CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
A heavily taped up tackle bag that has sat in an asbestos-riddled storage facility in a local junior rugby union club for 22 years isn’t being replaced any time soon, it has been confirmed.
This comes as Rugby Australia today agreed to settle out of court with the controversial fundamentalist Christian former Wallabies playmaker, Israel Folau.
Folau’s contract was terminated by Rugby Australia (RA) in May after he posted to social media that homosexuals, among others, would go to hell.
The evangelical propaganda was posted during a Waratahs bye round, when Folau was once again left to his own devices at his own father’s tax-free Church in Sydney’s Hills district.
He then took legal action against his employer, demanding $14 million in compensation and an apology for what he claimed was an unlawful dismissal.
On Thursday morning RA CEO Raelene Castle denied claims in the Daily Telegraph Folau had received an $8 million payout. Although rugby insiders are now claiming it was well over the $6 million mark.
Right across the country this news has been celebrated by Folau strong supporter base of creationist Christians, who obviously aren’t big supporters of rugby union.
As the waning code of rugby union continues to take knocks both on and off the field, this speculated pay-out, at the most, represents 13% of Rugby Australia’s $60 million broadcast rights for the last financial year.
This means that outside of the Brisbane and Sydney private school system, grassroots rugby union will remain wildly underresourced.
The Old Boys club that currently makes up Australian rugby’s strongest and most vocal supporter base are already blaming AFL for the lack of numbers in juniors.
Craig Craigerson, treasurer of the Betoota’s Muttaburrasaurus’s Junior Rugby Union Club, says he’s glad that Israel Folau’s right to tell gay kids they are going to hell has been upheld – but he hopes people realises this means junior kids are gonna be paying for their own bibs for the next few years.
“I’m happy that Izzy feels like he’s receiving what he’s entitled to… But I just think $6 million dollars could be spent much better on say, a few scrum machines” says Craig.
“Or maybe a few new tackle bags and witches hats”
“Or, you know, research into concussion trauma”
MORE TO COME.
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You can show your support for the Betoota Muttaburrasaurus’s Junior Rugby Union Club by picking up your very own Mutts Supporter shirts here: https://betootaoutfitters.com/collections/all/products/betoota-muttaburrasauruses-t-shirt
It’ll make a terrific Christmas present for someone. Up The Mutts!
