Callouts key to ending homophobia in cricket: Schutt
Australian bowler Megan Schutt says while the public’s response to Marcus Stoinis’ homophobic sledge has been encouraging, the incident shows the need for greater work to be done in the men’s game.
Melbourne Stars BBL allrounder Stoinis was fined A$7500 (NZ$7811) but avoided suspension for a homophobic sledge towards Renegades player Kane Richardson. James Pattinson was banned in November for a similar incident, although it was his third code of conduct breach in 18 months.
‘‘I think men get heated in situations and it’s unfortunate that those words still slip out – but I don’t think there was actually any malice in it – or I like to hope not,’’ Schutt told AAP.
‘‘But it’s also cool to see the reactions that have come out because it shows, in society as a whole, we’re trying to eliminate the use of those words definitely as insults, first and foremost.
‘‘So I think that’s probably been the best part of it, is everyone saying that he’s got off lightly and those sorts of things – it shows we have a lot of people in our park, which is honestly really welcoming. It’s just nice.’’
Schutt emphasised the importance of female cricketers being willing to call each other out on offensive language – something she felt was less prevalent in the men’s game.
‘‘We call each other out with things like that and I think the males probably need to get better at that,’’ she said.
‘‘In the [men’s] change room, I’m sure there’s not a lot of people calling each other out on the words they use. So until that changes, probably on-field, these things will still happen.’’
Team-mate Jess Jonassen said while Stoinis had been remorseful, she would like to see an ‘‘appropriate’’ sanction for homophobic language adopted.
‘‘I think going forward we need to come up with some sort of appropriate sanction because you don’t want somebody who’s in a community cricket situation — or anybody else who’s wanting to put out there who they are as a person — to be afraid of being ridiculed like that.’’
– AAP