The charity foundation behind Manly’s clash with the Sydney Roosters has vowed donate proceeds to help the mental wellbeing of LGBTQI communities.
Overlooked among the drama of Manly’s seven withdrawals this week, Thursday’s game will be the first for the Gotcha4Life Cup, a charity focusing on mental fitness.
Manly sponsor Shaw and Partners and Roosters counterpart UniBet have donated $100,000 each to radio presenter Gus Worland’s charity, as well as giving up prominent jersey space.
Jerseys from the match will also be auctioned off, with the value of already sold-out Sea Eagles strips now expected to skyrocket.
Along with that and other contributions from fans at the ground, the total donations from the sponsors and supporters will likely go close to the $300,000 mark.
Under the Gotcha4Life system, donors can nominate the area of mental fitness they wish for proceeds to be directed towards.
An exact breakdown will be determined next week, but both sponsors and Worland spoke on Thursday to agree a significant portion will go towards the LGBTQI community.
“We will be talking to the right people in those communities to get that money spent in the right area,” Worland told AAP.
“We want to make it so we can really help some people that might have been affected in the past few days.
“It might be a real beacon of hope for them moving forward.”
Worland will work closely with Ian Roberts on the matter, while making clear his belief that it is important to acknowledge different beliefs in a week such as this.
He has also been quick to point out that members of the community are three-times more likely to commit suicide, fearing the impact recent days have had on teenagers wishing to come out.
“I am worried about any young child (who could be struggling this week),” Worland said.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“Speaking to a couple of producers on our show who are gay, they say (this negative spotlight) can really stop people being open and honest and talking about their feelings.
“There are so many young kids out there who end up taking their own life because they can’t come up with the words to tell someone how they feel.
“Or how they get affected by the reaction when they tell their families.”
But Worland is determined to turn the matter into a lasting positive, following Roberts’ mantra that good things can come out of the situation.
And beyond more awareness and talk, he is hopeful the charity move will be able to assist young people battling with their own situation.
“We need action,” Worland said.
“There is way too much focus on awareness, not on action. We have the awareness, everyone knows about it.
“Now it’s up to us to actually turn that into action … That can only be a positive.”
Help is available for anyone in need of improving their mental health: Lifeline 13 11 14; beyondblue 1300 22 4636; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25).
TA
Roar Rookie
Does the Manly situation mean that all clubs are now held to ransom, they can never wear a pride jersey without the threat of a boycott. I read that Jioji Ravulo (Head of social work and policy studies, University of Sydney) in the SMH says `Don’t blame Pacific Island cultures for queer fear. Blame colonisation` Seriously they need take some ownership for their outdated views, the blame is not on a bunch of white missionaries.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I would rather see the money given to country junior clubs, you know, the clubs that survive on canteen proceeds, chook raffles and the generosity of small town businesses
Paul GREGERSEN
Guest
Firstly, congratulations to The Roar for a fantastic series of articles on this issue; undoubtedly THE BEST and most thought provoking coverage this week. My understanding is that GW would like to focus a lot of the financial support to the LGBTI community who are struggling with mental health issues. The short speech by UFC star Paddy Pimblett this week was also a rallying cry similar to that of GW, Des, Trent and a number of other respected people. I’m still struggling to understand how religion can be used as a shield on this issue yet the 7 players are comfortable supporting the gambling and alcohol shirt sponsors. I am delighted by the outcry and would love to see Manly adopt the rainbow jersey for next season
Nick
Roar Guru
Are the 7 players refusing to wear the rainbow jersey being sent to a concentration camp?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
It was Labor Party seats that voted no . The seats in the Sea Eagles areas of the Northern Beaches and Lower and Upper North Shore were over 4 people out of 5 in favour. The Sea Eagles are preaching to the converted - who see it as normal. But it’s dangerous to make out as if it’s not normal by community standards, because the young are inexperienced.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The NRL is slightly bigger (just) than the AFLW. Could that be it?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Why wouldn't he want to get money and publicity for his own charity?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
To me it seems that a marketing ploy imploded. They tried to couple a mental health charity with a /gay pride/women in league/indigenous round clusterphuk. Go away nothing to see here. So muchpain created for no reason.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Offensive much
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Actually I can't recall Manly having an indigenous round shirt. I remember looking out for it. Didn't happen. I'd happily be corrected.
mushi
Roar Guru
Though I’ve always thought indigo and violet is a BS double count of purple. I’d understand if that’s why they’re refusing to wear it!
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Look, I'll admit that I'm an older bloke. But I've become confused. Was this rainbow jersey thing all about genuine support for the LGB+++++ community? Or does this article suggest that it was all just about attracting money for a charity in a very questionable and complicated way? If so, it seems to have been a successful strategy. Not only have jerseys been sold out, I've no doubt that Thursday's night game will have a huge viewing audience. And yes, I'll be one of them. But I don't want to see the NRL getting involved in this sort of unsavoury farce again.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
The amount of people voting no means many aren’t on board with the “alphabet caper”, not that this colourful jersey is likely to change their mind.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Analogies not your strong point, are they?
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Who is the leader of straight people? What if you have a brain and can recognise that this isn’t “radical ideology” but people wanting simple recognition? Can you get dressed in the morning unassisted? Pretty certain I already know the answer to the last question.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
*chefs kiss*
U
Roar Rookie
I don’t get why this is such a huge issue considering excuses were made for the person who sat out a pride game earlier this year
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
You know, not all that long ago, Australia ( that is , non-alphabet mob Australia) overwhelmingly stated that they didn't have a problem with people's individual preferences, and of course alphabet folks should be able to get married to each other if they wanted to. That is, the issue has been normalised as far as the Country is concerned. It's a minority thing surely, but it's still normal. My fear is that (probably straight) clowns carrying on like pork chops and making a big deal of it, may in fact make young people think that there IS something abnormal or wrong with themselves. otherwise, why the fuss? A bunch of jerks trying to be legends in their own lunchtimes are probably causing problems while feeding their egos washed down with not mineral water. Just let it go, and leave all these decent people alone. Get off their case. People KNOW the alphabet caper is OK, so just: Leave. It. Alone.
In brief
Guest
They were gutsy warriors for standing up for what they believe in and not being cowed by the mob ..
In brief
Guest
Would you say the same thing about a Jew living in Nazi Germany who refused to wear a Star of David? It’s just a little star after all..