However, those who had sporting abilities

However, those who had sporting abilities Racism in Sport added to their income by boxing or racing, Racism in sport for Indigenous people is not often locally. [T]hese people were able to limited to a specific sport or gender. Many become more socially mobile and gain some Indigenous athletes experience barriers in acceptance in the broader community, sport based on their race1. which then afforded them some degree of Despite this, Gorman argues that sport status 5. This did not change broader racial becomes a way to break down the barriers barriers though. between Indigenous and non- Indigenous It has been suggested that these forms of people. Indigenous AFL player Michael Long racism no longer exist6 in sport but there are has stated [s]port has been our greatest some contemporary examples. ally 2. Examples of direct, overt or structural racism Direct, overt3 or structural racism in the AFL/ Aussie rules Indigenous people were historically excluded Sir Douglas Nicholls from participation in sport, particularly representative sport. This resulted from In the 1920s Doug Nicholls was persuaded by direct, overt or structural racism. a Carlton football talent scout to try out for Carlton. He was successful, however, was only [I]n the late 1800s and early to mid 1900s, allowed to train with the team not play. The rations, curfews and reserve life created other players didn t want an Indigenous massive everyday hardship and poverty 4 for person to play on their team7 and it was Indigenous Australians. claimed his smell was intolerable to players and trainers alike 8. 1 Drew Cottle and Angela Keys, The Blindside Flick: Race and Rugby League, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), p. 1. 2 Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 12. 3 Overt means done or shown openly (Oxford University Press, Definition of overt in English, Oxford University Press, http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/eng lish/overt. [22 November 2013]). 4 Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 16. Gorman argues [i]n other words, he smelt because it was an accepted truth amongst 5 Ibid. Chris Hallinan and Barry Judd, Race relations, Indigenous Australia and the social impact of professional Australian football, Sport in Society, vol.12(9), 2009, p. 1227. 7 Sir Douglas Nicholls (Pastor), http://www.kooriweb.org/foley/heroes/nicholls.ht ml. [27 November 2013]. 8 Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 14. 6 1

non- Indigenous Australians that Aboriginals Chris Lewis, Troy Ugle, Michael Long and were dirty and choose to live in squalid Derek Kickett conditions. For many Blackfellas, they had no Chris Lewis, Troy Ugle, Michael Long and choice as the local tip or sewerage depot Derek Kickett, Indigenous AFL players, were the only places they were allowed to received hate mail which included death live 9. threats12. Nicholls switched teams from Carlton and Chris Lewis and Troy Ugle both played for the successfully played Aussie rules. He also ran West Coast Eagles who organised counselling competitively and boxed. He went on also to for the players13. Lewis also received achieve a lot outside of sport. For more information counselling for racial abuse by other players14. go to Nicky Winmar http://www.kooriweb.org/foley/heroes/nicho In 1993 Nicky Winmar and Gilbert McAdam, lls.html. both Indigenous players for St Kilda were Jim and Phil Krakouer reserves entering the field at half time. Upon Jim Krakouer was suspended for a total of 25 entering the field through the tunnel they games, over a season s worth, due to were racially abused by Collingwood fans15. retaliating against the racialised verbal and physical attention that was shown to him and n.p. [Accessed from, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/trailblaze rs- phil- and- jimmy- krakouer- are- proud- to- see- aboriginal- players- getting- a- fair- shake/story- e6frf9jf- 1226650559347, 27 November 2013]. 12 Caroline Wilson, Revisiting past controversy on racial taunts, Newcastle Herald, 20 April 2013, p. n.p. [Accessed from, http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1444891/revi siting- past- controversy- on- racial- taunts/, 27 November, 2013]. 13 Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 14; 14 Caroline Wilson, Revisiting past controversy on racial taunts, Newcastle Herald, 20 April 2013, p. n.p. [Accessed from, http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1444891/revi siting- past- controversy- on- racial- taunts/, 27 November, 2013]. 15 Michael Gordon, The day Nicky Winmar drew the line, The Age, 16 April 2013, p. n.p. [Accessed from http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl- news/the- his younger brother Phil 10. For example, Phil Krakouer describes how he regularly shook opposing player s hands before a game as a sign of sportsmanship. He recalls one instance where after putting out his hand and saying Good luck, mate, the opposing player refused his hand claiming that he did not shake hands with Indigenous people because they smelt11. 9 Ibid., p. 17. Ibid. p. 14. 11 Jon Anderson, Trailblazers Phil and Jimmy Krakouer are proud to see Aboriginal players getting a fair shake, Herald Sun, 26 May 2013, p. 10 2

In response, they decided to play well and Michael Long was racially abused by another earn first and second best on the ground 16. player in the 1995 ANZAC Day AFL game19. In Their team won. It was the team s first victory a tackle the opposing tackled player, said at Victoria Park in two decades. someone get this black **** off me 20. After winning, when passing the Collingwood By highlighting racial abuse by another player crowd Nicky Winmar pulled up his guernsey the AFL introduced Racial and Religious pointed to his skin and said I m black - and Vilification laws 21. proud to be black 17. However, Gorman suggests that to some It was printed as front page news the non- Indigenous people [he was] nothing following morning with racist remarks more than a trouble maker, a jumped up condemned by senior columnists and darkie who did not know his place 22. writers18. This was perhaps because using racist Winmar s gesture opened eyes, suggesting comments was accepted as part of distracting Indigenous disadvantage and experiences of an opponent off their game23. If one couldn t racial discrimination cannot be ignored. handle racist comments then they were seen as weak and did not belong in the game24. If you would like to hear McAdam talk about this day go to the following links: Adam Goodes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmtadk ph7za In 2013 Sydney Swans player Adam Goodes and was verbally abused 25 by a Collingwood fan http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/four- match- ban- for- western- bulldogs- justin- 19 Australian Government Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations, Michael Long, Australian Government Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations, http://www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/defau lt.asp?id=15305. [27 November 2013]. 20 Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 19. 21 Ibid., p. 14. 22 Ibid., p. 15. 23 Ibid., p. 15. 24 Ibid. 25 Adrian Crawford, Adam Goodes gutted by racial slur but wants AFL fan educated, ABC News, 27 May 2013. [Accessed from, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05- 25/goodes- sherman- for- racial- abuse/story- fn8ymmuy- 1226083095002. Michael Long day- nicky- winmar- drew- the- line- 20130416-2hydd.html, 27 November 2013]. 16 Ibid. 17 Ibid. 18 Ibid. 3

in the Indigenous round of the AFL. Goodes Although, this did not break down structural was called an ape. The comment came from barriers. a 13 year old girl. Frank Fisher Upon hearing the comment Goodes pointed Frank Fisher was a talented rugby league to the fan who was removed by security. player, who was selected to play against a touring Great Britain side 32. Rather than being angry Goodes suggested that the girl needed to be educated on why such a comment was hurtful The touring side s manager suggested he play and football in England. However, because he 26 unacceptable. was constrained by the Aborigines Protection Board and [was] not seen as a citizen he Racism in Rugby League would never have been granted a passport 33. Until the 1960s race was not considered in rugby league because it was a white man s Dean Widders 27 game. Institutionalised racism meant that In 2005 in a club match between Parramatta few Aboriginal men played rugby league at and Souths, Indigenous player Dean Widders the highest level 28. The only exceptions were was called a black **** by Souths captain outstanding players29. Bryan Fletcher34. Despite this, David Huggonson s research Fletcher lost his captaincy35. reveals that rugby league became an outlet to racism in Queensland from 1908-195830. In Examples of direct, overt or structural racism Queensland, the 1897 Aboriginal Protection in other sports Act had segregated Indigenous people onto Eddie Gilbert reserves Rugby league had a presence on Eddie Gilbert was a cricket player. While a these reserves, with many of the communities talented bowler, bowl[ing] Bradman for a forming their own rugby league teams 31. 32 Ibid. Ibid. 34 James MacSmith, Fletcher in race row, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 July 2005, p. n.p. [Accessed from, http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/fletcher- in- race- row/2005/07/03/1120329328346.html, 27 November 2013]. 35 Drew Cottle and Angela Keys, The Blindside Flick: Race and Rugby League, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: AN Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), p. 5. 33 gutted- but- places- no- blame/4712772, 27 November 2013]. 26 Ibid. 27 Drew Cottle and Angela Keys, The Blindside Flick: Race and Rugby League, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: AN Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), p. 1. 28 Ibid. 29 Ibid., p. 3. 30 Ibid. 31 Ibid. 4

duck 36, he was criticised for his bowling people hiding Indigenous disadvantage and inequality39. technique in a similar way to other Indigenous cricketers before him37. Some argue that this These positive representations of Indigenous was a product of racial discrimination. athletes, construct them in these limiting After leaving cricket he became mentally ill ways. It confines them to being super human part of which Gorman suggests resulted from and having special sporting abilities40. the racial discrimination he experienced. Enlightened racism then ignores all the hours of training put in by Indigenous players41. Gorman states: Gilbert was on many occasions made to take his meals away from This type of racism is a problem because it is the team whilst on tour with the Queensland an indirect form of accepted racism. state side. Some of Gilbert s team mates even refused to shake his hand after he had taken a wicket 38. Enlightened racism in the AFL Enlightened racism Hallinan and Judd argue that for the AFL using Some discussions of Indigenous people in positive sport construct them as super human with athletes means that they can avoid structural special and natural sporting abilities. While hierarchies in the AFL. This is because this is positive because they support Indigenous AFL players are often excluded Indigenous participation they can also be from leadership and decision making negative. positions 42. They state: Jhally and Lewis call this representations of Indigenous enlightened racism. [d]espite the increase of [Indigenous players Enlightened racism is the idea that coverage in the AFL] Indigenous players [are] focuses on positive images of Indigenous assigned into non- central field positions that Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 17. 37 Raymond Evans, Gilbert, Edward (Eddie) (1905-1978), National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gilbert- edward- eddie- 6379. [27 November 2013]. 38 Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 17. Chris Hallinan and Barry Judd, Race relations, Indigenous Australia and the social impact of professional Australian football, Sport in Society, vol.12(9), 2009, p. 1227. 40 Ibid. 41 Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 18. 42 Chris Hallinan and Barry Judd, Race relations, Indigenous Australia and the social impact of professional Australian football, Sport in Society, vol.12(9), 2009, p. 1227. 36 39 5

place an emphasis on speed and quickness Hallinan and Judd suggest that unlike in the and away from positions widely believed to AFL in the NRL Indigenous people hold require leadership and intellectual skills 43. coaching, commenting, managing, recruiting Furthermore, despite and selecting positions48. Examples include comprising Arthur Beetson and Gorden Tallis. approximately 10% of AFL players (as compared to 2% of the national population), Inferential racism Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders are still Inferential racism is the idea that the beliefs absent from team or club management people hold about others of a certain race positions 44. impact on the way they see and think about Enlightened racism in rugby league the abilities of certain races. Similarly, differences in sporting abilities Hallinan and Judd discuss examples of between Indigenous and non- Indigenous inferential racism in the AFL and how athletes have been attributed to evolution perceptions of coaches and journalists impact and on the roles offered to Indigenous players. biological differences between 45 Indigenous and non- Indigenous bodies. This For instance, some managers spoke about assumption carries across into contemporary how Indigenous players don t know how to discussions of Indigenous athletes because manage money and weren t interested in it. Indigenous sporting abilities are spoken about They were suggested to live day to day and as natural and magical. This divides they didn t know if Indigenous players would Indigenous and non- Indigenous people which want to be in leadership positions49. 46 is a problem and enforces racist stereotypes. Therefore, they were assumed to not want to Although Cottle and Keys suggest that coach or manage. enlightened racism, like in the AFL, hides the Others were more positive about Indigenous fact that Indigenous rugby league players only players coaching or managing a team50. 47 occupy playing roles Hallinan and Judd However, one manager suggested that disagree. because the skills of playing come naturally 43 Ibid., p. 1225. Ibid. 45 Drew Cottle and Angela Keys, The Blindside Flick: Race and Rugby League, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: AN Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), p. 2. 46 Ibid. 47 Ibid., p. 4. 44 48 Chris Hallinan and Barry Judd, Race relations, Indigenous Australia and the social impact of professional Australian football, Sport in Society, vol.12(9), 2009. 49 Ibid., p. 1228. 50 Ibid. 6

to them as Indigenous people they may find Indigenous All Stars team as well as an them difficult to teach51. Controversial race issues Indigenous Team of the Century. and proud The AFL has also introduced Indigenous initiatives symbolising the AFL s support of Indigenous Australians reconciliation and Indigenous participation. One incident of controversy was when Cathy For example, events like Dreamtime at the Freeman after winning gold at the 1994 G, the bi- annual Indigenous All- Stars games, Commonwealth Games draped the Aboriginal recognition of an Indigenous Team of the flag around her shoulders as she paraded Century and institution of the Marn- Grook around the arena52. Cup 55. Her actions were condemned by some. However, Hallinan and Judd argue that the Another similar controversy, more recently, AFL through requiring players to move from was when boxer Damian Hooper wore an their home towns and embed themselves in Aboriginal flag t- shirt at the 2012 London the team culture still uses techniques of Olympic Games. He was warned about his assimilation and integration56. actions as the t- shirt was not official uniform. Hallinan and Judd argue that the AFL needs to He believed it was a way to represent create Indigenous leadership opportunities Australia and his people53. off the playing field 57. This can be achieved Positively through an all Indigenous led team. There are some examples of positive action in In the media on NITV there are two shows both football codes and the media. which are produced, managed and hosted Indigenous player numbers have increased in entirely by Indigenous staff 58. These shows rugby league since the 1960s54 and there is an are similar to the Footy Shows (NRL and AFL) and are called The Marngrook AFL Footy 51 Ibid. Sean Gorman, Sporting Chance: Indigenous Participation in Australian Sport History, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), 2010, p. 16. 53 Rhiannon Eltson, Factbox: Olympic political controversies, ABC, 26 August 2013, http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2012/07/31/ factbox- olympic- political- controversies. [27 November 2013]. 54 Drew Cottle and Angela Keys, The Blindside Flick: Race and Rugby League, Cosmopolitan Civil 52 Societies: AN Interdisciplinary Journal, vol.2(2), p. 4. 55 Chris Hallinan and Barry Judd, Race relations, Indigenous Australia and the social impact of professional Australian football, Sport in Society, vol.12(9), 2009, p. 1229. 56 Ibid. 57 Ibid., p. 1230. 58 Ibid. 7

Show and the The Barefoot Rugby League Indigenous people and can Show 59. hide the disadvantage experienced by them. Questions 4. Why do Hallinan and Judd suggest 1. Whose actions triggered the AFL to introduce Racial and that the AFL encourages assimilation? Religious a. Because Indigenous players Vilification laws? sometimes come from a. Sir Douglas Nicholls remote b. Adam Goodes communities and have to c. Nicky Winmar move d. Michael Long themselves into a team 2. If an Indigenous player is described as culture. having a natural sporting ability what b. Because type of racism is this? Indigenous and the reproduce a. Overt integrate AFL laws government assimilation policies. b. Direct c. Because Indigenous players, c. Enlightened unlike non- Indigenous players d. Structural need to learn to behave 3. Why can enlightened racism be more appropriately, for example, of a problem than direct racism? spend their money correctly. a. Because enlightened racism d. Because the Indigenous can hide the disadvantage players have to integrate experienced by Indigenous themselves into a team which people and is an indirect form is primarily Indigenous. of accepted racism. b. Enlightened racism is not more of a problem than direct or overt racism. c. Because enlightened racism is more academically informed. d. Because enlightened racism directly and overtly targets 59 Ibid. 8