Blake Ferguson allowed out in public - Now with NRL reply,

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

And not only that, but he's allowed to play for the Roosters next year.

http://www.nrl.com/blake-ferguson-to-return-to-nrl/tabid/10874/newsid/83328/default.aspx?cid=NRL_HP_Hero

The NRL said today it has agreed to register the contract of Blake Ferguson to play for the Sydney Roosters in 2015.

Head of Integrity, Nick Weeks said Ferguson had been out of the game since his contract was terminated by the Canberra Raiders in 2013.

Mr Weeks said Ferguson had completed a program of clinical support and counselling set down by the NRL as a condition of his return.

“Blake will be required to continue this support program on his return to the NRL,” Mr Weeks said.

“His contract has been registered subject to strict conditions relating to his conduct off the field.

“We wish him a successful return to the NRL.”

 

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

I sent a hurried and not too well worded email to the NRL, trying to be as polite as possible. It'll only annoy someone in marketing.

Hi.
>
I' a little concerned about the contradictory message the NRL is sending by allowing players convicted of violent offences towards women to continue playing. Allowing the Roosters to register a contract for Blake Ferguson seems quite distasteful. Whilst it's good to see players involved in causes like white ribbon, and the Women in League program, it all seems hollow if players who bash or indecently assault women are still playing professional footy. Whilst the game is keen to clean up it's image, sticking a pink jersey on Robert Lui isn't fooling anyone. Neither is sending players to "counselling", as if they made it into adulthood thinking it was ok to hit women and just needed someone to explain it to them.
>
The league needs to either genuinely clean up it's act and get rid of the rot, or it needs to distance itself from off field incidents altogether and take the line that what happens off field stays off field. You can't do both with any credibility.
>
Other than that I'm looking forward to 2015\. Fixing the dates early on the draw is great for people like me who work nights and weekends. I can start planning my work now so I can make it to all the Tigers home games.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

are they sure its safe to let him out in the public????

 

[DonnyBrasco]

I sent a hurried and not too well worded email to the NRL, trying to be as polite as possible. It'll only annoy someone in marketing.

…
Neither is sending players to "counselling", as if they made it into adulthood thinking it was ok to hit women and just needed someone to explain it to them...

Best thing I have read all week!

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.1.4_

 

[dazza65]

I sent a hurried and not too well worded email to the NRL, trying to be as polite as possible. It'll only annoy someone in marketing.

Hi.
>
I' a little concerned about the contradictory message the NRL is sending by allowing players convicted of violent offences towards women to continue playing. Allowing the Roosters to register a contract for Blake Ferguson seems quite distasteful. Whilst it's good to see players involved in causes like white ribbon, and the Women in League program, it all seems hollow if players who bash or indecently assault women are still playing professional footy. Whilst the game is keen to clean up it's image, sticking a pink jersey on Robert Lui isn't fooling anyone. Neither is sending players to "counselling", as if they made it into adulthood thinking it was ok to hit women and just needed someone to explain it to them.
>
The league needs to either genuinely clean up it's act and get rid of the rot, or it needs to distance itself from off field incidents altogether and take the line that what happens off field stays off field. You can't do both with any credibility.
>
Other than that I'm looking forward to 2015\. Fixing the dates early on the draw is great for people like me who work nights and weekends. I can start planning my work now so I can make it to all the Tigers home games.

Very well written. Excellent post. Just a shame no one will read it, take notice of it or act on it. Not when the Rorters and Politis have another premiership to win and the place is too full of politically correct a holes who will bleat on about Ferguson having rights too and he shouldn't have his livelihood taken away because he is contrite and now understands the evils of alcohol blah blah blah

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.1.4_

 

[Flippedy]

I sent a hurried and not too well worded email to the NRL, trying to be as polite as possible. It'll only annoy someone in marketing.

Hi.
>
I' a little concerned about the contradictory message the NRL is sending by allowing players convicted of violent offences towards women to continue playing. Allowing the Roosters to register a contract for Blake Ferguson seems quite distasteful. Whilst it's good to see players involved in causes like white ribbon, and the Women in League program, it all seems hollow if players who bash or indecently assault women are still playing professional footy. Whilst the game is keen to clean up it's image, sticking a pink jersey on Robert Lui isn't fooling anyone. Neither is sending players to "counselling", as if they made it into adulthood thinking it was ok to hit women and just needed someone to explain it to them.
>
The league needs to either genuinely clean up it's act and get rid of the rot, or it needs to distance itself from off field incidents altogether and take the line that what happens off field stays off field. You can't do both with any credibility.
>
Other than that I'm looking forward to 2015\. Fixing the dates early on the draw is great for people like me who work nights and weekends. I can start planning my work now so I can make it to all the Tigers home games.

Very well written. Excellent post. Just a shame no one will read it, take notice of it or act on it. Not when the Rorters and Politis have another premiership to win and the place is too full of politically correct a holes who will bleat on about Ferguson having rights too and he shouldn't have his livelihood taken away because he is contrite and now understands the evils of alcohol blah blah blah

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.1.4_

Yes extremely well said, Cosimo and I'm sure you echo the sentiments of a lot of other Rugby League supporters, who are sick and tired of the continual hypocrisy shown by the NRL when it comes to the issue of violence against women.

Their pink jerseys and Women in League rounds are all just trendy, token BS. If they were really serious about taking a stance, NO player, who has been found guilty of committing violence against women, would ever be allowed back playing in the NRL again. When it comes to this issue, there should be no second chances - they can go and find another job.

Unfortunately though, as dazza65 said, this will never happen, while people like Uncle Nick are throwing their weight around. The sad reality of this world is that money speaks louder and will always win out over humanity and decency.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

I wish that was the biggest problem in the world :frowning:

_Posted using RoarFEED Android 1.1.7_

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

I sent a hurried and not too well worded email to the NRL, trying to be as polite as possible. It'll only annoy someone in marketing.

Hi.
>
I' a little concerned about the contradictory message the NRL is sending by allowing players convicted of violent offences towards women to continue playing. Allowing the Roosters to register a contract for Blake Ferguson seems quite distasteful. Whilst it's good to see players involved in causes like white ribbon, and the Women in League program, it all seems hollow if players who bash or indecently assault women are still playing professional footy. Whilst the game is keen to clean up it's image, sticking a pink jersey on Robert Lui isn't fooling anyone. Neither is sending players to "counselling", as if they made it into adulthood thinking it was ok to hit women and just needed someone to explain it to them.
>
The league needs to either genuinely clean up it's act and get rid of the rot, or it needs to distance itself from off field incidents altogether and take the line that what happens off field stays off field. You can't do both with any credibility.
>
Other than that I'm looking forward to 2015\. Fixing the dates early on the draw is great for people like me who work nights and weekends. I can start planning my work now so I can make it to all the Tigers home games.

Very well written. Excellent post. Just a shame no one will read it, take notice of it or act on it. Not when the Rorters and Politis have another premiership to win and the place is too full of politically correct a holes who will bleat on about Ferguson having rights too and he shouldn't have his livelihood taken away because he is contrite and now understands the evils of alcohol blah blah blah

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.1.4_

I agree, excellent post!
Now if only you were from Souths or The Rorters , some notice would be taken of It. As for the counselling, from what I've seen of athletes (and other people as well) going through those programmes, they just have the effect of teaching the subject , the right way to speak to the people who matter. And give the right answere, not much else. Won't say it's worthless but…........

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

counselling is good in the right hands

_Posted using RoarFEED Android 1.1.7_

 

[spearby]

as usual nrl gets it wrong or was it the pressure from the dirty rorters uncle nick. watch them get it wrong again with the dragons and packer

 

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

After I "annoyed someone in marketing" last year, The NRL's supporter liason did get back to me a few days ago. She's only paraphrasing the NRL's earlier press releases, but it does show concern for the game's image that I got a reply.

Hi Anthony
>
Thanks for your email.
>
The Integrity Unit must be satisfied that a person in this situation is a fit and proper person to be part of the NRL before they will be re-registered.
>
This may include a requirement that they undertake appropriate rehabilitation before their contracts will be registered and they are allowed to play in the NRL again.
>
Blake Ferguson had completed a program of clinical support and counselling set down by the NRL as a condition of his return, and will be required to continue this support program on his return to the NRL.
>
His contract has been registered subject to strict conditions relating to his conduct off the field.
>
I want to assure you that the NRL will always take a tough stance on any matter which brings the game into disrepute because we want to grow the game and we will not tolerate any behaviour that has the potential to deter fans from our game. The fact remains however that the overwhelming majority of players are not only great athletes but great community ambassadors.
>
Thanks again for sharing your views and for your support of the game.
>
We wish the Tigers the best of luck for the 2015 season.
>
Kind regards
>
Rachel
Supporter Liaison

 

[spearby]

should not be allowed to play nrl ever again how many chances do you get he is a grub

 

[The_Tooth]

No wonder Todd Carney is a bit confused. Drug dealers, women bashers, party drug and performance enhancing drug users and players assaulting taxi drivers or bouncers or members of the public all allowed into the game.

Albeit Carney was a serial offender and personally I believe everyone makes mistakes and in most cases deserve a second chance, but the NRL's integrity unit looks like they play rock, scissor,s paper to make decisions at times.