Personally, I'm going to be boycotting this game on Thursday. I'm a ticketed member and I attend every single home game (and a few away games) sitting on the hill, rain hail or shine. But I want to send a message to the idiots in management who came up with this to say that I don't agree with using our Manly colours and jersey to promote what I believe is a political movement promoting one small section of the community - and masquerading it as 'inclusivity'. This is not about inclusivity at all. It's very focused on the LGBTQ+ community and that's it.
We're already a very inclusive club and sport. Indeed we're an inclusive society. But the beauty of Sport is exactly that - come one, come all, we're all welcome to play, watch and enjoy sport no matter who or what you are. We don't need to promote one small very focused LGBTQI+ agenda to 'prove' to the world how inclusive we are.
Let me be totally clear - I have no issue with the individuals in that particular community or for the matter with any other part of our community. No issue at all. But this is a political message by one section of society with a clear agenda - and anyone who opens their eyes can see that this agenda is permeating through every part of society. And political agendas do not belong in sport.
What's more it's a classic example of meaningless, worthless woke virtue signalling at its best - which also does not belong in sport - or anywhere for that matter.
And before the critics compare it to Women in league round, Indigenous round or ANZAC round, just consider that these rounds are as much appreciation rounds as anything else. We appreciate GREATLY the contribution that women, Indigenous people and ANZACs have made to both the game of Rugby League and to our society in general. I'm sorry, but to compare the contribution that the LGBTQI+ community has made to rugby league and to society in general, is ridiculous. This pride jumper is not about appreciation - the other rounds/jumpers are about appreciation.
In saying that, the indigenous round has certainly been hijacked more and more over the years by political agendas. And to me, that also puts a sour taste in my mouth about indigenous round. Politics doesn't belong in sport. Look at the division it's caused just over this one issue - just on this forum alone?! We all love the Sea Eagles, we all want to see them succeed. Yet there's people turning on each other, name calling, vitriol - all of which I'm sure will appear now on this thread. Are those attitudes inclusive or tolerant??
This round is already Women in League round. So why are we detracting from that by introducing this other aspect to our jersey? Furthermore, the game was supposed to be the first ever Gotch For Life game and now that cause has also been swamped and wiped out of people's minds - to the detriment of they efforts to raise awareness and funds for mental health issues affecting ALL people.
The last point I'd make is that this is a monumental **** up by management and someone needs a rocket in there at HQ. How this could be allowed to get to this stage without EVERYONE being consulted, is just beyond my comprehension. Whilst I don't agree with the players reasons for wanting to sit out this round, I agree with their right to do so. And those calling for them to be sacked and calling them weak etc, are directing their anger in the wrong direction in my opinion. The idiots in the marketing department or whoever came up with this, are the ones to blame for this. If we lose this game on Thursday it'll be on them.
I won't be attending the game on Thursday as a (very small) protest/message to management that the Manly colours and Jersey are not the play thing of some person or group of people in management, to be used to promote one particular agenda or another. I call on anyone who thinks the same to also boycott the game and to send a message to management that this is not on. I'll also be writing a letter of complaint.
I'll be watching the game in TV and cheering our boys on as loudly as ever!
MANLY FOREVER.
Cue abuse.
