They say a week is a long time in politics – well a week is also a long time in sport!
While I was away on holidays, the sporting headlines were dominated by an issue which has the potential to radically alter the sporting landscape in Australia. And it can either divide or unite a team; it can tear at the fabric of the club's relationships with its players or strengthen it; it can send a club broke or increase sponsorship.
Donnell Wallum is an indigenous netball player. She plays for the Brisbane Firebirds. She was chosen last month to make her debut for the Australian Diamonds netball team. However before she even got on to the court, she made an important decision.
Netball Australia has fallen on hard times. It was reported they were $7million in debt. Then Gina Rinehart (Australia's richest person) stepped in to sponsor the Diamonds, through her company Hancock Prospecting, to the tune of $15million. That's where Donnell comes in. She took a stand; she made a tough decision.
Lang Hancock (Gina's father and founder of Hancock Prospecting) commented 40 years ago, that he would dope the water of half-caste Aborigines to breed them out of existence. Based on these troublesome historical comments, Donnell made the decision not to wear the Hancock Prospecting logo on her soon to be presented Diamonds' bib. Netball Australia was none too happy with Donnell's decision but soon found themselves embroiled in a more difficult position, when the whole Diamonds' team decided to support Donnell in solidarity. The team was galvanised by this issue to support one of its own.
Gina Hancock was not going to be snubbed, especially as she probably saw herself as saving netball in Australia. So Gina withdrew her sponsorship offer. After that more upheaval but now the situation has calmed somewhat with Netball Australia securing another $15million sponsorship, this time from the Victorian Government. The fact that there is a state election in a few weeks no doubt has nothing to do with the Victorian Government stepping in to rescue Netball Australia.
Previously there were only a few players powerful enough to make decisions on principle, that could upset sponsors. Now it seems to be happening more often. Pat Cummins (Australian cricket captain) won't appear in Alinta Energy (Aust cricket's main sponsor) ads anymore because of his concerns over climate change. A group of Socceroos have released a video message condemning Qatar's human rights record and ban on same sex relationships, ahead of their appearance at this year's World Cup in Qatar.
When one or several players stand by their principles; this can divide a team as in Manly's pride round jersey, or unite a team as with the Diamonds. These types of decisions can be very powerful.
MercyMe wrote the bestselling Christian song of all time – Imagine. They have now released another song, incredibly I like it just as much – Say I won't. Here are some of the lyrics.
While I have been waiting to live – my life's been waiting on me.
I'm gonna run – No I gonna fly
I'm gonna know what it means to live and not just be alive
The world's gonna hear, cause I'm gonna shout
And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out
Say I won't
Not enough is what I've been told
But it must be a lie cause the Spirit inside says I'm so much more
So let them say what they want
Oh I dare them to try
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength
We may not be high profile athletes in high profile sporting teams. But we all have influence, somewhere with somebody.
Let's live by our principles and let our world know where we stand. Not everybody will agree with our decisions but if God does, they will be valuable and powerful decisions.
Make a stand – make it known – cop the heat – see the change.
In the words of MercyMe know what it's like to live and not just be alive.
Say I won't.
Go with God.
No comments:
Post a Comment