‘Educate yourself’: Jillaroos smack down flag critics
The debate around Jillaroos players opting to wear an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flag, or to not sing the Australian anthem, is not bothering the team one bit.
Criticism has come from a small faction around Australia’s pre-game actions, with some questioning why players are proud to wear the jersey but not sing the national anthem.
Members of Australia walk onto the field wearing the three flags. Getty Images
Coach Jess Skinner took the chance to smack down the haters after the Jillaroos beat Wales 124-6 on Sunday.
“They are our national flags, it’s as simple as that,” she told reporters.
“We’re the Australian team. We’re proud to play for our country. That’s it.”
Skinner’s playing group did not change their stance when they took to the field on Sunday, with a number of players opting not to sing the anthem while standing arm in arm with their teammates.
Olivia Kernick is one of the stars being criticised by social media trolls, but their comments have not swayed her to sing the anthem, nor have they stopped her from wearing the Torres Strait Islander flag on her back before the side thrashed Wales at CommBank Stadium.
Skinner, a proud Aboriginal and Maori woman, supports her players’ choices.
“All three flags have separate meanings for our country. We’re a diverse country, there are many different cultures,” she continued.
“Our team in particular is 23 (players) and our staff all come from different walks of life and cultural backgrounds, we celebrate that diversity.
“If you educate yourself about those flags you can’t help but to be passionate to be a proud Australian.”
Tarryn Aiken reiterated to reporters, including nine.com.au, that the noise is not affecting the team one bit, as the players know their values.
“We know what we stand for as a team and what we represent,” the star playmaker, who won a premiership with the Roosters this season, said.
Isabelle Kelly of Australia walks onto the field. Getty Images
“We’re just proud to go out there and do that.”
Skinner shared a similar message about the topic.
“For us, we are here to win a World Cup and play footy,” the star coach said.
“We let our footy do the speaking for us. We’re pretty focused and tight-knit. We do a job and then focus on the next job.”
