Some people hold the view that sport and politics should not mix. In my view, the two cannot be separated.
Human beings participate in sport and human beings, by nature, are inherently political.
By ‘politics’ I don’t mean the shenanigans that happen in Canberra each week, but more the role sport can play in starting or facilitating a conversation about important social issues.
Traditionally, the NRL has not been shy in stepping into challenging conversations and using the game’s powerful voice to start a dialogue about issues. In fact, it is one of my favourite things about the game.
Sport has an incredible power to bring people together, which makes it a powerful tool in making our world a better place.
Examples of the NRL playing in this space include when Macklemore performed ‘Same Love’ at the 2017 grand final during the debate over marriage equality, the discussion about why some parts of the Australian national anthem are troubling for Aboriginal people, and the NRL’s commitment to the ‘no-fault stand-down policy’, being the first Australian sport to introduce a policy of this nature.
Macklemore performs prior to the 2017 NRL grand final. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
We have seen another example of the NRL showing leadership in the last week, being the first sporting code in the country to release a video encouraging Australians to get vaccinated.
The campaign features representatives from many of our clubs including Adam O’Brien from the Newcastle Knights, Kennedy Cherrington from the Parramatta Eels and Nathan Cleary from the Penrith Panthers.
There is a broad spectrum of ages and nationalities involved, all encouraging people across the country to get vaccinated. This representation is important, particularly given the vaccine hesitancy in communities with a high representation of people from Pasifika backgrounds.
Importantly, the campaign is supported by important work being done by Canterbury and South Sydney (which makes sense given these clubs represent areas of Sydney where the impact of the pandemic is being most keenly felt).
The Bulldogs have been assisting NSW Health to deliver messaging to a fan-base which is culturally diverse, while Souths’ links to Indigenous communities has them also playing an important role.
Dean Widders, who will be coaching Parramatta’s NRLW team, is also speaking directly to Indigenous communities, encouraging people to get vaccinated.
I am incredibly proud of the game committing to this message and playing its role in helping our country get back to a state of normalcy. Vaccination is the only way to do this.
But while the NRL may have put up a united front on this issue, behind the scenes the position will not be as unified.
No doubt there will be players who are hesitant and unsure about getting vaccinated, just as members of the public are. This will no doubt play out over the next couple of months as different sports put forward their position on player involvement being dependent on full vaccination.
The NRL does not yet have a position on this but it may be waiting for the Government to make a determination or waiting to see how other sports handle the challenge.
Decisions around vaccination won’t just impact players. It will also impact those of us who want to attend live events in 2022.
Earlier this week, the Sydney Roosters became the first sporting club in Australia to announce plans to ban unvaccinated fans from attending home games next season.
“We want members and fans to feel safe about coming to the football and knowing the people they are sitting next to have been fully vaccinated,” chairman Nick Politis told the Daily Telegraph.
“It might upset a minority of supporters but it’s the only way forward.
“We think all NRL clubs need to take a responsible stand on this like they are doing overseas.”
No doubt this will impact clubs differently. The Roosters represent parts of Sydney with much higher vaccination rates. Will the likes of the Bulldogs, Eels and Rabbitohs be willing to make a similar commitment?
The challenges of the pandemic continue to stay with us and sport clearly has a role to play in bringing us back together again.
But sport has a number of hurdles to overcome to work out what coming together in a safe way looks like for players, officials and spectators.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Thanks John, I’m doing fine as the children and grandchildren are going well. I feel for all the people who have lost children. My older sister who became an Easts fan in 1966 died in 1983 from unknown causes. This was a shock for my parents and Mum had a heart attack soon after. Then in 1988 my older brother died from alcohol. Mum died in 1992 at 68yo. Dad called the 80’s the horrible 80 ‘s but he kicked on until 89. I know people who have lost children and it is horrible for them. The younger they are when they die the worse it is. I miss my terriers but I’m fine and enjoy every day. Our surviving terrier, Walter, whose name we changed from Eddie because it was too much like Abbey is crying for some reason. We’ve always loved our dogs but they don’t live long enough. Enjoy the music and good luck to the Roosters.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
LL, if only I could receive ABC Grandstand "My Favourite Martian" style!
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
TB3, interesting but unfortunate times for the world.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Wish you good health Tim. Whilst we all love our NRL, particularly as it provides us with a distraction from what’s going on in our world, sport ranks secondary in importance to some of the challenges we face in our everyday lives. From your comment, I note that you have wonderful family support & that is of massive importance as it provides the extra component required to face any adversity that we are faced with. I also have sport & music (60’s &70’s) as “companions” at times & they play an invaluable role. Good luck.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Thanks LL, I’m lucky I have my wife taking good care of me while I wait for my three surgeries. I was going to have my colostomy reversed in February but they cancelled and told me I had to have my groinal hernias fixed and then unblock my bowels before they can do the colostomy reversal. I’m waiting to hear from them and check the mail in hope every day. I’m here thanks to our wonderful public health system and enjoy my days watching the NRL and playing computer games on my a machine running Windows ME while listening to my music through my headphones. I hope to be alive when the Dragons win their next grand final. We lost our little JRX terrier, Abbey, in April and we both cried our eyes out. The other dog in my profile picture is Dexter who died prematurely six years ago. Abbey was lonely then so we got another dog from Jack Russell Recue Australia who saved them from being put down.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I expect that whatever the NRL comes up with re vaccinations for players will be secondary to what the Qld, Vic, ACT and NZ governments say (and SA/WA/Tas/NT if any games are planned in them) as well as what airlines require. You'll have a hard time being an NRL player if you're not allowed on planes nor into NZ or certain states. Not sure how willing clubs will be to contact someone who can only play in NSW.
Vaccines for all
Guest
Mate, I've got no time bothering to convince those who refused to be convinced. He's been slagging me off because I called out his mate Steveng's outright lies. The way I see it, he either grows up and gets vaccinated. Or he doesn't and he expires early. Neither decision impacts my life at all. The info is there. He only needs to read it. But considering he questions the sexuality of people who watch AFL, I'm hardly holding my breath Pick your battles, Jimmy. Fight for your friends, leave these to fend for themselves
Ian_
Roar Rookie
They are stupid, and in the main, deliberately ignorant, choosing to be dumb
Vaccines for all
Guest
I'm pretty sure the women flee when you say "trust me, I'm not going to hurt you"
Chris Love
Roar Guru
If you’re a scientist without grants/funding you’re not doing science. It’s not about salaries about the funding for the projects.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
It certainly will, but that will be their choice. As it should be.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Do you really reckon that helps.??
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thats all true Matt. Whatever works use it . I think it's our duty to try to persuade people to have the Vax but its a hard road.. I can tell you exactly what doesn't work . I am certain abuse , finger pointing and not listening has no chance. But what's does work? . I have some thoughts but really I am in the dark like most people. Sometimes all we can do is have a go.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
The way I see it is, a sport/major sporting organisation like the NRL should have the right to determine their own prodicals etc (to the extent of any organisation) and the right/obligation to make that public, but that's as far as they should go. "You need to be vaccinated in order to play/play a role" etc at this level. Yep, that sounds fair to me. I'm fully vaccinated/can't understand why anyone would resist it re Covid, but that's my choice/my opinion, and as right as it seems (to me), and as much as I can't understand the arguements against it etc, that's just one (my) opinion. It seems incredibly logic to me, and everything I've read (and I've got a better than average grounds to support that opinion, but again I could/anyone could argue that's just my opinion, irrespective of how I could back that up, in theory at least). That said, I personally disagree, and quite strongly (with a very logical arguememt, in my view at least) with at least one topic that major sporting organisations (NRL included) promote. Why is/should a sporting organisation, and that goes for any (third party) organisation have the right/obligation to "promote" something outside of their expertise?
Danielle Smith
Editor
:laughing: I’ll have to use that one next time! Absolutely, totally agree. It is a choice and everyone is free to make their own one. And yes, that is why it’s not a 100% target. There are also those who can’t get vaccinated, but the more of us that do the more we can help protect them. I have said exactly what you said many times – “don’t come begging for help from those that you have defied, protested against, or refused to listen to.” Yep, not surprised at all about the Seek ads. That’s it, of course you have a choice, but it could very well determine your career path.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
LL, I love the analogy (sarcasm) but heard a better one today. In response to someone ensuring you they’ve “done some research into it” you can respond “I’ve watched every Grey’s Anatomy episode, I’ll happily take out your appendix”! I respect everyone’s right to freedom of choice, so do most people cause they are only calling for 70-80% rate to open up not 100%. I just hope when it opens up and those who have chosen to “go it alone”, actually stick to that. Please don’t turn to the health system you’ve bagged, don’t turn to the government you’ve torn to shreds and don’t accept medicine designed by the very field in which you’ve questioned incessantly despite having no qualification in that area. You have to imagine international travel, given the Warriors will play in NZ next year, will require vaccination. I heard the CEO of Seek (job ads) say this morning that ads will soon include “only fully vaccinated shall apply”. The NRL if they go down the path followed by Roosters or other businesses, still provides choice……. You can give up attendance or a career if your stance is that strong. And if it means that much to you, then you’re a bloody legend for standing up for what you believe in. I support you to freely make that choice!
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Ever heard the "trust me, I am a doctor?" or "big pharma is interested in your well being"?, nothing to see here, move on. And for the record when you hear the words "the science is settled" run a mile. As with everything a bit of healthy skepticism is good, even when it comes to the referees or the NRL bunker.
Danielle Smith
Editor
Sorry to hear that TB3. Hope you are doing ok. Take care and stay safe.
Danielle Smith
Editor
Once I've had my 2 vaccinations I'm going to be angry if I can't change the tv channels by blinking!
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Mat, you'll never see the same people alarming about the reef and its bleaching posting pictures of the same reefs they sold us bleaching pictures of for a reason. That's because the reefs recover quite quickly after events. They'll also not talk about the Mid-Holocene period which was hotter than today and 2000 years after the current incarnation of the reef began yet the reef survived and thrived through this period.