The Out on the Fields study has generated a lot of news publicity within New Zealand and internationally.
Radio NZ reported that “Labour MP Louisa Wall – a former national netball and rugby player – is urging the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to lead by example and adopt an anti-homophobia policy” in a story headlined Homophobia still rife in sport – study
In the same report “Jeremy Brankin, the captain of New Zealand’s only gay rugby team, the New Zealand Falcons, said he was not surprised by the study’s findings.”
The NZ Herald had three reports:
- Kiwis ‘most likely’ to hide sexuality
- Coming out of the sports closet
- Herald on Sunday editorial: Good keen blokes find coming out tough
Gaynz.com reported that “New Zealand Rugby says it’s in the early days of developing a diversity programme of its own, but backs an agreement between World Rugby and International Gay Rugby to educate and eliminate homophobia in the game.”
Newstalk ZB interviewed former All Black Andy Haden and reported he “believes perceived homophobia might just be a case of misunderstood bantering.” This and further comments were reported in Gaynz.com and Express.
More reports appear in Express and numerous other papers and on TV.