- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Opinion
Macklemore performing ‘Same Love’ at the NRL Grand Final in 2017 is one of my most treasured rugby league memories. On that night the NRL proudly declared that we are a game for everyone.
The message was clear: everyone is welcome in rugby league.
But on Friday night, when New Zealand Warriors player Marcelo Montoya used a homophobic slur, directed toward Kyle Feldt of the North Queensland Cowboys, it demonstrated that we still have work to do.
So much in the way this incident has been handled has made me sad and uncomfortable.
It took 48 hours for the Warriors to issue a statement with Montoya and CEO Cameron George apologising for the incident.
It’s astonishing to me that it took two days for this apology to be issued and additionally that the NRL was relatively silent on the matter, other than stating that Montoya had been referred straight to the judiciary.
This is not good enough. This should have happened much sooner.
There’s also been a lot of conversation about the appropriate sanction for Montoya. Some have suggested a lengthy stint on the sidelines, others say a fine would suffice.
At the judiciary on Tuesday night, Montoya received four weeks.
But does this punishment really mean anything if the 26-year-old does not learn from his actions?
I understand Montoya will be undertaking an education program and for me, this is the key to ensure he understands the impact of his behaviour.
Part of this may be speaking to members of the LGBTIQA+ community, who can explain to him why using that word is hurtful and derogatory (though it should not necessarily always be the impacted community who has the responsibility of educating others).
In 2015, when former Waratahs player Jacques Potgieter used a homophobic slur, he met with the Sydney Convicts, Australia’s first gay and inclusive rugby union club, to apologise.
Jacques Potgieter. (Photo: Glenn Nicholls)
If the apology is genuine, this is more meaningful than a monetary fine or time on the sidelines.
In the wake of the incident, we have seen fellow players show their support for Montoya, declaring what a ‘good guy’ he is. Josh Curran even messaged a fan on Instagram saying, “it was a heat of a moment thing he has a cousin who it [sic] gay and he supports it why are you making out like his [sic] the bad guy”.
Perhaps, Josh, because in this scenario he is the bad guy. And making excuses for the behaviour shifts responsibility away from Montoya for his actions.
Apart from the slur itself, the radio silence from the club and the response from some of his teammates, I’ve also been disappointed about the reaction of some media outlets.
On NRL360 this week, Steve Roach expressed his “disappointment” that Montoya may receive four weeks.
“We want to be close to the player, hear what the player is saying and then we hear a slur like that and we blow up,” said Roach.
“A lot of times you say things on the field that you don’t actually mean the words that you say.”
Is Roach’s point that anything on the field goes, because a player doesn’t mean it? Additionally, a panel of a couple of white men discussing the issue is a problem in itself. Are these the people impacted by the comment? Where is the nuance in the discussion?
This whole incident also sits uncomfortably because of the club Montoya plays for.
Traditionally, the Warriors feature many players with Pasifika heritage. In recent years we have seen much more attention on our Pasifika players and there have been pushes to show respect by pronouncing their names correctly.
Former player Issac Luke for vocal following the NRL All Stars game and criticised the pronunciation of the word ‘Māori’ during the coverage.
Former Warrior Issac Luke. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
This is such an important move because people should be afforded the respect of others trying to pronounce their names correctly, particularly given the significance of a name in the Pasifika community.
But this respect should be extended to people of all walks of life.
Everyone is welcome in rugby league, no matter their age, sexuality or cultural background.
And our players need to understand that, particularly given the number of women competing in the NRL Women’s competition who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
It’s 2022 and ‘the heat of the moment’ is no longer an excuse. I want to be part of a game where everyone is made to feel welcome and our players understand that the words they say have an impact on the people around them.