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Rugby league has a domestic violence problem. The NRL's lip service won't fix it Rugby league has a domestic violence problem. The NRL's lip service won't fix it
(about 1 hour later)
“My stance is unambiguous on domestic violence ... There is no place for it in the game,” NRL CEO David Smith told Fairfax Media at the weekend. He was answering a question about why Roosters player Shaun Kenny-Dowall had not been stood down after he was charged with 10 counts of assault of his former girlfriend Jessica Peris.“My stance is unambiguous on domestic violence ... There is no place for it in the game,” NRL CEO David Smith told Fairfax Media at the weekend. He was answering a question about why Roosters player Shaun Kenny-Dowall had not been stood down after he was charged with 10 counts of assault of his former girlfriend Jessica Peris.
Smith’s quote is in line with the national discourse we’re having around violence against women, an issue that state governments Australia-wide are making a concerted effort at stamping out. It’s in line with Rosie Batty’s appointment as Australian of the Year. It’s in line with what the National Rugby League should be saying. But Smith’s lip service to ending what’s been repeatedly called a “national emergency” won’t end anything – certainly not the career of a promising NRL player.Smith’s quote is in line with the national discourse we’re having around violence against women, an issue that state governments Australia-wide are making a concerted effort at stamping out. It’s in line with Rosie Batty’s appointment as Australian of the Year. It’s in line with what the National Rugby League should be saying. But Smith’s lip service to ending what’s been repeatedly called a “national emergency” won’t end anything – certainly not the career of a promising NRL player.
Related: NRL star Kenny-Dowall set to plead not guilty to domestic violence chargesRelated: NRL star Kenny-Dowall set to plead not guilty to domestic violence charges
Gold Coast Titans player Greg Bird recently copped an eight-week ban for a dangerous throw in a game against New Zealand in May. It’s not his first ban – in 2009, he was found guilty of assaulting his then girlfriend by smashing a glass in her face. The Cronulla Sharks, his club at the time, stood him down but following a brief stint in Europe, he’s back in the NRL. Gold Coast Titans player Greg Bird recently copped an eight-week ban for a dangerous throw in a game against New Zealand in May. It’s not his first ban – in 2009, he was found guilty of assaulting his then girlfriend by smashing a glass in her face (the conviction was overturned on appeal). The Cronulla Sharks, his club at the time, stood him down but following a brief stint in Europe, he’s back in the NRL.
In 2009, South Sydney captain Greg Inglis was charged with assaulting his now-wife Sally Robinson, but escaped conviction in 2010 with a diversion order to attend a men’s behaviour change program and a $3,000 donation to a women’s health service. Earlier this month, Inglis was on the front page of the Courier-Mail with the headline “RESPECT” after Queensland won the State of Origin series.In 2009, South Sydney captain Greg Inglis was charged with assaulting his now-wife Sally Robinson, but escaped conviction in 2010 with a diversion order to attend a men’s behaviour change program and a $3,000 donation to a women’s health service. Earlier this month, Inglis was on the front page of the Courier-Mail with the headline “RESPECT” after Queensland won the State of Origin series.
Fellow Rabbitoh Kirisome Auva’a pleaded guilty to a drunken assault of an ex-girlfriend only last year – but will return in round 23, having had his “indefinite” suspension downgraded.Fellow Rabbitoh Kirisome Auva’a pleaded guilty to a drunken assault of an ex-girlfriend only last year – but will return in round 23, having had his “indefinite” suspension downgraded.
The Sharks’ Ben Barba allegedly struck his partner, Ainslie Currie, so hard that bloodied photographs of her appeared in the Daily Telegraph in 2013. He’s now enjoying a prominent career with Cronulla.The Sharks’ Ben Barba allegedly struck his partner, Ainslie Currie, so hard that bloodied photographs of her appeared in the Daily Telegraph in 2013. He’s now enjoying a prominent career with Cronulla.
Although the Roosters’ Blake Ferguson was convicted of indecently assaulting a woman in a nightclub 2013, he remains one of the code’s favourite sons. Most recently, fellow Rooster Shaun Kenny-Dowall was charged with 10 serious allegations including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, destruction of or damage to property, and stalking/intimidating. Yet the NRL has decided not to stand him down.Although the Roosters’ Blake Ferguson was convicted of indecently assaulting a woman in a nightclub 2013, he remains one of the code’s favourite sons. Most recently, fellow Rooster Shaun Kenny-Dowall was charged with 10 serious allegations including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, destruction of or damage to property, and stalking/intimidating. Yet the NRL has decided not to stand him down.
According to ABS statistics, one in three women will suffer violence at the hand of an intimate partner or ex-partner in their lifetime. The NRL is certainly not unique in having to face up to the scourge of violence against women, but it is uniquely placed to deal with it.According to ABS statistics, one in three women will suffer violence at the hand of an intimate partner or ex-partner in their lifetime. The NRL is certainly not unique in having to face up to the scourge of violence against women, but it is uniquely placed to deal with it.
Rugby League is one of the most popular sports in our country, and commands millions in sponsorship and salaries each year. Every week, thousands of fans make the trek to see their sporting heroes in action, despite the chill of winter in places like Canberra and Auckland. Hundreds of thousands more tune in weekly to watch their teams on TV, with the TV rights worth billions of dollars.Rugby League is one of the most popular sports in our country, and commands millions in sponsorship and salaries each year. Every week, thousands of fans make the trek to see their sporting heroes in action, despite the chill of winter in places like Canberra and Auckland. Hundreds of thousands more tune in weekly to watch their teams on TV, with the TV rights worth billions of dollars.
Merchandise is sold to young and old, team allegiances are formed at birth and young footballers will stop at nothing to get a lucrative professional contract. A funeral I recently attended asked mourners to dress in red and white, such was the deceased’s passion for the Saints.Merchandise is sold to young and old, team allegiances are formed at birth and young footballers will stop at nothing to get a lucrative professional contract. A funeral I recently attended asked mourners to dress in red and white, such was the deceased’s passion for the Saints.
Related: Domestic violence: five women tell their stories of leaving - the most dangerous timeRelated: Domestic violence: five women tell their stories of leaving - the most dangerous time
The influence of the NRL and its players means that alongside the glory and the mateship, the press conferences and the pretty girls, must come the downside of playing professional football – being a responsible role model.The influence of the NRL and its players means that alongside the glory and the mateship, the press conferences and the pretty girls, must come the downside of playing professional football – being a responsible role model.
The NRL’s failure to adequately condemn those players who don’t live up to the fame bargain by assaulting women suggests that violence against women in fact does have a place in the game, despite Smith’s assertions to the contrary.The NRL’s failure to adequately condemn those players who don’t live up to the fame bargain by assaulting women suggests that violence against women in fact does have a place in the game, despite Smith’s assertions to the contrary.
NSW premier Mike Baird’s suggestion that “we need to see some stronger messages coming from the NRL” couldn’t come at a better time – because it appears right now that the NRL doesn’t care about players violently assaulting their wives, their girlfriends or strangers.NSW premier Mike Baird’s suggestion that “we need to see some stronger messages coming from the NRL” couldn’t come at a better time – because it appears right now that the NRL doesn’t care about players violently assaulting their wives, their girlfriends or strangers.
Temporary suspension of players says that violence can be forgiven, and the violent assault on a woman forgotten after a ban for an arbitrary number of rounds. The NRL failing to act on players committing criminal offences tells us that the men who assault the women in their lives can simultaneously be heroes, and put on a pedestal to be worshipped. A dangerous game, indeed.Temporary suspension of players says that violence can be forgiven, and the violent assault on a woman forgotten after a ban for an arbitrary number of rounds. The NRL failing to act on players committing criminal offences tells us that the men who assault the women in their lives can simultaneously be heroes, and put on a pedestal to be worshipped. A dangerous game, indeed.