http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...dging-female-abc-reporter-20140412-zqu08.html
Warren Ryan earns wrath for sledging female ABC reporter
Date
April 12, 2014 - 11:10PM
Daniel Lane
Sports reporter & Video journalist
Former premiership-winning coach and long-term ABC commentator Warren Ryan earned the wrath of listeners during last week's broadcast of the Souths-St George Illawarra match when he appeared to take offence at sideline eye Shannon Byrne's opinion on frontline defence.
Byrne, a female sports reporter who represented South Australia in netball, was acknowledged by station management as a talent on the rise. However, she was taken to task during the call after Ryan complained she had offered a contradictory opinion to his own about a tackle. Rather than let it go Ryan interrupted David Morrow's call to complain "it's interesting, a netballer telling me about frontline defence. Fascinating."
ABC Radio's head of sport Craig Norenbergs confirmed there was a number of complaints lodged with the national broadcaster regarding what was seen as a put-down.
"I have spoken to everyone who was involved and we are going to monitor what is said in the future," Norenbergs said. "I think it is unfortunate because Shannon is a great talent."
The sledge was uttered by the 74-year-old at a time when the NRL is trying to increase female participation numbers as junior coaches and in the administrative ranks. Apart from having females represented on some NRL club's boards, the Bulldogs appointed Raelene Castle as their chief executive. Castle, like Byrne, had a netball background.
During the week the NRL also tried to prove it was all inclusive by joining Australia's other major sports in pledging to stamp out homophobia from the sporting landscape.
"David and Warren are very well respected and, particularly from Warren, I would expect more from such an experienced broadcaster," Norenbergs said. "There were a few complaints made about it and, yes, we have had to put our hand up and say we expected better from him.
"As I've said I have had a chat to all involved and hopefully we have all learned from this. Warren said he had learnt from it and he's indicated he wants to retire at the end of the season and I'd like to see him stand down as the great coach he is rather than be remembered for a couple of comments he should not have said.
"One thing I will not stand for is bad behaviour on air or off."
Norenbergs praised Morrow, who last year was suspended from calling the NRL's finals after what was perceived to be a racist joke was accidentally broadcast by a "live" microphone, for not allowing Ryan's comment to turn even uglier by continuing the call.
"David is so professional he steered it in a different direction and he deserves to be commended for that," he said.
ABC Grandstand has not been scared to blaze new frontiers in sports broadcasting by having Debbie Spillane call A-League matches, Kelli Underwood the AFL and Byrne's involvement on the rugby league coverage. This year, indigenous caller Brad Cooke was recruited to call Monday night matches.
"We are simply reflecting society," Norenbergs said. "None of this is tokenism, we are appointing talented, respected and professional people to do what is a tough job extremely well."
