Fans praise TRL’s stance on racism
‘‘ IT RAISES PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE SO WE CAN CHANGE THINGS. I LOVE THE STATEMENT AND APPRECIATE IT.
JULIE DUNCAN
While an allegation of a racist remark from a crowd member at a TRL fixture prompted a heart-felt plea from the league, the wider rugby league community has rallied around the strong stance.
Beyond Broncos student support officer at Dalby State High Julie Duncan has been coming to TRL fixtures since she was a little girl.
She continues to attend to this day, watching husband Troy play A-grade for the Dalby Diehards, and said she wants it to continue to be a pleasant experience.
“I grew up in Dalby and have been going since I was a kid. My father would attend every game and we grew up watching the NRL,” Duncan said.
“My husband has been playing since he was a kid. As a family, we always look forward to the footy to on the weekend.”
Duncan said any form of negative comments shouldn’t be welcomed in the game, having heard them first-hand in the past.
“There’s no place for it in sporting events or anywhere, even on the field between players,” she said.
“With people cheering from the crowd, I would do that for team, in general I wouldn’t say any derogatory comments to other team.
“It is bad sportsmanship and kills the sporting experience.
“I have (heard derogatory comments) in the past at previous games. It makes you feel unwelcome and frustrated.
“Sometimes with drunken spectators it’s accepted, and I would like to change that culture within sport.
“We need to be good role models for the next generation.
“My husband loves his footy. My family and friends are Indigenous and love their footy and sport.
“They should be able to participate in sport and not have to endure racial vilifying comments.”
When asked if she thought the TRL’s far-reaching Facebook post would have an impact, Duncan said she hoped people would stand up and take notice.
“I think it will. When organisations make such a public stance against things like that, it’s huge,” she said.
“It doesn’t just keep going under the radar, it sheds a light on it.
“It raises public awareness on the issue so we can change things. I love the statement and appreciate it.”
Duncan said those sorts of comments had no place in our society in this day and age, and encouraged witnesses to come forward if it were to happen in the future.
“You need to respond to racism if you witness it, people know it’s unacceptable,” she said.
“It’s 2018. We’ve moved forward a bit as a nation.
“You don’t want to be a silent bystander on any issue that isn’t right, same as bullying.
“I tell my kids at school to always speak up for things that you know are wrong.”