It is true that sport has been a great redeemer for many. A teacher of life skills, a healthy outlet, a place to practise self-discipline. It would be easier to believe in rugby’s power for change if they chose to wield it more freely. Not just for the talented individual but for our society’s greater good. They could perhaps start by mentioning violence against women outside of the press conference called after rugby’s latest incident.
Two years ago, Alice Snedden raised with Mark Robinson the idea of an All Black-fronted anti-domestic violence campaign. She challenged him on the way New Zealand Rugby has treated women. Robinson told her to check in with him, within five years, to discuss progress. He’ll be able to report that New Zealand Rugby has since elected a woman as chair of its board and finally reached the 40 per cent gender representation quota. Robinson can also tell her that the All Blacks quickly recalled a player after an apologetic court appearance over an act of violence against a woman.
We know that people are in part products of their environments. Imagine, then, if New Zealand Rugby’s highest-performing ones had zero tolerance towards violence against women. If New Zealand Rugby chose to reckon with the true transformative power of its black jersey, beyond the select few who are lucky enough to wear it.
None of us are entirely good or entirely bad. The best we can hope for is to attempt to move through the world without causing harm. If we do, though, we must name and own our actions. Lay bare our failings, our attempts at atonement and face the inevitable consequence to uphold the social contract.
Rugby contracts should never help people sidestep this process. If they do, none of us will ever truly be redeemed.