■ The headline read: “I’m gay and I play footy. What’s the big deal?” It was a recent article in The Age written by Rhyian Anderson-Morley, who plays in the WRFL for the Yarraville Seddon Eagles. People have asked me what I thought of the article as I have been involved in the league for many years. For me, the headline says it all. What’s the big deal? I consider it a non-issue, and judging by the little reaction I’ve seen to it, so do most people. Was it brave of Rhyian to go public? Probably. Was it necessary? In my opinion, probably not. He wrote that some of his teammates had already asked him about his sexual orientation and he was honest in his answer. To me, that means everyone already knew before he addressed the group. No one sits on that sort of information in a club; it spreads like wildfire.
Is homophobia alive and well in football? Of course it is, because football is a part of society and brings together people from different professions, backgrounds, religions, socio-economic groups – you name it. Football still has racist issues, especially at suburban level where the ethnic diversity of the participants is even more concentrated.
The question Rhyian asks at the end of his article is interesting: is football ready for an openly gay player? We have had one in Jason Ball for a number of years, playing in the amateurs, and there has been nothing but support for him. Homosexuality is not an issue in female sports so why is it portrayed as the elephant in the men’s locker room? Is it sponsorship and the effect it might have on the mighty sports dollar? Probably, but I feel that public opinion and the media attention would make any sponsor think long and hard about withdrawing sponsorship. I hope Rhyian is the last footballer who feels the need to stand in front of his teammates and talk about his sexual preference. Let’s get on with the game.
■ Braybrook Football Club celebrates its 140th year this Sunday with a big day at Pennell Reserve. Favourite sons Georgie Bissett, John Lloyd and Ray Walker will return for this day of celebrating one of the greatest local footy clubs.
■ Werribee Centrals Past Players Day is this Saturday at Galvin Park with the seniors wearing a heritage jumper and an auction of those jumpers happening during the night. Centrals will also be celebrating the 1984 and 2004 premierships. The club has been incredibly successful in its 30-year history in the GDFL.
