Rugby Football Team 1911-1912

Illuminated address concerning footballer’s behaviour

Men Behaving Badly

Badly behaved sports stars are big news these days, said to be a symptom of our celebrity culture. However, pressure on sportsmen has always been there. After the 1911–12 rugby league Kangaroo Tour of England had returned to Australia, its players thanked their manager, Charles H. Ford, noting that ‘We, as you know, are all young men, subject to the temptations and to the discontent which usually falls to the lot of such touring parties. A great amount of tact and hard work was therefore necessary to prevent these getting the upper hand, which, had they done so, would have assuredly brought discredit to our team and country.’ His firm management of them had in fact brought credit to ‘their native land’.
Display item Rugby Football Team 1911-1912

 

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