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It’s supposed to be an activity that builds confidence, strengthens character and encourages social interaction. But the dangerous sub-culture behind team sports is hurting our players more than it helps them.
It’s a Tuesday, and Joshua hasn’t been home since Sunday morning. This weekend was grand final weekend for his Rugby Union club, and they’ve lost the game that matters. Instead of winding down with a beer and a few mates, he’s been partying non-stop for the last two days.
Mad Monday is a tradition amongst rugby clubs after the grand final where the players and coaches take the day off work and celebrate the season that was.
But it’s not just a day to be with friends and be social. It’s a day where antics are encouraged, alcohol is forced down your throat and drugs are circling the room. This illicit behaviour isn’t just encouraged – it’s expected.
Joshua has been playing club rugby union for the better part of his life. At 23, he’s been participating in Mad Monday for five years.
“It’s an excuse to drink. Everyone gets involved – players, coaches, senior management. It’s not just a few drinks at a pub with the boys. It’s organized by the coaches and staff who are encouraging you to participate.”
“It’s easy to lose control.”
The 10 reasons I’m glad I quit drinking.
And it’s not just happening in smaller clubs. The big leagues are notorious for bad behaviour on these Mad Mondays too. Look at any newspaper on the Tuesday after Grand Final weekend and you’ll see the headlines celebrating these raucous and often dangerous antics.
Top Comments
My boys have played rugby league for years. Neither of them drink or take drugs. They work hard on their fitness and choose what they will indulge in and at the end of the day, don't enjoy it. At the end of the day the individual needs to be responsible for what they put into their bodies. If you choose to use sport as a reason to have a drink so be it, but lets be realistic individuals need to take ownership of their actions. These days it appears to be everybody else's fault.
I started going on mad Mondays with my netball club when I was 16. I loved it - and mum agreed to let me take most of the day off as long as my grades didn't fall. My first one I went to school before recess and then went down to the first pub to meet my teammates. At no point did I feel pressured to do anything. I had a couple drinks, and even though I was offered more by the older girls I just said no. Absolutely no peer pressure to do anything. Again a similar thing happened when I was 17, except I took the whole day off school because we started earlier. I was the only peraon under 18 there and still had some of the best days and look so fondly on those days of relaxing after a long season. Even now that I am over 18 I have not felt pressured to fo anything. I think seeing this story from both sides is a good idea for this issue. Mad Monday isn't something evil!