What Is A Player's Behavior Outside Of Sports

A player’s behavior outside of sport is a highly debated topic, one filled with controversy and different opinions. Although they are just regular people outside of their work, some believe they should be held more accountable for their actions, which I believe in. As Australia loves their sport athletes, they praised and put on a higher pedestal than just the regular person. In this presentation I will be discussing why sportsmen should be held more accountable for their actions, the issues of behavior in society and the different perspectives of this topic.

The issues associated with player behavior include abuse and violence and their treatment outside their sport in relation to society. The pace of athletes getting arrested and in trouble
with the police is increasing rapidly. This also raises the issue that is the physicality of the sport leading them to acting like that outside their sport. Furthermore, Athletes are treated better than the rest of society, committing indecent crimes and getting a less severe punishment than the rest of society posing an issue in society that just because they are famous means they don't abide by the same rules. There are unfortunately many examples of poor player behaviour. One such example is Greg Bird, rugby league all-star and Australian player. Greg Bird was arrested for glassing his girlfriend, urinating on a police car and alcohol abuse. In today’s society, there are too many examples of these types of stories, professional sportsman’s behaving inappropriately. Media plays a role in exposing these players behaviour, as off field exploits are regularly reported in the media.

A player’s indecent behaviour affects a lot of stakeholders such as the fans, their clubs, the sports in general and themselves most of all.
Sports clubs and the sport itself are significantly affected by the player’s behaviour as they are a physical representation of the club. A players club has a code of conduct the players must abide to, and if which they do not follow it, it could have brought the game into disrepute. These clubs will be under pressure from fans and the media to deal with the issue, putting unwanted stress on the club. Players can also severally effect the reputation of a sport because if a player behaves badly outside a sport, that sport could be seen as a sport that produces that type of player due to the nature of the sport, harming its future in Australia. Another stakeholder that is significantly involved in the issue of player behaviour is the fan, especially younger fans that look up to the players. Young children look up to famous athletes, mirroring the examples set by the stars on and off the field. 39% of teens believe that stardom carries with it certain “perks”, such as those famous athletes get special treatment if they break the law (A National Survey of Kids About Famous Athletes as Role Models, (2015). Is this the attitude we want the new generation to have? Our athletes should be leading clean path for the next generation of athletes. Additionally, a player’s behaviour affects the athlete, putting him or her in a bad position, by both
in the eyes in the public and also related to endorsements, as the company’s will not want to be associated with the player.

To explore both perspectives, some believe that sportsman’s should not be held responsible more than others for their actions outside their work.
There is a debate about the extent to which these athletes should act like role models. They believe that sportsman’s should not have to be 24/7 role models in the eyes of society. They also argue that they should only be exemplary in things that relate to sport, not also their lifestyle. They say professional athlete’s behaviour should not be expected of higher standard and less precisely evaluated, was it is not fair as they are just normal
people.

I believe elite sportsmen should be responsible for a higher level of standards than any other person of society as they are in the eyes of the public, meaning they must uphold a level of decency and reputation their club requires of them. These athletes apart of the NRL, AFL, Rugby union tennis etc, are paid a significant amount of money to present an image of commitment to their particular sport. Due to their reputation and involvement in the games, many children look up to them, viewing them as role models and even heroes. I also think that clubs should be upholding tougher consequences for their actions. Whatever happened to the Aussie Way? This was one of the nation’s greatest gifts in the world, highlighting a sporting culture of decency and respect while being the best players in the world. I believe that it is reasonable and acceptable for sportspeople to be held more accountable for their behaviour outside of their sport.

In conclusion, the question, “Why sportspeople should be held more accountable for their behaviour outside of ‘their work’ than any other person?” poses a great debate. A player’s behaviour affects many stakeholders and unfortunately are too many examples of this in Australia. I believe that as Australians we should expect respectful athletes who are role models and held for higher responsibility if they act badly.