Are we letting down our young stars?
- Thread starter delpy
- Start date
Post it here and I may read it
**We are Betraying our own Role Models**
The S Word
http://delpysword.com/2013/02/27/we-are-betraying-our-own-role-models
Posted on 27 February, 2013
With the race to capture the hearts of our country’s youth, sporting organisations such as the NRL are choosing the youngest of their athletes as representatives of their code. Unfortunately, these athletes are human. Humans that are employed by their club for no other reason than that they are good at football, and yet, we expect them to have all the skills required to manage a six-figure-per-year brand. These players are expected to be experts at everything from conversing with the media, to controlling finances, to being a role model for kids. Is it really such a surprise that they are letting us down?
**Barba Black Sheep**
A lot has been said about Ben Barba in the last few days. There has been a lot of innuendo about alcohol abuse, gambling addictions and even domestic violence. All that has been official released by the Bulldogs so far is that “Ben Barba is ill and he needs help”, according to Bulldogs CEO, Todd Greenberg. Ben is expected to join a clinic in the coming days to treat his alcohol and gambling-related problems.
Todd Greenberg is receiving, and deserves, a high amount of praise for his treatment of this issue. He has chosen to put Ben Barba the person first. “If I put all the cards on the table it will help you, but it won’t help me and it certainly won’t help Ben,” Greenberg told reporters. Perhaps we could all learn from Mr. Greenberg’s example.
**The Face-of-the-League Curse**
In a pattern that is becoming reminiscent of the NFL’s Madden Curse, Ben Barba is just the latest in a string of NRL Face-of-the-League players that have found themselves in hot water on the eve of the season launch. In 2009, Brett Stewart was charged with sexually assaulting a 17 year-old girl after the Manly Sea Eagles season launch, and in 2011, Benji Marshall was charged with assaulting a man outside of a Sydney CBD McDonald’s. In 2013, it was seemingly Ben Barba’s turn.
**The real betrayal**
Sure, Ben, Benji and Brett have all disappointed their fans, clubs, families and themselves, but the real betrayal has come from the NRL and its community. The job of a professional sportsperson involves both playing well and behaving well, and yet training focuses disproportionately towards the former. Yes, clubs are involved in education programs, but are we really doing enough?
We must implement a league-mandated system whereby players are involved in a minimum of two hours per week of “brand management training”. In this training, players will learn how to speak to the media, how to act in public, how to manage their new found wealth, and what the consequences are for breaching the code of conduct.
Will this prevent off-field indiscretions? No. But even if it helps just one player keep their nose clean and remain in the game, isn’t it worth it?
How would you solve the bad behavior epidemic? Is training the answer or is it just a case of “boys will be boys”? Let me know your thoughts below.
The S Word
http://delpysword.com/2013/02/27/we-are-betraying-our-own-role-models
Posted on 27 February, 2013
With the race to capture the hearts of our country’s youth, sporting organisations such as the NRL are choosing the youngest of their athletes as representatives of their code. Unfortunately, these athletes are human. Humans that are employed by their club for no other reason than that they are good at football, and yet, we expect them to have all the skills required to manage a six-figure-per-year brand. These players are expected to be experts at everything from conversing with the media, to controlling finances, to being a role model for kids. Is it really such a surprise that they are letting us down?
**Barba Black Sheep**
A lot has been said about Ben Barba in the last few days. There has been a lot of innuendo about alcohol abuse, gambling addictions and even domestic violence. All that has been official released by the Bulldogs so far is that “Ben Barba is ill and he needs help”, according to Bulldogs CEO, Todd Greenberg. Ben is expected to join a clinic in the coming days to treat his alcohol and gambling-related problems.
Todd Greenberg is receiving, and deserves, a high amount of praise for his treatment of this issue. He has chosen to put Ben Barba the person first. “If I put all the cards on the table it will help you, but it won’t help me and it certainly won’t help Ben,” Greenberg told reporters. Perhaps we could all learn from Mr. Greenberg’s example.
**The Face-of-the-League Curse**
In a pattern that is becoming reminiscent of the NFL’s Madden Curse, Ben Barba is just the latest in a string of NRL Face-of-the-League players that have found themselves in hot water on the eve of the season launch. In 2009, Brett Stewart was charged with sexually assaulting a 17 year-old girl after the Manly Sea Eagles season launch, and in 2011, Benji Marshall was charged with assaulting a man outside of a Sydney CBD McDonald’s. In 2013, it was seemingly Ben Barba’s turn.
**The real betrayal**
Sure, Ben, Benji and Brett have all disappointed their fans, clubs, families and themselves, but the real betrayal has come from the NRL and its community. The job of a professional sportsperson involves both playing well and behaving well, and yet training focuses disproportionately towards the former. Yes, clubs are involved in education programs, but are we really doing enough?
We must implement a league-mandated system whereby players are involved in a minimum of two hours per week of “brand management training”. In this training, players will learn how to speak to the media, how to act in public, how to manage their new found wealth, and what the consequences are for breaching the code of conduct.
Will this prevent off-field indiscretions? No. But even if it helps just one player keep their nose clean and remain in the game, isn’t it worth it?
How would you solve the bad behavior epidemic? Is training the answer or is it just a case of “boys will be boys”? Let me know your thoughts below.
Not bad.
I think 'bad behaviour epidemic' is sensationalism.
But you make a fair point, pro sport nowadays use their players much more than just players…theyre a marketing commodity, theyre also human so when they stuff up it doesnt surprise me
I think back to when I was babrbas age and I was always in trouble on the piss etc etc and only had to answer to my mum, g/f and boss
I think 'bad behaviour epidemic' is sensationalism.
But you make a fair point, pro sport nowadays use their players much more than just players…theyre a marketing commodity, theyre also human so when they stuff up it doesnt surprise me
I think back to when I was babrbas age and I was always in trouble on the piss etc etc and only had to answer to my mum, g/f and boss
happy_tiger
Well-known member
I would like to think that most think clubs use Wayne Bennetts ethos when it comes to our young players
" Not only do we want to make them better players from when they join our club , we want them to be better men as well "
Trying to make them all the same is impossible , like mainstream population ,they come from different backgrounds ,different cultures and different circumstances
We all made mistakes when growing up , the key is learning from them and not repeating them
" Not only do we want to make them better players from when they join our club , we want them to be better men as well "
Trying to make them all the same is impossible , like mainstream population ,they come from different backgrounds ,different cultures and different circumstances
We all made mistakes when growing up , the key is learning from them and not repeating them
happy_tiger
Well-known member
@delpy said:
If I was going to take just one thing from Bennetts coaching style it would be this Its why some many of his superstar juniors players stayed on when they could of got better money elsewhere
