By Jamison Page
Radio host and comedian Marty Sheargold has been sacked from his job at Triple M and slammed for his comments about the Matildas following their recent performance at the SheBelieves Cup.
Despite their recent defeats in the US, the Matildas are still athletes that work hard. More importantly they’re still real people. Whether Sheargold’s remarks were intentional or not, they didn’t deserve the slander they were dished.
People need to understand that female athletes train just as hard as male athletes, so they deserve the same respect, not these misogynist ideals that are imposed on them for doing what they love.
An outburst followed Sheargold’s comments all over different media platforms, both against and in support of the comedian. Many describing the Matildas as “overhyped”.
But they’re not. Soccer was invented in 1863, but it wasn’t the norm for women to play until 1894, 31 years later. And even up to the last five to 10 years women’s sport in general wasn’t popular.
So no, it’s not overhyped, most people just never bothered to pay attention and now that women’s sport has made its appearance in society, people can’t handle it.
As more female athletes start gaining the traction they deserve, the world of female sports has reached a new level. That attention comes with a territory, a negative territory.
Parts of the sporting world are deeply rooted in misogynistic ideals, which is only influenced further by comments by people like Sheargold, who have the power to share their thoughts publicly and have weight to those words.
These words can influence and discourage young girls who want to pursue a career in professional sports.
A particular comment from Sheargold really stuck out: “You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls”
What about those Year 10 girls who have an undying passion for soccer, who were listening to him say these hateful words, essentially about them and the sport they play? Would he say that if he knew what it could do to young female athletes, would he say it straight to their face?
I don’t think so.
Hockeyroo Rosie Malone shared the same sentiment, saying on social media: “All I could think about was the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, maybe on the way to or from their own training sessions hearing this. I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused.”
Because people don’t understand that words can hurt and they can make you question yourself, your identity within the sport you love.
When you go into the media, you must know that your words have an impact, and you must know what comments not to make.
The only reason he apologised was because he got caught, hated on and sacked. But actions have consequences, and his ignorance won’t be ignored.
There is a line that you never cross. Marty Sheargold crossed it, and we ALL heard it.
Mistake or not, dragging female sports through the dirt will only drag you with it.
Watch your words. They make a difference.
Featured image: The Matildas are arguably Australia’s most loved sporting team. Photo: LittleBlinky/CC/Wikimedia Commons