Siren 38: AFLW Draft, Lois Quarrell, By The White Line Diaries & more
A Women in Sport Collective
We will speak. We will act.
This is the motto of the San Diego Loyal USL team.
Last week that team walked off the pitch in the middle of their match against Phoenix Rising FC when action wasn’t taken against a player who used a homophobic slur against Collin Martin who has been open about his sexuality.
Owner/Manager Landon Donovan said after the game:
“If we want to be true to who we are as a club, we have to speak, we have to act.
So after half time we all decided that if the player that used the homopobic slur was not removed from the game, either through the officials or through their coach, that we were not going to play because if they’re not willing to act, we have to act. We have no choice.”
This was a game that mattered, if you want to use that term to define a game that had everything on the line that we’re told matters in sport. A playoff spot, an opportunity to progress, a chance to continue on towards victory. But San Diego showed us what matters more.
Donovan was clear that this match was important for the club, that the players had full awareness that taking this stand would effectively end their chances:
“They were very clear in that moment that they were giving up all hopes of making the playoffs, even though they were beating one of the best teams in the league, handedly, but they said, ‘it doesn’t matter, there’s things more important in life and we have to stick up for what we believe in’, and so they made the decision to walk off and I have tremendous pride in this group and I’m really proud of this organisation I get to be a part of.”
It’s something that will be remembered. These moments endure more than the boxscore ever will. And we need more of them.
We can also play our role and speak and act wherever we can to show behaviours that don’t belong in sport, or in any part of our society, the red card.
It’s hard work. It’s scary. And it might be easier to continue to play the game like it doesn't matter. But it matters. More than most of us probably know.
We Will Speak. We Will Act.
In this issue
Kirby Fenwick shares another edition of her History Makers series, this one about pioneering women’s sports journalist Lois Quarrell. Rachel Bach is back with another entry to her By The White Line Diaries and Gemma Bastiani previews tonight’s AFLW Draft with ten players to watch for.
History makers: Lois Quarrell and the women’s sport pages
By Kirby Fenwick
In a career that spanned 34 years, South Australian sports writer Lois Quarrell was a pioneer. A meticulous reporter, a passionate advocate, a champion administrator.
AFLW Draft: 10 Players to Watch
By Gemma Bastiani
Teah Charlton is one of the top prospects ahead of the 2020 AFLW draft. Image: SANFLW
After a frantic trade and sign period, clubs will look to finalise their 2021 lists at tonight’s AFLW draft. Richmond holds the number one selection.
How one photo summed up my World Cup experience
By Rachel Bach / By The White Line
Image: Rachel Bach / By The White Line
In the latest By The White Line Diaries, Rachel takes us to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the moment that defined her experience.
In what was a huge weekend of women’s sport, the Melbourne Vixens are through to the Super Netball grand final after a 16 goal win over Sunshine Coast Lightning. Based on their huge season, we can’t wait to see what the minor premiers bring to the final showdown!
We’re sending a big congratulations to Gen Simmons, who has been elected as the new president of the Women Sport Australia Board.
White Ferns cricketer Jess Kerr recounts the ongoing health hurdles she faced on her journey to elite cricket. Jess’ story is truly one of enormous resilience and passion for all things sport—we can’t recommend this piece by Jess Kerr enough.
In massive news, eight different codes have introduced policies supporting the inclusion of trans and gender diverse athletes in their sports. This is a history-making decision and a huge step in the right direction to creating safe and inclusive environments for gender diverse athletes in Australia. Here’s hoping the momentum continues to build and sport truly becomes a place for everyone.
We were so saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Australian lacrosse legend Sue Sofarn. Sue made huge contributions to women’s lacrosse over her lifetime and will forever be remembered as the talented and hardworking sporting legend that she was.
Our very own Danielle Warby continues to build on this fantastic list of women in sport podcasts for your listening pleasure, including the recent addition of Softball Insider. You know what to do!
We are loving all of the women in sports leadership announcements happening of late! In a first for Football Queensland, Paula Robinson has been elected as a Board Director. Better late than never (but more of this, please!).
Samantha Lewis wrote this brilliant piece on new head coach of the Matildas Tony Gustavsson and the effect he has had on the game.
Whew, what a way to kick off the NRLW season! Bronco’s star fullback Tamika Upton made herself known early into the game after scoring a hat trick in the first half, and we were all the way here for it. Bring on Round Two this weekend!
The Aussies have done it again thanks to Meg Lanning’s epic century, securing the Rose Bowl trophy for the ODI series against New Zealand. Having bagged their 20th straight win, fingers crossed they can back it up on Wednesday and make history by matching the ODI record set by the 2003 men’s team!
It might not have been a game winning tactic, but we’re here for women lifting each other up, literally!
Runner up
We don’t know what’s funnier, Molly Strano complaining about the New South Welsh-women in the Queensland cricket hub or Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry laughing as they reminisce about Ash Gardner’s fielding failure in England. So they both get a run this week!
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