Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester says his players wanted more knowledge about the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement before deciding to take the knee prior to Super League matches.

Trinity’s players remained standing together while Wigan’s players took part in the symbolic act that shows support for the movement.

When asked about his team’s decision to stand, Chester explained: “We had a chat during the week; we were led by the captain (Jacob Miller) and we just felt that as a group we needed some education on what the Black Lives Matter movement is.

“That’s the reason we came up with what we did. I’ve been in dialogue with Alex Simmonds quite a bit over the last couple of days and we just felt we needed a bit more education on what it was about.

“It’s a decision supported by myself as a coach, (CEO) Michael Carter and the rest of the people at the club.”

Before the game, Wakefield released a statement saying that the club does not tolerate racism.

“Everyone at Wakefield Trinity fully supports all measures and messages devoted to improving equality, diversity and inclusion, and we will confront racism, not only in Rugby League but in society,” it said.

“How the players show that support before today’s match is down to personal choice. They should not be vilified for that personal choice.

“Wakefield Trinity endorses the important message that black lives matter. For us, this is about people, not politics

“The club will not tolerate any racism within its ranks, and the board, players and staff are totally united on that.”

I think the club/players have got this right. Well done to them all.

I've opened Dunkirk's post again so that it can be discussed. It should really be in the Politics, Covid and other stuff thread but as this is very much connected to Wakefield Trinity I might as well keep it separate.

To be clear, these are the rules of engagement....
[uAllowed[/u
Civil discussion about BLM, the Wakefield players actions at the Wigan game, and racism in rugby league

[uNot Allowed[/u
Sharing racist material
Calling another user racist
Making accusations that a particular club, player, owner, manager, mascot is racist or that a clubs supporters are racist
Personal comments about other posters

and please adhere to all the other AUP guidance.

If there is anything posted that concerns you, by all means hit the "Report" button and I'll take a look.

Well done PT.

Here's my slant on it as I said on the OT thread.......



So. if the players decided that - then as a person who has suffered from racism throughout my life by people from all walks of life, then that is fine by me and I totally support them and the club.

What I don't agree with is people who choose not to take the knee automatically being deemed racist or told to "educate themselves". It's not mandatory behaviour. I applaud wakefield's free thought.

Thank you PT. Can you tell me who, Alex Simmonds is, is he connected with Trinity, or the RFL/SL.

He's not officially linked to the RFL/SL as far as I know. He's just a media presenter/reporter.

It’s very simple, if you don’t call people racist or gammons you won’t have an issue. Clearly I’m delighted by what happened in fact I’ve never been prouder of my club. That said I get why others may have preferred we took the knee whilst others may feel uneasy that we have politicised the club even more than had we taken the knee.

It’s all about choice and POV until people start branding other people. Yes I know I’m guilty of it too an extent but only in response.

It’s also ludicrous, how does anyone posting on here know if someone is black? I mean in fairness they probably know I’m not but my wife might be.

For the record I’m a WASP.

However I am repulsed by the slave trade in all its forms throughout human history and although colonialism wasn’t all bad it’s a better world without it.

I’m not racist but I don’t agree with re-writing history and I believe BLM to be ghetto politics and identical to the EDL. That may not have been the original aim but it’s definitely been hijacked.

That is why I didn’t want us to bend the knee in what is now a meaningless gesture. I no more want us to support there aims than us to invite Tommy Robinson to a home game.

Sport can’t avoiding politics but it can avoid becoming political. That gesture by. 17 brave men should go down in history, it won’t because it doesn’t suit the current woke narrative that has infected the media.

I can’t find a single mention of it anywhere on mainstream media, I know RL is a small sport but all the same o find that a bit odd.

Just as people should be free not to take a knee, people should be free to take one and I do wonder to what degree Wakefield's approach was in response to, say, a determined expression of the views of club management - I find it hard to believe that nobody in the squad would choose to do it given a fully free choice.

It wasn't, and the implication is not fair.
The message from the club is that it was a decision from the whole group.
Wakefield have been clear that they are an equal opportunities club.

I don't see the big deal to be honest.
Some have decided that taking a knee is their way of drawing attention to BLM. It isn't the only way. Wakefield are doing it in a different way.

Reece Lyne has commented https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news ... rs-2937505

Reece Lyne has commented https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news ... rs-2937505

To me it is a bigger statement then mindlessly kneeling for fear of been called a racist. The unity on show between men of varying races and nationalities is a far more positive image to portray. Idiots may have jumped on it but that is their problem. It's clear what the squad were trying to do. I hadnt realised Fifita had kneeled so clearly had any of the other squad members wished to they were free to do so.

The team should be applauded for showing solidarity against racism in the way they thought was best. Equally, I had no issue if they did take the knee.

I can see why people might take their approach the wrong way though, especially when Wigan were kneeling.