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http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...us-round-says-stan-grant-20170511-gw2wly.html
The NRL's Indigenous Round threatens to turn into a messy, politicised circus with two versions of Advance Australia Affair – an anthem that many Aboriginal people consider an insult – to be played just before kick-off at most matches.
On Thursday, it was announced an audio recording of a reworked version of the anthem – written in 2009 by Judith Durham of The Seekers fame – will be played to the crowd. Australian Rugby League Commissioner Chris Sarra, who is indigenous, is the driving force behind both anthems being played, but others across the game were shocked when told about the initiative.
Celebration: Players model the their Indigenous Round jerseys. Photo: NRL Imagery
Broadcasters Channel 9 and Fox Sports have strongly advised the NRL against it, forecasting its divisive nature. However, Nine are expected to show it briefly before Friday night's broadcast.
While some indigenous Australians, including Cowboys captainJohnathan Thurston and NSW coach Laurie Daley, are not offended by the current national anthem, many indigenous Australians are. Even more mystifying is that the NRL only plays the anthem before club matches on very special occasions, yet it has chosen to do so over a round of games when it can offend the most.
Politicised: Stan Grant, a passionate spokesman for Aboriginal rights, says the two anthems take away from the celebration of Indigenous Round. Photo: ABC
The lazy alternative in these situations is to call outspoken boxerAnthony Mundine, who last year called for NRL and AFL players to boycott the anthem on grand final day.
Instead, this column phoned highly respected broadcaster Stan Grant, whose impassioned commentary on Aboriginal rights and recognition has stirred important debate in recent years.
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"It really complicates and politicises a round that's meant to be celebrating the achievements of indigenous players," Grant said. "If you're going to play alternative anthems, you are inviting this type of politicisation.
"If you're going to have an indigenous round, it's to acknowledge the impact indigenous players have had on the game. Any sport has the right to play the national anthem of this country, as does any Aboriginal have the right to not like it. That's democracy. To play both is a bet each way.
"This sport has been an amazing avenue for Aboriginal people to achieve things in life, and secondly it has been an incredible outlet for reconciliation and bringing people together. We can celebrate that without opening up a political hornet's nest."
Rugby league has a proud link with indigenous Australia but it needs to be mindful of how it goes about these themed rounds. Is the NRL merely ticking a box?
We'd hope not. The NRL spends about $4 million a year on indigenous footy and programs each year, but some argue it could be more. Last year, the Indigenous Round was spread over two rounds because clubs wanted to maximise as much profit as possible from one-off indigenous-themed jerseys. Several clubs were reluctant to make players available to promote the round.
The anthem remains a point of contention among indigenous players. Souths star Greg Inglis said earlier this year he understood Mundine's anger over the anthem. His Queensland teammate, Johnathan Thurston, does not.
"Obviously there are going to be a lot of people who are patriotic about the national anthem we have now, but I think if people really read the lyrics and understand the lyrics then I think they'd be a fan of the new one as well," Thurston said.
On Anzac Day, I was standing next to Daley and noticed he didn't sing the anthem before the match between the Roosters and Dragons at Allianz Stadium.
Daley is a former Indigenous All Stars coach but is often accused of not making enough noise about Aboriginal issues.
"There's no hidden agenda," he said. "I don't make political statements. But I don't have a problem with [the national anthem]. I don't know as much as some of the elders and some of the people who know more about it than I do. For me, it was the anthem I grew up with and I feel comfortable. I'm not saying it's the best one we can come up with but that's what we've got. As an Australian, I'll support what's in place. It's our song, it's something some people don't like. But in terms of being Australian, we should be proud of where we are, who we are.
this is the whole problem, instead of excepting what we have, if you aren't happy just change it because you can.... Australia is really turning itself into a unpaitriotic spinless lefty nation....
The NRL's Indigenous Round threatens to turn into a messy, politicised circus with two versions of Advance Australia Affair – an anthem that many Aboriginal people consider an insult – to be played just before kick-off at most matches.
On Thursday, it was announced an audio recording of a reworked version of the anthem – written in 2009 by Judith Durham of The Seekers fame – will be played to the crowd. Australian Rugby League Commissioner Chris Sarra, who is indigenous, is the driving force behind both anthems being played, but others across the game were shocked when told about the initiative.
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Celebration: Players model the their Indigenous Round jerseys. Photo: NRL Imagery
Broadcasters Channel 9 and Fox Sports have strongly advised the NRL against it, forecasting its divisive nature. However, Nine are expected to show it briefly before Friday night's broadcast.
While some indigenous Australians, including Cowboys captainJohnathan Thurston and NSW coach Laurie Daley, are not offended by the current national anthem, many indigenous Australians are. Even more mystifying is that the NRL only plays the anthem before club matches on very special occasions, yet it has chosen to do so over a round of games when it can offend the most.
- SHARE ON FACEBOOKSHARE
- SHARE ON TWITTERTWEET
Politicised: Stan Grant, a passionate spokesman for Aboriginal rights, says the two anthems take away from the celebration of Indigenous Round. Photo: ABC
The lazy alternative in these situations is to call outspoken boxerAnthony Mundine, who last year called for NRL and AFL players to boycott the anthem on grand final day.
Instead, this column phoned highly respected broadcaster Stan Grant, whose impassioned commentary on Aboriginal rights and recognition has stirred important debate in recent years.
Advertisement
"It really complicates and politicises a round that's meant to be celebrating the achievements of indigenous players," Grant said. "If you're going to play alternative anthems, you are inviting this type of politicisation.
"If you're going to have an indigenous round, it's to acknowledge the impact indigenous players have had on the game. Any sport has the right to play the national anthem of this country, as does any Aboriginal have the right to not like it. That's democracy. To play both is a bet each way.
"This sport has been an amazing avenue for Aboriginal people to achieve things in life, and secondly it has been an incredible outlet for reconciliation and bringing people together. We can celebrate that without opening up a political hornet's nest."
Rugby league has a proud link with indigenous Australia but it needs to be mindful of how it goes about these themed rounds. Is the NRL merely ticking a box?
We'd hope not. The NRL spends about $4 million a year on indigenous footy and programs each year, but some argue it could be more. Last year, the Indigenous Round was spread over two rounds because clubs wanted to maximise as much profit as possible from one-off indigenous-themed jerseys. Several clubs were reluctant to make players available to promote the round.
The anthem remains a point of contention among indigenous players. Souths star Greg Inglis said earlier this year he understood Mundine's anger over the anthem. His Queensland teammate, Johnathan Thurston, does not.
"Obviously there are going to be a lot of people who are patriotic about the national anthem we have now, but I think if people really read the lyrics and understand the lyrics then I think they'd be a fan of the new one as well," Thurston said.
On Anzac Day, I was standing next to Daley and noticed he didn't sing the anthem before the match between the Roosters and Dragons at Allianz Stadium.
Daley is a former Indigenous All Stars coach but is often accused of not making enough noise about Aboriginal issues.
"There's no hidden agenda," he said. "I don't make political statements. But I don't have a problem with [the national anthem]. I don't know as much as some of the elders and some of the people who know more about it than I do. For me, it was the anthem I grew up with and I feel comfortable. I'm not saying it's the best one we can come up with but that's what we've got. As an Australian, I'll support what's in place. It's our song, it's something some people don't like. But in terms of being Australian, we should be proud of where we are, who we are.
this is the whole problem, instead of excepting what we have, if you aren't happy just change it because you can.... Australia is really turning itself into a unpaitriotic spinless lefty nation....
