I'd like to take a moment and talk about supporters....
I love supporters - in fact, let us be honest here - I am one. And when I am in supporter mode, I am the loudest & proudest bitch in the room. But even then I do my best not to go psycho on the other team. The word "supporter" means "someone who supports" NOT "someone who degrades the opposing team with racial slurs and horrific disregard for their mom's reputation".
Do those people hear themselves? I first noticed it at a Wales v South Africa match. Near me sat what appeared to be an average British bloke, a few pints heavier on the day. But pre-game, seemed as normal as the day is long. Then when the players took the field and the Boks anthem began, I heard "fuck you" in a voice that seemed to drown out the music. I didn't even know the guy and was several seats from him, but I was still embarrassed. The other Welsh supporters around me were embarrassed. From the faces of people who were working the event, who turned around from the pitch to glare in his direction, they were embarrassed too.
I cannot imagine being a player on a pitch and a supporter in my colors stands up and shouts like that at the opposing team during their anthem. Imagine if this was your kid's club game.
More recently this year, my beloved SMRC played another SoCal squad in an away game. (for the sake of clarity, I'll call them--That Other Team -TOTS) I've photographed TOTS squad before against other clubs, in fact they had someone who courted me to become a part of their family instead of SMRC. Nothing would make me want to be a part of the TOTS family after that game.
All the players were cordial enough, friendly to each other across both squads and the game started well. It was a HOT day and at some point the water guys for SMRC needed a little kick start getting their butts onto the field and the players yelled emphaticly more than once for "WATER!".
This became a sticking point for one TOTS supporter. She laid into a particularly loud player from the stands: "What's the matter #_? Is it too hot for you guys out there? Poor little players thirsty from getting your asses kicked? Maybe you should be water boy & your team might play better. Fuck you guys" She continued to call out this player's number and shout insults at him the rest of the game. Other supporters around her would either go silent or turn their heads as did coaches and other players on the sidelines. I was camera in hand and representing my team so no I did not turn and punch her in the mouth--also I was too far away. (Situation otherwise given the number she picked on.....) In fact, the only thing pointed out is her own issues and/or how bad her own team was that she couldn't find something positive to cheer them on about. But, SMRC did go ahead and win that match so put that in your karmic pipe and smoke it lady.
Nothing beats what I heard most recently from Eagles supporters in the stands of Houston. USA was behind most of the game and 99% of Eagles fans gave rousing shouts of "U.S.A." and "Let's Go Eagles". But dammit if I didn't keep hearing random supporters yelling "pikey", "wankers", "nina", "bog jumpers", and several other racially charged irish insults. Think these players were too far away to hear? Imagine the shock on the shouter's face when an Irish player turned and looked him in the eye. Now, does anyone think about what happens when we want Ireland to come back over and play us on our turf again? Do you think that when we want to have Wales, England or Scotland over they won't have heard about the language and attitude of supporters here?
Fortunately, these people are far far far in the minority. So no, I don't think it will matter in the long run grand scheme of things. And let me be clear, EVERY club, local, national, international, youth through old boys, has that one supporter who just won't shut up. That one loudmouth who uses the word fuck more than a, an or the. The one supporter that the players hear from the stands where they go - "oh god that guy". But that person, isn't the one I'm talking about.
I'm talking about the supporters who go too far. Who instead of yelling - "GO TEAM" for their guys--yell - "Fuck you n------s" to the other team. Yes, unfortunately I've heard that one from the stands...in Vegas...during 7s...shouted at the Eagles no less from a supporter in a different country's jersey. And yes I was on the pitch photographing at the time so if I heard it, you can bet the players it was directed at probably heard it too.
Here's my point - there's always going to be that small percentage of rugby supporters who find it easier to pick out a target, point a finger and say something negative, often racially toned, at the opposing team. But let's keep these guys in the weeds. Instead of turning our heads or going silent, let's be the supporters we are and get these guys shouting for their team instead of against the other. Let's truly support our clubs by supporting each other and making sure everyone is having fun and both teams are given proper respect - "OY mate! come on that's just too far. We as supporters are better than that. Rugby is better than that."
(Be like this guy!!!!)
I love supporters - in fact, let us be honest here - I am one. And when I am in supporter mode, I am the loudest & proudest bitch in the room. But even then I do my best not to go psycho on the other team. The word "supporter" means "someone who supports" NOT "someone who degrades the opposing team with racial slurs and horrific disregard for their mom's reputation".
Do those people hear themselves? I first noticed it at a Wales v South Africa match. Near me sat what appeared to be an average British bloke, a few pints heavier on the day. But pre-game, seemed as normal as the day is long. Then when the players took the field and the Boks anthem began, I heard "fuck you" in a voice that seemed to drown out the music. I didn't even know the guy and was several seats from him, but I was still embarrassed. The other Welsh supporters around me were embarrassed. From the faces of people who were working the event, who turned around from the pitch to glare in his direction, they were embarrassed too.
I cannot imagine being a player on a pitch and a supporter in my colors stands up and shouts like that at the opposing team during their anthem. Imagine if this was your kid's club game.
More recently this year, my beloved SMRC played another SoCal squad in an away game. (for the sake of clarity, I'll call them--That Other Team -TOTS) I've photographed TOTS squad before against other clubs, in fact they had someone who courted me to become a part of their family instead of SMRC. Nothing would make me want to be a part of the TOTS family after that game.
All the players were cordial enough, friendly to each other across both squads and the game started well. It was a HOT day and at some point the water guys for SMRC needed a little kick start getting their butts onto the field and the players yelled emphaticly more than once for "WATER!".
This became a sticking point for one TOTS supporter. She laid into a particularly loud player from the stands: "What's the matter #_? Is it too hot for you guys out there? Poor little players thirsty from getting your asses kicked? Maybe you should be water boy & your team might play better. Fuck you guys" She continued to call out this player's number and shout insults at him the rest of the game. Other supporters around her would either go silent or turn their heads as did coaches and other players on the sidelines. I was camera in hand and representing my team so no I did not turn and punch her in the mouth--also I was too far away. (Situation otherwise given the number she picked on.....) In fact, the only thing pointed out is her own issues and/or how bad her own team was that she couldn't find something positive to cheer them on about. But, SMRC did go ahead and win that match so put that in your karmic pipe and smoke it lady.
Nothing beats what I heard most recently from Eagles supporters in the stands of Houston. USA was behind most of the game and 99% of Eagles fans gave rousing shouts of "U.S.A." and "Let's Go Eagles". But dammit if I didn't keep hearing random supporters yelling "pikey", "wankers", "nina", "bog jumpers", and several other racially charged irish insults. Think these players were too far away to hear? Imagine the shock on the shouter's face when an Irish player turned and looked him in the eye. Now, does anyone think about what happens when we want Ireland to come back over and play us on our turf again? Do you think that when we want to have Wales, England or Scotland over they won't have heard about the language and attitude of supporters here?
Fortunately, these people are far far far in the minority. So no, I don't think it will matter in the long run grand scheme of things. And let me be clear, EVERY club, local, national, international, youth through old boys, has that one supporter who just won't shut up. That one loudmouth who uses the word fuck more than a, an or the. The one supporter that the players hear from the stands where they go - "oh god that guy". But that person, isn't the one I'm talking about.
I'm talking about the supporters who go too far. Who instead of yelling - "GO TEAM" for their guys--yell - "Fuck you n------s" to the other team. Yes, unfortunately I've heard that one from the stands...in Vegas...during 7s...shouted at the Eagles no less from a supporter in a different country's jersey. And yes I was on the pitch photographing at the time so if I heard it, you can bet the players it was directed at probably heard it too.
Here's my point - there's always going to be that small percentage of rugby supporters who find it easier to pick out a target, point a finger and say something negative, often racially toned, at the opposing team. But let's keep these guys in the weeds. Instead of turning our heads or going silent, let's be the supporters we are and get these guys shouting for their team instead of against the other. Let's truly support our clubs by supporting each other and making sure everyone is having fun and both teams are given proper respect - "OY mate! come on that's just too far. We as supporters are better than that. Rugby is better than that."
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