Quote: bramleyrhino "I'd tend to agree. If this were happening at the club I support, I'd be having serious concerns at the level of leadership within the club.
Yes, the club can't molly-coddle the players 24/7 and they have to be treated like adults (with all the responsibilities that come with that), but the leadership of the club can set standards of behaviour and reinforce those rights and responsibilities that come with being a professional athlete. If it's an education issue, the clubs need to lead on that. If it's a discipline issue, the clubs need to lead on that as well.
This is, after all, in their business interests. It is part of the image that they project to supporters and sponsors. What sort of brand wants to be associated with a sport where the "stars" (that we're so desperate to create) believe that drink driving and substance abuse is acceptable?
I can't help but feel that the press statements that come from Lenagan and Radlinski is somewhat at odds with the type of leadership that they're actually practising at the club.'"
Absolutely spot on.
There should be something in the contracts of professional sportsmen (and women) to cover behaviour and maintaining the clubs image etc, etc and equally there will be levels of internal discipline to cover these breeches.
As you rightly say, it comes down to leadership and from the players point of view, respect for the club and their team mates.
It may sound simple but, these guys are in a position that many can only dream of but, sadly, just as in football, they take their position for granted.
Also, looking at the bigger picture, what effect do the constant indiscretions by players (not just from Wigan), have on sponsors / investors.
Just how many businesses want to be associated with a sport which is so "troubled".
The only time that RL has made the national press in recent months is when players have mis-behaved and although it may seem a bit holier than thou, the whole sport needs to be better and certainly, Wigan, who are one of and maybe THE biggest name in the sport should be setting the bar just as high as possible, not trying to keep it in the gutter.
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But that just goes to emphasise your point. If English RL was under the same scrutiny as the NRL we wouldn't have any players. Lets face it, the sport isnt exactly played by intellectuals, things like this are going to happen unless the whole sport takes it seriously. Which im all for by the way, but it would have to be set up properly at the start of a season, not just a kneejerk to yet another player being stupid. More of a "these are the standards the sport expects you to uphold and these are the punishments." As with the salary cap, theres no set punishment by the sport, which is why each club is allowed to treat each incident as they wish. went on a tangent there. I dont have many RL friends to discuss these things with, so when i get going i ramble
