Kia ora Koutou,
So — the NZ Rugby Union has bombed again. They not only allowed a culture of bullying and racial slurs to fester and grow, now that they’ve been called out on it, nothing appears to be going to change. The same old jargon, the same old apologies, same old promises and yes — the same old coach.
So the culture of coaching that uses body shaming, shouting and bullying, remains. Oh yes, there is vague talk of ‘making changes’ but talk, where the Rugby Union is concerned, is cheap. It’s the only thing that is cheap as far this union is concerned.
Behind closed doors I imagine the determination of the discussion is targeted at hushing the complainant, dismissing the bad publicity rather than dismissing the coach and his bullying and racism.
It amazes me that women support this treatment of other women by watching the games but the figures show that they do. The figures for the men’s games are even higher. Of course they are.
The game, whether its women or men, is never going to change as long as people keep watching. Money represented by viewers numbers and advertisers (who come on board because of the viewing numbers) will never change until those viewers turn away and only then will the union running the show change the culture. One and one makes two okay?
Leaving aside, for the moment, the knowledge that Rugby is a violent game, can cause long lasting brain damage, bone and internal injuries and that it encourages the myth that disputes can be settled by physical force, it also continues the idea that whoever has the biggest muscle will win. You think I’m exaggerating? Just read the figures.
Given that women have chosen to play this game, women’s teams should be run, coached, selected by women. Pay should be equal. The fact that women bleed every month and get pregnant is not a fault, it is part of the deal when coaching a women’s team. I am at a loss to understand how someone who doesn’t have these experiences, can possibly coach a bunch of people who do. If a male doctor asks me how bad the pain is, its no good me saying, ‘approaching third stage labour’, he simply will not understand. If I say it to a female doctor, she will know the level of pain is high.
These factors, the monthly bleeding and the ability to get pregnant, are two reasons why men should not coach women’s teams, but the main reason is that women are better at handling difficult situations, they know the realities of women’s lives and they understand that shouting and abuse get you nowhere or, if it does make a change, that change is temporary, superficial. The sting, the cutting pain, the shame of the shouted comment is long –lasting for the one on the receiving end. It also undermines any hope of team spirit.
Women know that telling someone they’re fat, lazy, that they’re only in the team because they play the guitar, is not a method that works either at a team, whanau or individual level so how the hell can they support a culture that does?
As for a coach saying to a player — ’You’re only in the team because you play the guitar.’
An immediate enquiry into how many other times that coach has made cruel and shaming comments. Fine them for each and every one then sack them.
Now its well known that I loathe sport. So you have to take that into account. I like walking by rivers and I like walking around cemeteries, Both these encourage a sedate pace which is good for thinking. However when did lack of participation in sport stop anyone from pontificating on it? This is Aotearoa, remember.
So — appoint women coaches for all women and girls teams. Ditto committee members and selection panels. Equal pay rates with men. Equal viewing times.
Lets go for gold.
Renée
