JVseven
Club Legend
- Feb 19, 2016
- 2,774
- 5,150
- AFL Club
- Melbourne
- Banned
- #26
Best person for the job, whomever that may be. Go away now.Thought it'd be fitting to discuss this on Indigenous round.
What is a Rooney Rule?
Although Indigenous Aboriginals are only 2% of the total Australian population, they represent 10% of AFL players. Fremantle just sided a team with record 8 Indigenous players.
But when we look at the demographics in the coaching ranks, we get a much different outlook...
The intention/purpose behind a 'Rooney Rule' is simple.
CLARITY: It is NOT a QUOTA. (PLEASE READ THIS AGAIN)
A 'Rooney Rule' is aimed to give disenfranchised and underprivileged minorities equal opportunity and footing, specifically in the coaching ranks. It's an approach utilized to sour the blow of historical racism, discrimination and prejudice. In America, historically African-Americans were both ostracized and ignored by sporting leagues for various reasons ranging from Jim Crow laws, to more basic prejudices like income inequality.
In South Africa, the Springboks have a current directive that's similar in intention to a "Rooney Rule", but aimed at racial player demographics, and is much more extreme being a quota system. This is not a "Rooney Rule", but it's intent is similar... Counteract historical demographic injustices and discrimination.
The discussion of this topic specifically in regards to the AFL is not new. Indigenous AFL Champion Chris Johnson had this to say about the idea;
CLARITY: It is NOT a QUOTA. (PLEASE READ THIS AGAIN)