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I started playing rugby as a junior in 1974. I was bare footed in the middle of winter, trying to tackle the likes of John Eales – very unsuccessfully I might add!
I wasn’t very good at playing the game at that age, and never really became any better. I continued a rugby playing career that ended in the late 90s playing for the British Bangkok Club, in forty degree heat and 100 per cent humidity, wearing pink jerseys with elephants on them and trying to keep the mud and sweat out of my eyes.
I have always followed the Wallabies fervently, often travelling hundreds of kilometres to get to a TV screen in the remotest of countries to watch them play. And I have coughed up more than my fair share to attend as many games of the Wallabies as I could. All of it done for the love of the game and the love of the green and gold jersey.
I also happen to be, what I consider, a loving husband and father of two girls. My family regularly see and understand my passion for rugby. They humour me by attending the occasional Wallabies and Waratahs game, and by ensuring there is silence at home as soon as the national anthem is played.
And this leads to my quandary. How am I as a self-respecting father supposed to continue my passionate love of the game of rugby and the Wallabies, when one of its ‘own’ – a female employee – has been so clearly and unashamedly denigrated?
As a role model for my children, what do I say to my girls? Do I tell them “they’re a bunch of sexist pigs, but that’s ok because their Wallabies”?
I read an article by Adair Donaldson in the Sydney Morning Herald, and it made me feel a little more than squeamish – quite sick to the stomach actually.
Sexism and bullying not only has no place in the ARU, it has no place in our society.
As a Wallabies supporter I feel dismayed that senior players, senior management and some media and supporters don’t understand how appalling this whole circumstance is.
The integrity of the game and the jersey deserves better than this and is surely much more important than a single player’s contribution on the field or backroom politics and mud slinging.
So it is time that the ARU stamped out this behaviour, before many like me are lost to the game.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.