This week’s award for ‘television network that has consistently missed the mark’ goes to Channel Seven.
Their week began with a Sunday Night exposé into NRL culture.
Many would have tuned in interested in details about the most recent off-field scandals, however Sunday Night instead focused on claims made against former player Bodene Thompson.
While not trying to trivialise any of these claims, this issue is a couple of years old. This episode came across as a lame attempt to take a cheap shot at the NRL while also including interviews with women who have been involved with players from other codes.
Following the devastating events in Christchurch last week, Seven decided to continue to give Pauline Hanson airtime on Sunrise – a woman who has shared anti-Islamic rhetoric and at one point wanted to introduce a motion in Parliament called ‘It’s okay to be white’.
Then, Seven (via their 7AFL accounts) shared an image on Twitter and Facebook of Tayla Harris, who plays for Carlton in the AFLW.
In the stunning photograph, Harris is airborne after she has kicked the ball, displaying her tremendous athleticism.
It immediately calls to mind how skilled she is, but also about how strong and how confident. The pic encapsulates what is worth celebrating about sport.
Unfortunately, a barrage of filthy, derogatory and sexist comments ensued, leading Seven to remove the photo and comments.
Seven made the wrong decision. Another solution would have been to delete or hide the comments.
By removing the photo, the power is given back to the trolls.
By removing that photo, we are back in a world where women in sport are invisible.
This was an opportunity for Seven to make a clear statement that derogatory and sexist comments have no place in sport, particularly given that the network professes to be such strong supporters of women in sport through their coverage of the AFLW and the WBBL. But they did not have the courage to do that.
I’m always told that people that make these sorts of comments are the minority. But is that really the case? The derogatory comments just kept coming and several of them had hundreds of likes. It takes a deeply insecure, pathetic human being to make such comments. It also seeks to drive home a message that women are not welcome in sport and are simply objects for men to make comments about.
How can we expect women and girls to feel confident about their place in the world when this is how a section of the population respond to stunning images demonstrating sporting prowess?
What’s more, the AFLW seems to cop more criticism than any other female sporting competition. I follow a lot of women’s sport and haven’t seen such an outpouring of negativity in relation to the W-League, WNBL, WBBL or NRLW.
Enough of the negativity though. Because there was a fightback.
Tayla tweeted the photo herself, saying, “Here’s a pic of me at work… think about this before your derogatory comments, animals.”
The image was shared thousands of times and my social media feed lit up with support for the image and disappointment with Seven’s position. In the AFL and AFLW world, there was widespread support from clubs, players, journalists and fans.
It was sensational.
By taking down the photo, Seven created a situation where it was given more visibility.
It’s worth noting as well that while Seven made the wrong decision initially, they did tweet an apology, acknowledging that deleting the photo “sent the wrong message” and signalling their intention to continue to highlight the athleticism present in women’s sport.
I commend Seven on this apology and acknowledgement of their mistake, and trust that they have learnt something throughout this process.
This is about more than sport. It’s about bringing up young women in a world where they need to be careful about what they put up on social media. Many in the public eye have become accustomed to it, but that doesn’t make it okay and it certainly doesn’t mean that everyone has the skills to handle it.
‘Get off social media’ is not a response.
While initially sad, this photo has turned into a real celebration of women in sport. I want to take this moment to acknowledge female athletes, many of whom have become accustomed to this type of trolling, which is completely unfair, inappropriate and uncalled for. This episode should demonstrate to all of you that we have your backs, appreciate you and stand with you.
And when that image of Tayla Harris wins ‘Sporting image of the year’ at a prestigious awards night towards the end of the year, I hope Tayla posts it again as a big ‘up yours’ to her haters.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
I’d be keen to hear how Ben explains the gender imbalance in the federal LNP government, given its transcendental level of incompetence.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
We can but try QED. Ben frequently comments on gender issues - we should give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he’s keen to test his own ideas.
QED
Roar Rookie
Oxford dictionary definition of Misogny Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women. hmmm sounds a lot like, umm i don't know maybe sexism perhaps
QED
Roar Rookie
oxford dictionary definition of sexism Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Prejudice: an unreasonable dislike of or preference for a person, group, custom, etc., especially when it is based on their race, religion, sex, etc. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. That's so much better. Quite benign really. hardly worth mentioning at all.
QED
Roar Rookie
It always surprises me that some peoples reactions seem to suggest that you would think its worse to be 'called sexist or a racist than it is to ACTUALLY be the target of sexism or racism. When you have been repeatedly pulled over for 'random' police checks, or told to go back to you own country while watching the cricket sitting with your children who were born in this country or have them come home distressed after been bullied. Or when your wife tells you that she and most of her female friends have at one time or another in a pub or at work been in appropriately touched. But yeah its really hard been a poor put upon white guy with all that guilt and reverse racism and sexism. Truly I feel for you , the burden must be intolerable.
QED
Roar Rookie
rookie mistake Redondo. You are trying to use facts and a reasoned argument on a message board.
QED
Roar Rookie
Redondo. Let me take this one. I will repeat it slowly so that Ben understands that you actually did answer his question. ” give google a workout and discover the effect of dominant cultural norms and unconcious bias.” But you must forgive Ben because his ‘unconciuos bias” means he did not hear what you said. And his frame of reference is defined by the dominant cultural norms that are still present today. So again he can’t hear you. No matter how slowly or succinctly you put it.
QED
Roar Rookie
Using your logic The fact that we have only had one female prime minister since federation is because the white male selected by the caucus of their party by almost exclusively other white males and voted for by the public when the public has a choice that has only ever been white males except once. They have all been white males - no brown, eurasian or even non-christians, is because EVERY time the white male was the best person for the job ?. To use your words "do you seriously believe that ?"
Strayan
Roar Rookie
Ban the internet
Raimond
Roar Guru
50-metre kicks aren’t a regular feature of footy, below the professional level. I watched a bit of NEAFL & NTFL on the indigenous channel during the off-season, and there weren’t many 50+ kicks.
Raimond
Roar Guru
I’m a non-player, and had little upper-body strength (I was also wearing sneakers). So I’m talking about ‘random bloke in the stands’ to be honest.
Shane
Guest
I can't count the number of times an idiot mate in the boys club has got it over competent competitors, both male and female. So yes, they do not always hire the best person for the job or the company. In fact it is extremely naive to think that there is anything close to meritocracy in recruitment processes, most people I have been involved with in the recruitment process prefer to hire someone they know and trust over someone with superior competency. The problem is it is extremely difficult to get into the boys club if you are a woman, so even that avenue is restricted for them.
Maximus Insight
Guest
Well the point is that the Roar cannot claim to be a progressive Australian sporting website if they pay nobody to cover easily Australia's most watched women's football competition
Ben
Roar Guru
@Redondo You obviously missed my question... So here it is again. "So, there are businesses out there that want to make maximum profit; and countries where people want the best person for the job, to run their country; that are deliberately choosing people that aren’t the best people for these jobs… Do you seriously believe that?" Are you able to answer this question?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
I played junior/age footy in the Riverina in the 70s and 80s and most school leavers couldn't kick 50m regularly. The preferred distance kick was still the mighty torp. Maybe coaching has improved since then. Also, fatigue, shanks and cross winds are a big part of all levels of footy. It's not unusual for AFL players to not make the distance from 50m, particularly late in the game. Frederick-Traub beat a couple of blokes in Yarra kick thingy on GF day. Think she kicked 47m.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Mary I think this whole incident and the comments in response to your article provide great material for you to do a follow-up article. I wonder if the role of AFL in our sport-obsessed culture has something to do with the ugly comments about the Tayla Harris photo. Maybe the logic would go like this.. - As Australians we like to believe we are notably and innately excellent at sport - This belief is a fantasy, as demonstrated by our mediocrity at non-niche international sports - Our belief in this fantasy is reinforced by the dominance of niche domestic sports like AFL - Niche sports, particularly the AFL, reinforce the fantasy - we can’t be judged internationally - Until recently, the AFL has not even had a women’s competition to compare the men’s against - So, the AFL’s contribution to our fantasy of sporting excellence has been peculiarly masculine - The arrival of the AFLW threatens that fantasy i.e. even women can be good at AFL - The photo of Tayla Harris amplifies that threat - she kicks like a bloke, and as far as a bloke! - With the fantasy threatened, the abuse begins. In a way, even the positive comments about the photo say something about our sporting insularity. People seem surprised that a women could display such strength, balance and technical skill. But that would not surprise anyone who has watched decades of international women’s soccer. In fact, the recent excitement about Sam Kerr shows this. Most are excited that Australia has finally produced a soccer talent who is in the top few in a world game. It’s unlikely any soccer fans are surprised - or threatened - by the fact that Sam Kerr can play football like a bloke.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
If you couldn't kick more than 30m then there were clearly deficiencies with technique. Even playing junior footy in the Riverina west of Albury-Wodonga most kids by 14-15 were kicking well over 30m and easily kicking 50m+ by the time they finished school.
Bartparteeoo
Guest
This charlatan is the antithesis of what she claims to be. She’s admitted here , it’s not about equality, it’s about power , and wrestling power away from another group , she’s a war monger not a peace maker.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Thanks IAP - somebody had to tell Hairy he has a small kick.
Bartparteeoo
Guest
This woman defined hypocrisy, don’t waste your breath.