From: psgjf@gamgee.cc.flinders.edu.au (<G.J.Fraser>)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.soccer
Subject: Re: Australia: name changes enforced?
Date: 9 Sep 92 07:59:50 GMT
Organization: Flinders University

In article <1992Sep8.235756.22466@ucc.su.OZ.AU> thomase@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (Thomas Esamie) writes:
>
>	Hi Karel,
>		I just read your article and I don't know if anyone's replied
>already but here goes...
>		Yes the ASF has asked for ethnic names to be removed from the
>titles of soccer clubs. The rationale being that in a country where soccer,
>though gaining in popularity, is seen by the population as a whole as a 
>foreigners sport. The names of foreign places being associated with the clubs
>only exacerbates the situation. If you were an Australian sports goer would
>you rather support a team called the Penrith Panthers or Melbourne Croatia?
>(Yes I know Penrith is also the name of an English town, but there is nothing
>called Croatia in Australia, so there is no local identity for the team)
>	There is also another consideration in that ethnic names attract ethnic
>grievances. Anyone who has heard of the disgraceful riot between the supporters
>(and some players) of serbian and croatian affiliated teams will know what I 
>mean. I believe the ASF is right here but the teams targeted for termination
>have asked that the names of Sydney Olympic, and another team (I forget which)
>be changed as well. This is the main stumbling block, although the teams 
>involved may just be looking complicate matters to avoid a name change.
>	Just another little story which comes to mindis one where after a
>training session of the socceroos (in adelaide from memory) some youngsters
>came with a ball which they asked the players to sign. Nothing but healthy
>respect and admiration for a great Aussie team so far. However when the ball
>came to some players of croatian heritage, who began to sign it, the boys
>asked for the ball back and began to rub off the offending mark, while walking
>away. Incensed one member of the squad yelled out "We're all Aussies here 
>mate!" only to receive the one-finger salute. They breed them young here.
>	I hope this makes things a little clearer.

The incident occurred in Adelaide in relation to one of the three games
Australia played against the touring Croatian side.  It appears the
majority of the crowd were of Croatian descent or Croatian supporters,
it was almost as if Australia were th away team!  It was like this in
Melbourne and Sydney at the other two games as well!  Either before or
after the match the children were getting autographs from the Socceroos
on soccer balls, and refused the signatures of two Australian players
of Serbian descent.  I think one might have been Ned Zelic.

Unfortunately incidents like this do occur in Australia. Next to Israel,
Australia is the most multicultural society in the world, but a lot of
minorities tend to stick to their own groups, rather than think of
themselves as Australians with a different heritage.  There is an amount
of ethnic-bashing (mostly figuratively) by 'White' Australians, but there
is also prejudice in the reverse direction.  Hopefully the situation
will change.  Although it may appear to be callous, the situation may
not improve until most of the older generation die out, and the people
born in Australia are the leaders of these communities.

Here's hoping that the situation changes, and that the name-changing
of the soccer clubs is successful.


>P.S. Still waiting on player Nos.6,15,28,38 and 51 for tips. Get 'em in quick!
>
>			Thomas the Tank Engine
>			aka Algor
>+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
>|                                      |'See the blind man on the street     |
>| Email : thomase@extro.ucc.su.oz.au   |      looking for something free,    |
>|    or   ak586@cleveland.freenet.edu  | hear the conman ask his friends     |
>|                                      |      "Hey, what's in it for me?"'   |
>|                                      |        - RB Scott "Dog eat dog" 1977|
>+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
Cheers, Geoff.
-- 
Geoff Fraser, School of Psychology| AARNet        : psgjf@cc.flinders.edu.au
Flinders University, GPO Box 2100,| Phone (Int.)  : 61-8-2012469
Adelaide, 5001, Australia         | Phone (Aust.) :   08-2012469
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