Guest
Well said!! I sent the link to my girls and got the response back. 'About bloody time!! Hope Di Patson reads this. Sounds like she could use the support of some of the players too. Isn't she part of the team too?'
pjm
Roar Rookie
The entire premise of your article is incorrect. "And it is outraging that your job has been exposed because of reasons related to you being a woman. If the structures in men’s rugby are such that a woman’s greatest weakness is being a woman, then rugby is not the blessed game I thought it was."
Mac
Guest
Well said. It's a terrible day when Kiwis are making more sense than most Aussies :)
Sybil
Guest
Yes. Agree. Nearly thirty years ago I dealt with workplace sexual harassment. I don't know the circumstances for you - but I can relate in the general sene. I am a dyed-in-the-wool Australian rugby supporter and this entire issue makes me incredibly sad.
Old Bugger
Guest
Hear, hear....
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Agree, on both points ;)
Realist
Guest
Thanks for this article and I echo the apologies to Di. I'm embarrassed by Australian rugby at present and also those so called journalists who lack any integrity.
Rhys Hansen
Roar Rookie
Good on you mate! You may well be a misguided fan of the All Blacks ;-) but your sentiment and support here is unquestionably valiant. In this I support you and Di wholeheartedly.