Is the Women in League Round Dated?
Last week the NRL celebrated its tenth annual Women in League round. As teams wore jerseys to honour causes like Ovarian Cancer Australia, high teas and lunches were being held at clubs across the country to recognise the commitment of the wives and partners of NRL players.
However, the media placed the greatest focus on our female rugby league players, referees and sports journalists who have come leaps and bounds within the sport, fighting for recognition with every hurdle they face.
It is truly incredible to watch our Jillaroos play, who run just as fast and tackle just as hard as their male counterparts. Whilst watching women like Belinda Sleeman and Kasey Badger, I am astounded at their composure when dealing with athletes fuelled by testosterone. Watching the interviews conducted by journalists Erin Molan and Yvonne Sampson, I am proud to be an aspiring journalist in this day and age, with women who are shown the utmost respect by their male colleagues, in both the reporters and athletes.
Despite watching all of these women achieve their goals, I can't help but think that the Women In League round is a misogynistic event designed to appease the mind of the male leaders in the NRL.
During the weekend, despite being the 'Women in League' round, there was not one women’s game played at a national level or even televised for the public to watch and celebrate. How can we embrace our female athletes, who we respect so dearly, when the NRL can't even broadcast (or organise) one of their games on the weekend when there was a round designated to them?
We talk about women being equals within the sport but having a round designed to recognise the work they do takes away from the equality and respect that they have worked so hard to achieve. I often wonder why we need an individual podium to gain respect for our female athletes, when we are trying to live in an equal gender society.
Every advertisement prior to the round showcased the athletes, journalists and business women within the industry. This was something I found quite annoying, as they did not achieve these positions because of their gender or that they 'fitted the mould', but because they were they excelled in their respective fields.
The Women in League Round should have, in my opinion, concentrated on recognising the support and hard work of the wives, partners and mothers. Many NRL players have young families who they regularly leave due to inter state game commitments. Take for instance, Greg Bird spent 32 of 33 days on the road during the May/ June period, leaving his wife Becky and baby daughter at home to fend for themselves.
Stories like these make me, as both a fan and an aspiring journalist, truly appreciate what happens behind closed doors, the hard work that is put in by the wives and partners who have to deal with such tiring schedules.
The most recognition of the round should have been given to the mothers of NRL players, whether they have children playing at an elite level or even at junior clubs. From a young age, mothers devote many hours supporting their budding superstars, driving them to training and games, which can often be hours away disrupting regular family life.
Moving forward, I hope that we no longer need a 'Women in League' round to recognise the hard work of our female athletes, journalists and business women. In a sport with such diversity, I do not think that it will take long before there is a women's league to parallel the mens.
The continuance of the Women in League round should be about focusing on the hard work and determination of the wives, partners and mothers of NRL players.
*Images courtesy of NRL.com