The boys’ clubs protecting our sporting yobbos

Eric says:

06:51am | 27/10/09

Boys’ clubs are bad, mmmmkay?

But what about all the exclusive girls’ clubs in our society? Women-only scholarships, women’s lobby groups, women’s health centres, women’s gym clubs, and more ...

Shouldn’t all these unenlightened organisations also open up their membership?

James says:

07:32am | 27/10/09

Shouldn’t the headline be “The white boys’ clubs protecting our white sporting yobbos?”

danj says:

07:37am | 27/10/09

What a non story. Women are quite entitled to be on football club and other boards, but the second the powers that be start seeking out women just because their women the quality of the board plus the integrity of the particular woman goes out the window.

As for the Melbourne club and Fernwood gym argument about ‘discrimination’, get over it, who cares? Its a free country, people should be able to do what they want, and lets be honest, feminists don’t want to sip whiskey with crusty old blokes and and blokes don’t really give a stuff if women want to do their own thing.

Get on with your lives whingers.

bec says:

07:39am | 27/10/09

Eric, it has become increasingly obvious that you are unable to comprehend what you are reading and you just leap upon any mention of the words “man” or “woman” regardless of the context in which they are used, eager to start up your angry little tirade.

You’re bitter, Eric, and it’s unattractive. You don’t want to get into your forties and be sitting home on a Saturday night with three cats, a tub of icecream and the whole box set of “Sex and the City” to keep you warm, do you? You’ll never meet someone nice if you keep being so strident and militant.

Dan says:

07:48am | 27/10/09

Uh, Eric, this has nothing to do with men’s or women’s clubs. It’s to do with the NRL and AFL whch don’t have enough female board members (although that dig at the Melbourne Club wasn’t needed was pretty low.) Not every article is an attack upon men. Seriously.

Personally, I look forward to the day that the AFL has a female CEO. There are only two jobs which IMO should only ever be filled by men; players and coaches. Most other jobs, such as and especially CEO, can certainly be filled by women, and I think it’s about time that a club looked outside the box and hired a woman in a senior execuitive role.

jack strobe says:

07:51am | 27/10/09

Eric,

You all right mate? Whenever gender is mentioned you start woman bashing.

http://www.menslineaus.org.au/

paul says:

08:01am | 27/10/09

Well wait for the next generation of imaginative dickhead$2.0 to come through. Given the lack of TV sitcoms, I’m amused by the medias addiction and fueling of the bogans-behaving-badly trainwreck. Without these guys the news would be Rudd, War, Rudd, Jennifer Anistons shopping revelation. Thankyou bogans. It’s like Kath and Kim in footie shorts after two cartons of beer, with lots of vomit & man-love.

jo says:

08:01am | 27/10/09

Your statistics about NRL & AFL could probably be applied to any industry.  The behaviour that goes with no female representation at senior level management could also be applied across a number of industries.  It is just that they have more sophisticated methods for hiding the behaviour and discrimination.

Steve S says:

08:29am | 27/10/09

I do agree that there should be far more women in senior positions at both NRL and AFL clubs and you could probably throw cricket into the equation as well.  Working for an organisation that is headed by the 8th(I think it was) most influential woman in the world (no doubt largely due to the GFC and the OZ banks remaining viable), it is immediately apparent to me as to how women are just as capable, if not more so, than many men. Gail Kelly is certainly an inspirational speaker and can light up a room. The longer Kevin Rudd remains PM, the more I’m convinced that Julia Gillard could do a better job.  When it comes to boorishness though, I think it’s apparent that women are becoming as proficient as men.  A week today will see any number of women hopelessly inebriated, in various states of undress, not only at Flemington racecourse but virtually throughout Australia.  This will certainly be a common scene as we get to the end of year parties.  Thankfully, it’s not restricted to OZ as apparent in the following article from the Sun:  http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2699143/Drunken-girls-go-wild-across-the-UK.html

A female in charge of the Wests Tigers in the future….......I’ll drink tae that!

SM says:

08:52am | 27/10/09

So, having some sort of female representation at board level will lead to better off -field behaviour from footballers like Brendan Fevola?

You must be joking

Tim says:

09:55am | 27/10/09

Yes,
these yobbos should be forced to be in the company of females at all times to restrain their more animal instincts. I’m sure this will stop any future off field incidents.
And each team should be forced to sign up 40% female players to better represent their support base.
This will result in much more cohesive and family friendly football teams.

A.E. says:

10:14am | 27/10/09

Here, here, Bec, Dan, Jack, re. Eric’s comments. Eric you seem to miss the point completely, often. Your regular rants against women are B O R I N G !

Kel says:

10:24am | 27/10/09

Thank you, Bec, Jack and others for already addressing Eric already so I can just go back to ignoring him!
Meanwhile, fantastic story David. As a passionate (female) rugby league fan, I’d love to see women given a fair go in the administration of clubs.
For every ratbag, there are good guys out there in league & afl.
But having more women involved in administration rather than cheerleading for example, would help with the general attitude towards women by the young guys coming through the ranks.
Also, we need footy players themselves to take a stand and condemn appaling behaviour towards women when and if it occurs. Sometimes, it feels like all the players go quiet….
Brave Preston Campbell for example, was the only one I recall offering his thoughts on the matt johns saga, and empathising with how that rather disturbed woman must have felt & be dealing with it now.

Bob H says:

11:05am | 27/10/09

Thank goodness for the appalling behaviour of our sports people (no sexism there) makes me feel superior to their money and fame. 
To those that think women can solve the world’s problems purely because they are not men, I say Margaret Thatcher.

Tim says:

11:05am | 27/10/09

@Kel
Re: The johns saga,
Yeah it must be tough to have to deal with your own choices. I’d suggest most players didn’t offer their thoughts because they were afraid they’d cop the same sort of media treatment as Johns got.

Mish says:

11:06am | 27/10/09

If there are women interested and suitability qualified to participate on those boards that is great.
But I don’t see how they should be responsible to modulating the bad behaviour of the louts, like you said the young men are in a state of arrested development. It is not the women’s role to be their mothers.
They have to start to take responsibility for themselves. Maybe the football codes should start a purge of old idiots and promote some decent role models of actual healthy responsible men.  New footballers are just learning a 2 faced system – pretend to the media you are sorry - have a laugh and slap each other on the back about it behind the scenes.

stephen says:

11:45am | 27/10/09

Gladiators will be boys, yer know. (Actually, I’m surprized they’re not worse.)

Steven says:

11:47am | 27/10/09

Interesting comment that men reserve their yobbo behaviour for male-only company. That overlooks the fact that Fevola’s most recent uncouth behaviour was at the Brownlow - where many females were in attendance -and his misdeeds affected numerous women including (allegedly) a female Herald Sun journalist.
But please spare us the argument that some sporting men behave like ratbags and then tie it into a push for greater representation in elite sporting administration for females. I thought better of The Punch than it being a lobby tool for the feminist affirmative action cause.

Carl Palmer says:

11:49am | 27/10/09

The board of an organisation – sporting or otherwise are responsible to determine the qualities and attributes that it requires for that organisation. If there are a number of applicants, then the candidate that meets or exceeds all requirements gets the gig – male OR female. Therefore I do not accept the view that having women on a board – just for the sake of it, will address for example the Brendan Fervola incident. However if I was presented with male and female candidates and both met and exceeded the criteria and my board was heavily represented by men, then I would give the position to the female candidate. If the board was heavily represented by females then the male would get the nod. Balance is a good thing.

Gail Kelly runs Westpac because she possesses all of the qualities and attributes required for the position she holds at Westpac. If Gail Kelly was on the Carlton board would she rectify their “problem”? Maybe - maybe not. The Carlton board needs to answer that question.

Having the right people in the upper echelons of an organisation who create the culture of the organisation is where it all begins. If there are ongoing problems in a club, then you start with the top. Assuming that Marina Go followed due process, the fact that she never received a resply tells me that something is amiss, this together with a string of other incidents reinforces that belief. On that note - why didn’t Marina Go pursue her desire to become a board member? Did she have the required qualities? I would have thought that she would have persisted by lobbying members for their votes – that is if she was serious.

As an AFL / Swans supporter, I know that the Swans have a “no dick head” policy and together with the players’ leadership group enforce it. The Nick Davis and Barry Hall incidents are examples of how their behaviour was unacceptable. The player & organisation could not reach an agreement and the rest is history. The Swans are not alone however with many other clubs AFL & NRL taking a zero tolerance position. There should be more of it and hopefully the penny will eventually drop – even for I hope Fev.

Helen says:

11:59am | 27/10/09

LOL, have started playing the game “Spot the Eric comment no. 1 in every thread mentioning gender in any way”. He never disappoints.

Kel says:

12:19pm | 27/10/09

@ Tim
The whole Johns thing has been argued to death, and maybe I should have used another example. Like proven instances of actual assault of women etc, If the ‘majority’ of players don’t see anything wrong with that, well, we have a real problem. But I don’t think that’s the case.

For the record, what about the players choice that night (johns) You could apply your argument to them as much as her?? I’m not saying her choice was right by any means, but she went back with one player, not knowing eleven others (some married, with kids) would make a choice to enter the room and be part of a ‘pack’ mentality. They could have chosen to leave her alone. She was 19, and by all accounts - police included - rather naive & troubled. One 19 yr old girl faced with 11 grown men (some of which crawled through the window to get in the room) doesn’t add up to be morally right to me, and I really apprecaite someone like Preston being brave enough to at least acknowledge that.
More leaders, less followers please.

darien says:

12:38pm | 27/10/09

women’s representation is about generational change as well as systems such as quotas. its about recognition of skills and abilities - and it starts at the underage level in sport. the more women involved with the organisation of underage sport (especially australian football, league, soccer and union) the more likely we are to see a generation of able administrators with experience in that particular sport as female participation and authority becomes more normal and wide.
women are under represented in sports admin positions within the high profile sports which traditionally have been masculine; this is changing slightly and i believe will continue to change as the last generation of blokes makes way for those brought up within mixed systems,

Tim says:

01:25pm | 27/10/09

@Kel,
yes another example would have made your point far better.
You show your bias when you describe her as a 19yr old girl and them as 11 grown men? Surely by 19 you are a grown woman?
As for the player’s treatment of women, i would suggest that the way a large portion of women act around these players has a large impact on the player’s actions. Why would the players show more respect to women who don’t respect themselves?
More positive female interaction with the players would probably be a good thing.

Adam says:

02:02pm | 27/10/09

This is definitely an issue and I have no opposition to greater female representation in the administration and boards of our sports. But I’m not sure this will actually fix anything. A better gender mix may change the boorish behaviour of board members but will it change the win at all cost attitude that sees top players get away with anything and lesser lights sacked so they can show the are “doing something”? This is an issue for most professional sports where the players have too much time and too much money and the spoils of victory are huge. I suspect more women will help but there needs to be a lot more thought put into this.

Eric says:

02:20pm | 27/10/09

My comment was relevant to the article. It was a specific response to the sentence beginning with “But at NRL club level almost every board is about as inclusive and enlightened as The Melbourne Club”.

It’s telling that none of my opponents actually addressed the point I made. Presumably this is because they have no rebuttal.

E says:

02:31pm | 27/10/09

“These guys remained in a state of arrested development into adult life because they were surrounded by compliant, unthinking males who reinforced and enabled their shabby conduct.

It’s here where the codes and the clubs have been complicit in maintaining an often low-rent atmosphere.”

This is the heart of the matter, the cover up culture. Females on the board arent going to change it, theyll either be expected to cover up too, or will be kept out of the loop, same as in parliament.

Carl Palmer says:

02:45pm | 27/10/09

@ Eric says:02:20pm | 27/10/09

Eric, re your comments “what about all the exclusive girls’ clubs in our society? Women-only scholarships, women’s lobby groups, women’s health centres, women’s gym clubs, and more ...”

I’m happy for the gals to keep it as a girlie club. If they start behaving like Fevola, then I’ll be the first to take a seat and have a laugh.

Kate says:

03:27pm | 27/10/09

If women are applying for board positions, being fully qualified and as good as, if not better than, their male counterparts, and getting knocked back because they’re female - then that is a problem.
If they’re applying for jobs and not getting them because they legitimately are not good enough, then there is no point forcing any business - whether it be a bank or a footy team - to appoint women for the sake of it. I am a woman and would prefer to miss out on a job because I wasn’t the best candidate rather than being appointed above a better qualified person.

Women telling men how to behave won’t work. Men who are respected within their footy club need to speak up when behaviour like this comes to light and take a stand that it is not acceptable and not part of being ‘one of the boys’. Well liked AFL captains like Jonathan Brown, Brent Harvey and Brad Johnson are some examples that come to mind of potential leaders who could speak out against poor treatment of women.

Luke says:

05:47pm | 27/10/09

Why is it that sport is the one always targeted as blokes acting like idiots? (granted they do at times).  I am sure if you look in the music industry you find the same culture.  Apparently people in music aren’t role models that kids look up to so its ok, in fact celebrated, to act like an idiot. I could name a list as long as my arm about musicians that act like idiots (Oasis), trash rooms (any band), take drugs (beach boys, jimmy barnes) and some have even been pedophiles (gary glitter), but no one suggests we stop listening to music.  And guess what, there are musicians out there who are decent people, just the same as in the NRL and AFL.  Get over this sport bashing or there won’t be any sport left to bash.

Kelly says:

07:50pm | 27/10/09

I think the point here mainly related to the establishment and entrenchment of a pack mentality culture in our sporting clubs from grass roots level right through to the the upper ranks. Having grown up in the country in the proving ground of sporting clubs I was witness to and victim of this culture from a very young age. Boys yelling out rude and suggestive comments to me and my friends all to score a cheap point and evoke a laugh from their treasured mates. It starts with this kind of thing, over the years it becomes accepted behaviour to disrespect and treat women as second class citizens. Add and little alcohol and high spirits and years down the track the boys have moved to another level of ascerting their place/power over women in the community. If we want to improve the treatment of our daughters and the futures of our sons we have got to start with young boys at grass roots club level. These clubs need to take responsibility for the messages, official and latent they are sending the boys in their care.

jack says:

08:51pm | 27/10/09

Its the schoolboy mentality that Australian rules footballers cant let go of .
Singing songs after a game shows this quite clearly .
What other code does this to ingratiate the group mentality of trying to deal with win or loss .
These kids do not have maturity to deal with their own emotions by themselves so do it as a group and then dont know where the boundaries finish .
This is more to do with the ridiculous sports Psychology engendered by universities as a means to win at all costs and to try to deal with euphoria or dissapointment .
What the hell do their mothers and fathers think in bringing up these retards .
If the cap fits wear it .

Carl Palmer says:

08:53pm | 27/10/09

@Kate says:03:27pm | 27/10/09

Well said and I wish you well on your journey. Thank you for your balanced and refreshing view. You will do good!
Godspeed to you!

Tim says:

11:27pm | 27/10/09

David who are you (or anybody else) to stand on your high-horse and label any club who doesn’t have a woman on their board as being ‘shameful’? Isn’t it the clubs decision who they employ? I need to stress that I would certainly be supportive of clubs hiring more women on boards purely on merit alone but i’m not going to argue that clubs need more women just because they’re women and to change this stereotypical boy’s club image (absolutely not condoning the actions of people like Fev or Matt Johns but they are a very small minority within clubs). Afterall, they are professional mens footy clubs, and therefore will always be a boys club! Channel 10 obviously held this overly politically correct view when they employed Kelli Underwood on their commentary team just so that they could have a token woman and how did that work out in the end? Based on the response from the football viewing public (and not the feminists who wouldn’t have the slightest concept about football) i’d say not all that well. And how exactly is the hiring of more women on boards going to change player behaviour? It’s a stupid argument. I am certainly a strong believer that some players need to change their attitudes toward women, and I couldn’t agree with you more Kate. The only thing that can help these men change their attitudes are respected peers within the leadership group setting an example, and NOT the hiring of more women within the club just to have a greater female presence. And don’t even get me started on the politically correct, irrational, radical minority who are arguing that the AFL is too much of a boy’s club and therefore needs to start recruiting women to play in the AFL. But I guess in light of the fact that 40% of AFL football supporters are female that must be the logical thing to do right David?? Give me a break.

Bella says:

12:31am | 28/10/09

Violence and sexual attacks against women are deplorable crimes and completely unrelated to weeing on a lemon tree.

But for the rest of it… Lets all raise our standards of what we find acceptable and stop loving these complete losers.

I was educated in a regional town where NRL was the dominant code and sport. (Women did keep fit and play sport but it was without fanfare or fuss, no one ever spoke about it, attended it socially in groups on weekends or celebrated their successes. Women did size each other up too, but it over minds, not men).

Whilst often polite and sincere on their own, I have many memories of finding a small section of these young male NRL players aggressive, loud, show-offs, frightened of standing out from thier ‘mates’, and using their association with women to score cheap points and the ‘respect’ of their team. I must add they rountinely bullied many non-football young men too - shy men, smart men, gay men, nice men etc.

But… I always wondered why so many women ‘adored’ this small crowd of boorish aggressives, and sort their attention in the playground? I always thought this was sad. Even at the time I felt these NRL players needed so much bloody attention, and still do… its my early interaction or lack their of in high-school that makes me not watch the sport now.

Oh, and the horrific crimes against a persons freedom of choice and passage it tries to hide as part of its boys ‘going too far’ being boys thing.

Benno says:

01:17am | 28/10/09

This is probably the best website in the country. People write courageous things with insight. Unlike poor Eric, who should visit bitterbloke.com or theywon’tletmeintofernwood.net.au. Never got invited into the neighbouring private girls’ school, did you?
Of course women on boards won’t fix everything. Some of them think those girls in the “casting couch” websites are empowered. But it’s the infantile group mentality that keeps abusers doing it, and the silence that surrounds it all, and blokes do it habitually.
Once I met Jeff the Hit Man Harding at the Livingstone Hotel, where Petersham becomes Marrickville. There was a little guy with him who laughed at all Jeff’s punchdrunk non-jokes and constantly reminded us who he was. In groups, they all do that. Harding was OK but lots of these guys are not, but because of the need to win games they’re exonerated and chairlifted - as long as they’re on our side. Hell, I still think Barry Hall didn’t really mean it.
Let’s talk about the St Kilda footy players and what they did, let’s talk about Elliott’s allegations. Lots of us blokes have had enough too.

dylan says:

07:32am | 28/10/09

Putting women on these boards is like using a band aid after open heart surgery. The culture of these clubs which has developed over many years into one of disrespect for women, society, members and fans is what needs to be addressed. Having a token female will not solve the problem and will be an excuse for ‘but we are doing something’. Until the real men in the clubs stand up and say enough, and the members say enough, and fans say enough, this behaviour will keep on. Just read the headlines in todays paper again accusing young footballers - where will this lead in later life?

tmlc says:

08:02am | 28/10/09

I am a bit of a lad…but I could never imagine pack raping a woman with 7 other mates.

Sure - breaking down bastions of male clubness is a small step - but when does this extend to drunken footy yobos thinking they can violate women?

I would appreciate some analysis from you on this one David.  Keep up the good work

Helen says:

08:44am | 28/10/09

If anyone was still in any doubt whether there’s a problem…

http://www.theage.com.au/national/football-players-charged-over-alleged-pack-rapes-20091027-hj1e.html

I disagree with the idea that having more women on boards will solve the problem, because that is perpetuating the idea of women as being the custodians of morality, yet again. What we need to do is completely rethink our male culture (and associated rape culture) in Australia and change the way we bring up our boys. Those boys’ behaviour didn’t come from nowhere, and I’d be prepared to bet that (as in the case of Dylan Klebold’s mum who was featured recently in the media) the parents are not necessarily to blame. Our boys are swimming in a toxic stew of misogyny and entitlement and objectificaton of women, and it’s time we addressed that rather than focussing on what women should be doing, or putting women on boards to somehow police the men.

Vidmar says:

10:06am | 28/10/09

You may be interested to hear that there was a (credited) piece of your article appears on a Manly Sea Eagles supporter’s site and I was interested to follow the link to read the full article.

May I correct you on a few points and add some facts?  (Not really my job as you are the journalist but since when did fact spoil a good beat up?)

The Sea Eagles have 2 female board members currently being Melinda Gainsford Taylor (Google her if you’re not sure of her achievements) and lawyer Kerry Chrysiliou - I believe I’m right in saying they are the only NRL club to have 2 ladies on the board (did you not know that or would mentioning this in your story spoiled the message?)

It was interesting that there was no mention of the Eagles Angels or their involvement in the Sea Eagles and the wider community?
( http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/eagles-angels.asp )

Sarah Murdoch (internationally known supermodel/actress) and Wendy Harmer have the role of being the spokeswomen for the Angels.  As for the rest….between them they have 15 Olympic and Commonwealth games medals and hundreds (more than 300) world titles and records! 

The Eagles Angels are:  Nici Andronicus (triathlete), Layne Beachley (surfing), Brooke Hanson (swimming), Shelley Oates-Wilding (kayaking), Kerri Pottharst (beach volleyball), Louise Sauvage (wheel chair track racing), Zali Steggall (alpine skiing), Melinda Gainsford-Taylor (running), Shelley Taylor-Smith (marathon swimming), Debbie Watson (water Polo) and Annie Sargeant (Netball), Naomi Flood (Ironwoman), Melissa Femia (radio broadcaster) and Tracey Spicer (journalist)

The Eagles Angels have had tremendous success in fund raising for the club and local charities and organise great fun events anyone can attend…A key focus is to foster a greater connection between the club and women, families and the community of the northern beaches.

Not sure if that means the Manly club should be included in your statement that clubs are “complicit in maintaining an often low-rent atmosphere.”

Re Marina Go - You omitted to mention that all board positions on the Sea Eagles Limited board are appointees of the private owners - I checked with a board member by phone when I read your article and they had not heard of the lady or any application from her - now this info was given to me by a person who sits on the boards of the Leagues Club, The Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club and the Sea Eagles Limited and so (you would have thought) would have heard of any application or interest so not too sure how or who Ms Go applied or who she tried to contact?

By all means bash Manly (No one likes us….We don’t care!) but please don’t single them out for special (derogatory) mention without being aware of the full story and recognition of the facts?

Vidmar, North Curl Curl

James says:

10:57am | 28/10/09

Is this where Ms Go’s statement comes from: “http://marinago.blogspot.com/2009/05/nrl-board-needs-greater-diversity.html”.  It should be noted that Ms Go said she applied for the Sea Eagles board “a couple of years ago”, and she never states that she “didn’t even get a call back”, she simply states she “wasn’t offered an interview”.

itsme says:

12:22pm | 28/10/09

for a start why would a woman want to work or be a part of a club that attracts morons that seem to think gang rape is ok.

players of sport are notorious for being morons why does this country seem to to hold them in high regard ..they kick a ball about and behave like 15 year olds, nothing special there.
stop giving them media coverage stop giving them vast amounts of cash and stop giving them “celebrity” status…they really do not deserve it

Tim says:

12:59pm | 28/10/09

Haha Vidmar that completely kills David’ credibility! And David you (along with a few others) have also conveniently turned a blind eye to the fact that all AFL clubs have numerous women working for them as physio’s, dieticians, in administration, etc (most of which would have far more interaction with the players than any of the board members). I still can’t see the logic behind your argument.

Kelly Jones says:

03:18pm | 28/10/09

I find it highly amusing that whilst we are discussing boys clubs, I observe the “punching on today” banner at the bottom of this web page. Notice how the only women represented is that of Nedahl in a coquettish pose as opposed to the other more business oriented or solemn faced men.

In my view this is more evidence of womens current position in Australian society in general, the latent messages we send of women in token or frivolous positions to compliment to more serious and important business of men.
If we get serious about raising the status of women in Australia society, all of us, including the sporting community, it will surely have an impact on the treatment of women and violence against women.

Vidmar says:

03:23pm | 28/10/09

Hi David, many thanks for the reply.
Yes, you are correct in mentioning that there were some well documented issues in respect of the Manly club centred around the season launch earlier in the year (amongst several others in codes such as union, AFL and football…not to mention the arts, political scandals, business high jinks and TV/Radio stars “mucking up” or behaving inappropriately?) and that is not in dispute.
My understanding of your piece however was that it appears to be lamenting that things aren’t changing and the clubs are ambivalent about their obligations in respect of and for females?
I think your point is that if there were more females involved in sport and especially administration then the boys would behave but that it is not happening - all very commendable on the face of it?
My point in commenting was to address this and to highlight that this is not the case in all clubs and that NRL clubs such as Manly (and to their credit teams notably like Souths, The Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers to name a few ) are making headway in becoming good “corporate” citizens.
Your mention of Ms Go inferred that she was “blanked’ by Manly because of her gender earlier in the year - My response in respect of Melinda and Kerrie disputed this (your quote regarding the circumstances of her not being considered for a role at the club appears “shakey” at best?)
The list of Eagles Angels shows there are many well established and credible females that are willing to put their name to a club and have a close involvement with it and by default the players and its administrators - this in itself would suggest that these ladies are comfortable in how they are treated and are happy with the culture of the club?
I’m glad your reply recognised this and that you have now put a more positive slant on things…positive discrimination is a very dangerous things and as you say “sticking one sheila on the board to pretty things up a bit” is not the answer but neither is perpetuating the same old same old that things will never change or that there are no positive moves being made as this discredits those that are trying to make a difference and doing a good job.
Rather than fill column inches by pushing the same barrow as many others who like to dig the dirt and make out all is not well in the world of sport may I make the following suggestion?
How about doing a piece that highlights the good work done in the community by players and officials of the various clubs in the various codes?
How good would that be to see the benefit and impact that some of the very genorous time and money given by players back to the fans and the wider community especially those who are less fortunate has?
More often than not these aspects are done voluntarily with little or no fanfare and at considerable cost in terms of time and money by the demographic that you and others only see fit to be critical of?
Yes…be critical of things bad but always nice to see balanced reporting rather than “chicken little” pieces all the time?
How about recognition of the good that the vast majority of sports “stars’ are responsible for?
Your thoughts?
Vidmar

Bev says:

01:02am | 02/11/09

Having read the comments their are good and bad comments on both sides
but my feeling is nobody nhas really addressed the problem.  It is no mistake that societies in the past had “mens business” and “womens business”  in which pubesent children were schooled in what was expected
of them as adults.  Before the feminists jump on this I will say growing up in Australia I had a father and uncles who tought me to respect women and to look to their welfare and never under any circumstance hit women. Unfortunately this education is denied many boys now. Many live in Mother only households, they attend schools where there a few or no male teachers. My partners 11 year old son complains that despite there are girls and boy teams girls can join the boys but the reverse does not apply. At 11 he is resentful he knows the system is biased.  As he grows older (if he continues) he will see certain women throwing themselves at club members, he will see women preaching at him.  I dont condone but can understand why some men have no respect. Women have no idea how to mentor youths or men and the few mens groups who attempt to do so are sidelined by feminists who will not admit that what they are preaching is terribly wrong. Eric is wrong in his approach it is counter productive That said nobody expects injustice to women to go without rectification. Men how ever are told “get on with your life” forget what happened. Men like Eric are multiplying, not only in this country but in all of western society we have to stop and wonder why.