Pacific Islander Rugby Players 'milked- dry' by super-power rugby nations!!!
Pacific Islander Rugby Players milked dry by Powerful Governing Nations
International Lawyers, Forums and organisations such as the ISSF (International Sports Sciences Forum) which is globally interconnected with the sports sciences experts:
a) DO CARE, and b) HAVE A LOT TO CONTRIBUTE in this on-going perennial conversation.
From the first time I played with Argentina vs New Zealand in 1979, there were a number of Melanesian, Polynesian Micronesian and...(local) MAORIES also interspersed between provincial and national teams (All Blacks and Maori All Blacks). This convenient trend has been increasing over the last 25 years, becoming a big 'business' and/or 'investment' (on blood stocks!) Yes, believe it or not, a bit like Argentine polo horses and artificial insemination! Mmm bettering 'bloodlines' is a pretty old and lucrative profession for veterinarians. In rugby and other sports also, the equivalent would be the Player & Coach Agents and Managers. Merchandising and Profiteering with human slaves was a humongous business of the several empires controlling the waterways (five oceans) to reach the African, Indian, Filipino, and Pacific Nations TO HARVEST human labour, destined to the whole world.
So, may I say, more of the same in 2020? Really? 21st Century Slavery and Exploitation? YEP-YEP.
Therefore, I ask the well-educated classes of Oxford, Cambridge, and many other universities (Queensland, Sydney, etc.) Is this the fair go and fair play Baron Pierre de Coubertin talked about and professed? How does 'Equality of Opportunities' get manifested in popularly massive sports?
Does the Rugby Aristocracy from World Rugby (Dublin) down to Rugby Australia really care about those spent-and-spat players who retired prematurely with wear and tear of premature disabilities?
Do the National Administration bodies of the different sports keep records of the 'attrition rates' (Concussion, Chronic Depression, Bipolar disorders, Dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)?
Ladies & Gentlemen, I do care and I not only talk and write but I DO! - Incidentally, in March 2020, I founded the ISSF (International Sports Sciences Forum) currently in the formulation. The ISSF's motto/mission is:
"Safety first...money second-last"
Sportswomen athletes 2020, are severely handicapped in these areas! In general, they are NOT equally treated (decision making and funding wise). I have for the last 12 months, and I continue doing everything in my power to help and empower them, to turn the odds in their favour. Women's Sports MUST BE AUTONOMOUS AND RUN INDEPENDENTLY BY WOMEN ONLY TO START WITH (of course it must be done with good communication with any other gender, like at home!) - Furthermore, like in tennis, all sports must be adapted to the intrinsic abilities and limitations of those practising them.
At the ISSF, we advocate for ALL YOUNG ATHLETES AND THEIR PARENTS, that before signing a short, medium or long term contract? They need to know and be fully briefed about the following vital points.
1. Career Management Plans, including studies between 18 yo and 23 yo!
2. Estimated earnings and likely costs with contingencies built-in for a long term career, yet with a well-weighed possibility of early-career truncation by injuries and/or catastrophic accidents)
3. Documented information on the incidence of a) spinal injuries; b) joints wear and tear; c) Affective Disorders (depression, bipolar disorders, etc.); d) Dementia; e) Suicide and others.
4. Insurance cover, shared between the athlete, manager/agent and administration of the relevant sport.
5. The administrators, insurance companies and Lawyers would want to be well informed for the likelihood of a Class-Act or individual court case for negligence, malpractice, lacking duty of care, or others.
In today's world, ignorance is not bliss, and ineptitude has no excuse or reason in the eyes of The Law.
Yes...GUILTY YOUR HONOUR!
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez Founder and Convener, ISSF - International Sports Sciences Forum PO Box 4131, Carlton NSW 2218 Australia E: [email protected]