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Opinion

Lest we forget the Anzac Round conundrum - less is more as commercialisation takes over

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Expert
21st April, 2023
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A couple of weeks ago, ahead of their Round 8 clash against the Manly Sea Eagles, the Wests Tigers unveiled their Anzac Round jersey.

My view is that a jersey, particularly to celebrate an occasion or a particular cause, is something that requires input from several parties including the players, senior management and the board. It’s unclear what process was followed at the Tigers, but apparently the jersey was signed off by the NRL too.

Despite all these sign-offs, there was a problem due to the imagery from the jersey’s stock photo not featuring Australian soldiers but American ones.

From a governance perspective, I’m not sure how this happened.

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But this article is not about the Wests Tigers. Not really. Because following the revelations about the Tigers jersey, Canberra’s jersey from last year came under the microscope too and I’m sure if you looked in the past, other clubs might have had similar challenges.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin stands with the Dragons for the anthems

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The conversation is also much broader than just Anzac Round. It’s about the way our major sports are commercialising so many causes and occasions.

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Another fitting example is the ‘Pride Jersey’ released by the Sea Eagles last year.

This was another example of a club not doing the appropriate work and consultation prior to releasing a jersey which said something very specific about their organisation. Whilst the jersey generated plenty of jarring commentary, in a way it was successful because it sold out very quickly.

I firmly believe if the clubs do not have the time and resources to do the work associated with these jerseys, then they should not be released and if they are released, they should link back to the cause or community.

That link could be as simple as mandating that a proportion of jersey sales must go toward a charity or organisation which supports that community. For Anzac Round, Legacy Australia would be a perfect choice.

Just because a commercial opportunity exists to sell another jersey to fans, should we take it?

But onto the Round itself.

I understand that for servicemen, servicewomen, their families and the families of those who have served in the past, that this Round is an important opportunity to recognise their service and their contributions. But it’s not just about the past either. This Round is an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges that this community faces, particularly around mental health.

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But how did we get to a point where the Anzac Day ceremony became a standard part of game day for the best part of the week? Just because it’s Anzac Round, does every team need to celebrate it the same way?

For example, earlier this week the NRL referees welcomed displaced Ukrainian families to join them for a special ceremony and a rugby league clinic. There is an opportunity to recognise the incredible commitment of these people without it feeling like we are simply going through the motions.

Despite the bungle with the initial jersey (which may end up being some sort of weird collectors item), the Tigers have announced that all player jerseys will be auctioned off with profits going to Legacy (although this doesn’t address the profit the club will make from the jerseys themselves).

English forward John Bateman and NRLW player Ruby-Jean Kennard model the Wests Tigers’ original Anzac Round jersey. (Photo: www.weststigers.com.au)

The Last Post is truly beautiful. When I hear it on Anzac Day I often get goosebumps. It is a moment of pause and of reflection. A moment to remember the horror of war and to commemorate the sacrifice made my so many men and women for the rights and privileges we enjoy in this beautiful country.

The key word is commemorate, which is what we do on this day. This is very different from celebration.

This week ‘Anzac Round’ started on Thursday night. By the time the Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons take the field on Tuesday, which is actually Anzac Day, if you watch all the games you will have heard the Last Post six times. Then again later that night when Melbourne host the Warriors.

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Does this impact its significance? Does it cheapen it?

Whilst the pre-match ceremony does give servicemen and servicewomen the chance to be connected to their clubs and be recognised in the lead-up to Anzac Day, I wonder if there is another way to do it.

The old cliché suggests less is more and when it comes the commemoration of Anzac Day, my preference is just that.

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