Abstract
Polynesian men make up close to 50% of the current top tier National Rugby League (NRL) playing contracts and this number continues to climb. While rugby league is seen as an attractive job prospect for young Polynesian men in pursuit of a career in the NRL they will, more often than not, need to relocate (either internationally or interstate) in order to achieve their aspirations. The dream job requires them to become separated from their whānau/aiga (families). The expectation of professional sporting organisations is that athletes must assimilate to the broader expectations of the professional sporting world, rather than the organisation pivoting to accommodate the athlete. But this approach denies the cultural backgrounds of Polynesian players and the need for a connection to family and wider Polynesian communities. With a wealth of literature on the wellbeing impacts of athletes who relocate for sporting careers, we seek to close some gaps by illuminating the wellbeing impacts on the families who support them to succeed. Using distinctly Polynesian research methodologies, this paper shares the stories of Polynesian families who have supported their children in pursuit of a professional rugby league dream, only to be forced to watch the journey from afar.
Presenters
Phillip John BorellSenior Lecturer, Aotahi: School of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Sporting Cultures and Identities
KEYWORDS
Culture, Wellbeing, Family, Polynesian, Community
