South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker didn’t hear the racial abuse directed at him two weeks ago, but its impact was profound. It led to heart-wrenching conversations with his young children and reinforced his belief that societal issues outweigh those within the game.
Walker and his teammate Latrell Mitchell were reportedly abused during the round 10 match against the Dragons, leading the NRL to ban two spectators indefinitely, just a year after Mitchell faced similar abuse at a game in Penrith.
As the NRL prepares to celebrate Indigenous Round this week, there’s recognition of the efforts to honor Indigenous culture and history, but also an acknowledgment that more needs to be done to combat racism. “It’s obvious that it’s still there,” Walker said when questioned about racism in the sport.
“I have to be careful with what I say. Although I didn’t hear the words, their impact is undeniable. I had to have tough conversations with my sons, who are just 10 and 12, about the hateful remarks from fans. Even though I wasn’t present, the hurt remains, and it’s devastating for my boys at such a young age. There’s a bigger issue in society than in the game, in my opinion, and something must be done about it. I hope the NRL is doing all it can to support the eradication of racism moving forward.”
Walker acknowledged that, despite a growing understanding of the past, Australia still has a long way to go in learning about its history. He stressed the importance of teaching children from a young age about the country’s history, despite the difficult nature of those conversations.
“Currently, we have supporters eager to learn more, so it’s crucial that we educate them from a young age to ensure better futures and a deeper understanding of our history,” he said. “While it’s heartbreaking and sad to confront what’s happened, we cannot shy away from it. We must educate ourselves about it. It’s great to see these lessons being incorporated into schools, and I hope this progress continues and improves in the years ahead.”
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