Parliamentary Speeches
Launch of the Rugby Union Player Assocaition Foundation and Community Code
19 Sep 2008- ARU Chairman, Peter McGrath
- ARU CEO, John O'Neill
- RUPA Chief Executive Officer, Tony Dempsey
- RUPA President, Rod Kafer
- Wallaby Captain and RUPA Ambassador, Stirling Mortlock
- Representatives of Ovarian Cancer Australia, Australian Conservation Foundation and The Smith Family
- Distinguished guests from the Australian rugby community
Good morning ladies and gentlemen and thank you for welcoming me here today as part of the launch of the Rugby Union Player Association Foundation and Community Code.
As you're all no doubt aware, Australian sportspeople receive close media scrutiny. This is certainly the case for Australian footballers of every code.
Players who act inappropriately are heavily criticised by the media and general public alike
On the flip side of the coin, sportspeople who engage with the community and help those less fortunate than themselves can have a meaningful and positive impact on people's lives.
While good news doesn't make front page news, players who use their profile for the greater good can also elevate the standing of their sport - and the standing of Australian sport generally - in the public's eye - and must be celebrated.
I am firmly of the belief that sport is a very powerful tool, both on and off the field, and elite sportspeople are responsible for how they use it.
Rugby players are superheroes to many Australians.
With this in mind, today's announcement will have a significant impact on our community, particularly on young rugby union players and supporters. These young people...the future Stirling Mortlocks...have ideal role models that they can base themselves on, both on and off the field.
On behalf of the Government, I'm pleased to see that Australia's elite rugby union players have taken this stance and have committed to using their profile to make a positive difference in the community... it really is a wonderful initiative.
However, can I say that even before this code was developed, the majority of elite rugby union players were already active contributors to the community, including to charity and were setting fine examples in our community.
People like Stirling Mortlock and George Smith have dedicated a lot of their time and memorabilia - George even donated his hair - to charity
Today's announcement of the RUPA Foundation and the Community Code merely formalises and extends the wonderful work already being done by our elite rugby players.
The RUPA Foundation has selected three worthwhile initiatives for the players to actively contribute to -
- the fight against ovarian cancer,
- protecting our natural resources through the Australian Conservation Foundation, and
- helping the Smith Family which assists thousands of disadvantaged people every year.
We all focus so much on those few who set bad examples who dont utilise the powerful position that they hold within our community as sporting heroes and therefore powerful role models - it is fantastic to shine a spotlight on those who do harness this power.
Thank you to the Rugby Union Players Association for your work on this wonderful initiative, as well as the players who have once again proven they are terrific ambassadors for Australian sports.
Congratulations!