LAST week threw up a big question where sport is concerned: is it win at all costs? Does it make any difference to those running our sports clubs the background of those they pay – and may I say in many cases handsomely – to represent their club, their sport and become part of their community? It would seem this is not the case in some quarters.
While, as a country, we take one step forward changing our culture, in many cases it is followed by two steps back. The step forward which I was so pleased to see was the many voices, from men and women alike and from all walks of life, who stood up and articulated their feelings of despair at the actions taken by Raith Rovers FC in the signing of David Goodwillie, who was found by a civil court in 2016 to have raped a woman in 2011.
REA DMORE: Stuart Cosgrove on the lesson football clubs must take from the David Goodwillie furore
On the other hand, what I found to a certain extent perplexing was the many people who focused and spoke solely about how this message would negatively impact on women and girls, how they might not have the same enthusiasm to play the game they loved or even begin to feel concerned about being part of a community club, and the impact this could have on the progression and growth of women’s football.
There was very little talk about how these events sent out the wrong message to young impressionable boys and how we need to ensure that we educate them to understand right from wrong and no from yes.
We need to understand how this type of decision can have a negative impact on their thought process as they grow up and understand how this could influence the behaviour of young boys by normalising and idolising the wrong individuals.
We speak often about the power of role models in sport and it is important that they earn this position not just through their sporting prowess, but more so through their lifestyles and thought and care for others.
The continuing growth of media coverage of women in sport is a necessary part of this process and we need to ensure that the coverage continues to be fair and accurate and focuses on the skill level of the women playing sport.
We need families to go out and support their women’s teams, mums dads, sons and daughters, and we need positive affirmation at all times. This isn’t just about sport, it is about our society and our children’s future.
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