NRL vow to take action

THE NRL will do more to counter toxic team bonding practices by funding more research into footballers’ and clubs’ attitudes towards women.

The NRL’s gender adviser Catherine Lumby, who pushed for the NRL to benchmark its culture again, says terms like “gangas” are “distressing”, and that group sex can sometimes turn into an “abusive male bonding exercise”.

“Group sex is abhorrent to many people but it is legal,” Lumby said. “Some women may decide to consensually participate. We need to remember not to shame those women. However, it can be risky … when group sex happens, where you have strong powerful men, a consensual activity can quickly devolve into an abusive male bonding exercise.

“The language around calling women ‘gangas’ or ‘the bun’ is really distressing.”

Ms Lumby said the NRL hoped club cultures will change as part of funding the big research project, with a range of independent experts investigating footballers’ and clubs’ attitudes.