Manly pride jersey sells out despite NRL match boycott by some players

Manly coach Des Hasler has apologised on behalf of the club for the “poor” execution of its decision to unveil a pride jersey as part of an inclusivity initiative which has resulted in a boycott of up to seven players.

In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Hasler said the one-off design was intended to “represent diversity and inclusion for all” but was done with “little consultation or collaboration with key stakeholders”.

Despite that, he confirmed the team would wear the rainbow jersey, announced on Sunday night, in Thursday night’s clash with the Sydney Roosters.

Religious and cultural differences are believed to be partly behind the players’ stance, with a lack of consultation also causing unrest among the group, who only learned of the new strip design via social media on Sunday night.

On Tuesday, Hasler said none of the coaching staff nor the players had prior knowledge of the jersey and that he felt for the seven players in question.

“They are not wearing the jersey as it conflict with their cultural and religious beliefs. And I am concerned for their welfare,” he said. “Their spirituality is a central part of their well being. The club has made an error from which it will learn. The players will not lay on Thursday and we accept their decision.

“These young men are strong in their beliefs and convictions. We’ll give them space. And the support they require. The playing group are solid and understanding of each other’s views. As a club, we will wear the jersey on Thursday night.”

Hasler also apologised to all stakeholders of the game, both within and outside of the Sea Eagles.

“The intent of the rainbow colour application of our jersey was to represent diversity and inclusion for all, utilising the symbolic colours of pride to embrace all groups who feel marginalised and faced discrimination and have a suppressed share of voice,” Hasler said.

“The jersey intent was to support the advocacy and human rights pertaining to gender, race culture, ability and LGBTQ rights. Sadly, the execution of what was intended to be an extremely important and initiative was poor.

“There was little consultation or collaboration with key stakeholder, both inside and outside the club. Sadly, this poor management … has caused significant confusion, discomfort and pain for many people. In particular, those groups whose human rights we were, in fact, attempting to support.

“We have even adversely affected our player group, a wonderful group of people comprising of many different racial and cultural backgrounds. We wish to sincerely apologise for the mistakes we have made.”

Speaking at the launch of the NRL’s Women in League round on Tuesday morning, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys insisted the game was an inclusive sport, but said he also respected the Manly players’ stance.

“In my view we’re all human beings,” V’Landys said. “It doesn’t matter what colour we are, what race we are, what religion we are. We may have our differences and we may have different beliefs but at the end of the day we are all human beings and we should respect that.

“However, I do respect the Manly players’ right [to] freedom. They’ve got every right to withdraw their services if they wish to do so.”

V’landys was himself unaware of the initiative until Monday and he said Manly could have handled the situation better.

“They could have been a lot more collaborative with the players,” he told reporters. “They shouldn’t have sprung it on the players.”

After the group of players aired their views on the design, an emergency meeting of Sea Eagles management was held on Monday night, when the request to wear the “Everyone in League” shirt was reiterated.

By Monday night, the jersey had sold out on the club’s online store in all men’s and women’s sizes, with only junior versions of the strip available.

Manly are the only club to wear a pride jersey this week, becoming the first team in the 114-year history of the competition to wear such a design.

Earlier this year, AFLW player Haneen Zreika chose to miss Pride round rather than wear Greater Western Sydney’s pride uniform, citing religious beliefs.

The minister for government services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten, said it was a “great shame” and the situation was a “trainwreck” that should never have got to this point.