Over the past couple of weeks there have been many accusations of sexual misconduct and assault directed at AFL football players.
One of the things that has been highlighted within the media has been the prevailing attitudes towards women at AFL clubs. It has been said that many players see themselves as invincible and they see women as sexual objects.
I found it ironic that a recent report in Western Australia’s Sunday Times called for a change in culture within clubs while on page 87 of the same edition was an article titled, “Footy glamour on the road.” The article carried a photo of two fully dressed sports commentators from local radio statio 6PR next to two ‘barely dressed’ young ladies sporting skimpy bikinis.
The article says:
“RADIO 6PR is set to inject new glamour into its football coverage. The popular Footy on the Road panel show will run a Miss Football competition throughout season 2004.
Entrants will be judged each month with a final parade of beauties during the September finals series.
They will vie for a trip for two to Singapore, with $2000 spending money.
Footy on the Road kicks off next Friday at the Kardinya Tavern, with chairman Peter Vlahos and panellists Karl Langdon, Ken Judge, George Grljusich and Scott Watters.
The first Miss Football heat will be on April 30 at Woodvale Tavern. It’s not the first time the fairer sex has played a prominent role in 6PR’s footy panel shows.
In the late 1970s, when current 6PR afternoon presenter Gary Carvolth was panel chairman, Miss Football was a major attraction at the Friday lunchtime show.”
How can the culture of the game be changed to respect women if media outlets still think it’s acceptable to have scantily clad young women strutting their stuff at footy related events for no other reason than to provide eye candy for the kinds of men who gather there?
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading You Can't Have It Both Ways? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
