NRL'S Female Fans Dwindling?

[bondi.boy]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-...dling/10898160

NRL's female fans dwindling as it deals with 'off-season from hell'

In her case, the fight for change was about respect for women in rugby league — and the brick wall was a reinforced edifice three layers thick.
She pointed to a lack of action by the NRL, the attitude of clubs and the seemingly never-ending stream of players facing court for offences against women.

The final straw was a dawning realisation she was losing the battle against deep-seated attitudes among the men in the game.

etc.

#####

Where do I start?
Maybe y'all would like to start for me.

[QWERTY]

I find this a bit ridiculous. First off, even with all of this drama a true rugby league fan would stand by the game, no matter what has happened. Secondly, sex tape videos are shared by not just nrl players, despite what the nrl believe, but a lot of people in society share them. I dont think it just an nrl problem. Im willing to bet in almost every code, someone recently has shared a tape, and either it hasn't been uncovered, or the code hasn't made it public to save face. The statistic in the article of 24% of women out of a 50% women populace in the shire isn't even that bad. Where is the statistic of men in the population who support the sharks to compare it to? Some women may not even be interested in sports, just like some men aren't. Thirdly, if it bothers you that much, why dont you shift your focus to womens rugby league instead of being embarrassed about your love of the sport. That way, the womens rugby league can become a more significant thing, as morepeople would be focused on it and hence supporting it. Also, 'deep seated attitudes of men in the game?" They make it sound like all men do these things. Overblown. No one focuses on the good. I saw only one article of the Roosters visiting a kid in hospital, as compared to the millions of Dylan Napa sex tape articles. Always how apparently, every man you plays rugby league is a savage.

[bondi.boy]

After four years with the club, Ms Go this week walked away from her role as chair. There are now no women on the board.
She pointed to a lack of action by the NRL, the attitude of clubs and the seemingly never-ending stream of players facing court for offences against women.

The final straw was a dawning realisation she was losing the battle against deep-seated attitudes among the men in the game.
"I just felt disrespected by the NRL as a senior woman in the game," she said.

Not too sure what that last bit is about.

There was one woman on the board, until she left.
Being Chair of an NRL club is not an easy job...you have to deal with many things, including any alleged offences by players against women or any other alleged offences by players.

Lack of action by the NRL?

I've seen plenty of action by the NRL.
It says Ms Go this week walked away from her role as chair…
Recently the NRL introduced new "stand down" rules for players...and is taking a hard line.
Only this morning on the radio news it stated that the NRL CEO said, para; "Any player who doesn't like the NRL's new stand down rules should find another job!"

NRL CEO said on tv that any sex tapes involving players [consenting adults and "not illegal but stupidity"] taken before that day would be not viewed well and sanctions would apply.
He then said that any taken from that day forward would attract serious penalties for players.

Napa was fined 10% of his season's contract money...about $70,000 reportedly.

[player 1]

I'll start and finish it for you:

It's the ABC.

[ism22]

I know two ladies (both specialist doctors) in their early 30's who made a pact to sign up as Roosters members and go to lotsa games together. Both cancelled their respective memberships following negative publicity.

While all of my family members are still signed up, I can't lie... had some of the shyte that has just gone on involved us then I'd be questioning why I'm paying $$$ and encouraging my wife/kids to support a bunch of douchebags.

While these are just anecdotes, take a look at the media. Feminism is massive, #MeToo stuff is still going and large organisations care more about diversity because it's not just women that this BS scares away... father like me don't wanna take their sons to games if they're gonna be cheering for douchebags who don't treat women properly.

Gone are the days of boys being boys. Back in the day, things like what Bolton and Fergo did wouldn't have led to criminal charges being laid because they'd be deemed to be way too minor. The bar for arrest/conviction are really low and there's cameras EVERYWHERE, so there's way more situations where the facts can't be hidden.

Not saying I agree with everything within the current paradigm. For example I think we're all innocent until proven guilty and assumptions of guilt just because somebody posted a lame hashtag on social media are complete bollocks. But... there's no doubt there's elements of the game (and those who play it) that can get farked.

All that said, IMO the NRL needs to respect its own players better and get behind them. NRL players are very attractive to most women, people do legitimately chase them and there's enough false allegations out there that it's a fair call to say that (like many celebrities), people try to bring them down over things like jealousy. SKD got within inches of jumping off the gap and IMO there's a broader issue... welfare and proper treatment. Ben Barba has now handed himself into police and actively asked them to charge him based on the CCTV footage. Assault doesn't require a complaint y'know!!! All he's been charged with is public nuisance. It makes you wonder whether making an example of de Belin, Barba and was the right thing to do. In my mind it's entirely possible that all 3 get off, de Belin is successful with his court matter and Greent*rd looks like a fukking idiot for spending/sacking a heap of innocent men while letting a bunch of drink/drug drivers and the like play with VERY soft suspensions. Just saying...

[bondi.boy]

One player of an NRL club who sins, does not a "bunch of douchebags" at that club make.

What if, one of our biggest stars were to go to a pub/club with the team, no meal, and be engaged in deep conversation and fun for hours, while having a few drinks.
..walk quite a long distance home on a hot night, and while at the front of his home unlocking the gate, fall down/pass out...and be lying on the street...'drunk'.
Someone sees him, takes a phone photo, sells it to the media and it's all over the papers/tv etc?

He should be booted out of the club and the NRL?
Suspended for most of a season?

[bondi.boy]

Drink driving is a crime.

What if, next week, one of our players were to be arrested for being over the alcohol limit roadside by an RBT unit? And when taken to the police station for a secondary test blows .052? Low range, just over.
What would you tell your family about him?

And then, when he appeared in court, his case was "without proceeding to conviction", as I see many cases on "RBT" do.

What if, one of our players were to be arrested for 'common assault' of his wife, because he pushed her and she called the cops?
Like that famous guy a few years ago.
Turned out that he pushed her after she'd pushed him.

What if one of our players did that?

#me too?
They should watch MAFS...see how women are treating men.

Men having verbal abuse screamed at them by women and no one much bats an eyelid.
O respect...wherefore art thou respect?

[Johnny Tobin]

I know two ladies (both specialist doctors) in their early 30's who made a pact to sign up as Roosters members and go to lotsa games together. Both cancelled their respective memberships following negative publicity..

They were solid.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Is this really news? 24% female membership of an NRL club is HUGE..... maybe they should check the percentage of male members in female netball clubs.

[zac]

Female membership and female support for the game is something that needs to be encouraged. League exists in a competitive environment and if you're business model doesn't cater for half of the population you're playing with one hand tied behind your back (but not wearing number 23).

No doubt the 'off season from hell' hasn't helped. We all need to be more respectful of each other.

[bondi.boy]

Is this really news? 24% female membership of an NRL club is HUGE..... maybe they should check the percentage of male members in female netball clubs.

And the number of men on the boards.

[Thirteen]

I want women at games. I don’t want to be surrounded by ugly bogan drunken blokes.

[The Brain]

They were solid.

Never fear Novice Chook is still here still dancin witha Tobes

[Flipper Hands]

Drink driving is a crime.

What if, next week, one of our players were to be arrested for being over the alcohol limit roadside by an RBT unit? And when taken to the police station for a secondary test blows .052? Low range, just over.
What would you tell your family about him?

And then, when he appeared in court, his case was "without proceeding to conviction", as I see many cases on "RBT" do.

What if, one of our players were to be arrested for 'common assault' of his wife, because he pushed her and she called the cops?
Like that famous guy a few years ago.
Turned out that he pushed her after she'd pushed him.

What if one of our players did that?

#me too?
They should watch MAFS...see how women are treating men.

Men having verbal abuse screamed at them by women and no one much bats an eyelid.
O respect...wherefore art thou respect?

Bloody oath, some of the behavior on that show is repulsive.

The whole situation is bizarre to me. I explained my thinking about why this is happening in a reply to rock a while ago, so I won't rehash.

Whats missing here is the other side of the story. There is SO much good done by the game and the players as a group (countless hospital visits, charity work, and more).
A single mans indiscretion should not represent a sport. Yet here we are. Why?

The NRL, Nein have been building the players up as "role models" for years. This is a clear strategy to sell to women and kids. Men were already sold. However, there are, like any population, some league players are role models, some are ordinary dudes, and some are ratbags.

Add the current operating model of the media into the mix, and the the ratbags are going to be exposed.

Unfortunately, most adults don't do what I have done with my kids and family.
1. None of us use any social media, so the outrage echo chamber isn't there.
2. I have no expectations of league players other than performing on the field.
Good stuff is a bonus, negative stuff rolls right off me (and them).

At the end of the day this is an appalling way to treat players, and a serious rollback in rights. If I were the players association, I would be lawyering up

I loath whats happening, absolutely loath it. I'm disgusted with the NRL, but not for the reasons they think.

[Chookies74]

"What if, one of our biggest stars were to go to a pub/club with the team, no meal, and be engaged in deep conversation and fun for hours, while having a few drinks.
..walk quite a long distance home on a hot night, and while at the front of his home unlocking the gate, fall down/pass out...and be lying on the street...'drunk'.
Someone sees him, takes a phone photo, sells it to the media and it's all over the papers/tv etc? "

Not that far from the Freddy incident...Glebe...except not too sure Freddy was involved in 'deep conversation' that night