Debo
rah Malcolm
On Saturday night I was in the crowd at the Lingerie Football League game at All Phones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.
I’m a former athlete. I have coached a number of sports including soccer. I made it to the Youth National Trials back home in England (until I did something stupid involving a bucket of soapy water, some friends who were not unknown to law enforcement, and a moving car, which ended my short lived career. But that’s another story).
A friend, who is a triathlete, agreed to come with me. We both follow sport. She didn’t make it to half time. As a serious athlete, she couldn’t handle the degrading treatment of women under the guise of ‘sport’. She asked her boyfriend – also an athlete – to come and get her. He commented: “I think men don’t go there for the sport the same as men don’t go to a strip club to see a good dancer.”
I stayed on to be able to report to my Collective Shout colleagues – and anyone else who cared – what took place that night. But it wasn’t easy.
There were many low points. Probably the worst:
• A player’s lingerie bottoms fall down (not entirely unpredictable, it’s what the mostly male crowd seemed to be hoping for). They go wild. The scene is then replayed on the large screen for their viewing pleasure. A man standing next to me says “This is the perfect sport!”
• The MC invites men to stand and be selected in the ‘Chase and tackle the girl contest’ to come onto the field and ‘tackle’ a real LFL player. Men stand and cheer, pointing at themselves while others fist pump the air. Three are chosen. The female player is brought to the ground. I wonder what protection the players have against sexual harassment and inappropriate touching. And what would happen if she were injured, given players have to sign a waiver of compensation form.
• A blow up doll is passed around near me. One man simulated oral sex as others laugh. Men pass the prized doll along until someone throws it into the VIP area, where an attendant confiscates it. The crowd boos.
• Some men opposite me make a stack with their beer cups. I have seen this done before. What I have never seen at any sporting venue was what happens when the host, an older lady, asks them to stop. The men insult her and throw their ($7) beers over her. She appears shaken and leaves.
Touchdowns are celebrated by slapping thighs and making ‘Pussy Signs’ above the players’ heads. Apparently it’s a great thing to attract the hand vagina signal. The new Sydney recruits selected from tryouts on Thursday night stood to one end clapping and dancing to ‘I am sexy and I know it’.
Men hang over the fence to get close-up camera shots of the player’s backsides.
As the player’s leave the field during half time a group of women enter wearing stockings, black high heeled boots and lingerie and hand out freebies to the men. The NSW team are introduced to the crowd. They run out and perform a set move – the sexier the move, the louder the roar from the crowd. A blonde woman who did the splits got the biggest reaction.
The second half gets underway and the men, fuelled by copious amounts of beer, become more aggressive. The music is pumped up.
The MC reads an ad for ‘Mobile Tanning Service.’ Given there were few women attending, of what interest would this be to the bulk of men in the crowd?
One player goes to the VIP section on field level and some men break the fence as they tried to grab her as she walks by. Security moves in.
When the game finishes the MC quickly announces that the party zone will commence in about 10 minutes for those with tickets. Fans who had paid could could stay back and take photos and do “whatever you want”.
LFL founder Mitch Mortaza made a statement over the intercom about how LFL was a new sport to Australia and how, despite the criticism, “You came the fuck anyways”. This is greeted by loud cheers from the fans.
The NSW team are sent out to parade around the field again. “They are all gorgeous girls, can’t wait to watch them,” the commentator says.
A group of men walk past me as I’m sitting by myself. One asks “What are you doing here? Are you a f-ing lesbian?” I said no, but I am reporting on the game. They didn’t elaborate further on their lesbian theme.
I decided it was time to leave. I walk out, depleted.
Lingerie Football League is hailed as the all-new Australian sport and we are supposed to celebrate? It wasn’t sport. It was a meat fest. It had the feel of a giant buck’s night. But it was on a sporting field so apparently that made it sport.
I call on sporting bodies and our Government, to step in to stop this. The game encourages sexist behaviour, it does nothing to promote women in sport on an equal footing with men.
What a sad day for women who do work hard for their sport, who go unrecognised, who can’t get attention for their outstanding abilities because they wish to play in practical, protective clothing and don’t want to be some man’s lingerie fantasy dressed up as sport.
Deborah Malcolm works with an international child aid agency and is a co-founder of Collective Shout: for a world free of sexploitation
See also: ‘Abused, called pussy, and told to pancake the shit out of her: my experience of lingerie football league try outs in Sydney last week’, MTR blog
47 Responses
Oh I’m so depressed reading this! But thank you so much for helping to cut through the marketing spin thrown about by the LFL’s founding Pimp. Lets hope we see the back of him. We need to send this report to allphones and ask them why they brought this garbage to Australia.
Is it true kids were allowed to attend this? If so, that is shocking!
Deb thank goodness there is a woman like you in this world! thank you so much for doing what you do, I hope your strength and drive to stand up against this disgusting culture inspires more men and women alike. you’re truly an inspiration it’s not easy to expose yourself to these things, but I am constantly in awe of your never failing joy and spark for life! we can all learn alot from you!
Well written Deborah. You wrote a courageous article and are a gutsy woman for even attending this disgusting, degrading event. It is nothing but a strip show – porn at the very least. It is horrifying to think that our leaders would allow this in a public arena – especially as it is promoted as a family event. I thought children were not legally allowed to view porn like this. We live in a sick culture where many men have no respect for women at all – and many women do not respect themselves. That said, the men who show integrity and respect and moral values are to be applauded.
Great article Deborah. I simply do not understand why more people aren’t outraged about this degrading entertainment. It is not ok on any level. Something has gone terribly wrong with our society.
So damn infuriated. If the Aus. Govt doesn’t step in and do something I would be suprised / ashamed. This is just so wrong.
A sad day indeed, Deb. An excellent report, however, from a great woman like you. Thanks to the in-depth coverage and clever approach of the CS team you all have ignited an army of Australians not willing to put up with the shameful filth that is the LFL. Keep it up!
I just don’t get why the women are signing up to play? It is quite confusing when one group of women are saying that this sport should be banned (and I totally agree with them) but on the other hand another group of women are signing up to wear lingerie and run around on a footy field…. are we at war against each other? Can anyone explain this to me?
LFL is un-australian. Sexploitation at it’s worst. This is where a Godless society shows it’s true nature. Depravity is not surprising. Amorality is the precursor to immorality. When man rejects God’s direction there’s only one way he can go. That of course is down. Please pray for our nation. Christians need to stand up and show the world there’s a better way to live.
Unfortunately if it brings in money no one cares, well not until the back lash costs more than its worth otherwise it is seen as free advertising. Also why do the girls do it? Why do girls do porn, or strip for money? I suspect for the same reasons and issues involved. I feel large scale sport, with massive salaries is a waste of money and resources, so my opinion about this is even more so.
What is sadder is that there are women who obviously feel they have to participate in this sort of entertainment which does not discourage those watching it. Who would go to watch this behaviour? The spectators are encouraging the low life organisers to keep running these events. Totally disgusting.
This is a very sad day for gender equality in this country. I am so ashamed to call myself a male, thankfully I’m still proud to call myself a man.
Mark my words; there is nothing short of gender warfare happening all around us… a war in which one party seeks total domination over the other. Sadly many women have given up, tragically thinking that submission is their only defence. The result is what we see happening throughout our cities, every Friday night.
Wake up women! Only defiance will free you from such tyranny. You are strong individually… you are even more so when you stand together.
Deborah, thank you so much. A sickening report, but the rest of us appreciate your going. Julia Gillard needs to get these first hand accounts (the one by Tal Stone and this one) emailed to her, does Collective Shout do that? Then she will not be ignorant of what she is dealing with, as I doubt she attended herself.
Those men present will never ask themselves a question about their own exploitation. Stupid is as stupid does and unfortunately, opportunistic always sees stupid walking.
We have daughters, sisters, mothers and lovers who we would “protect” from such loutish behaviour. Sadly that loutish behaviour is also our sons, our fathers, our brothers and ourselves.
Wow, and I thought things here in the states were bad. I have a fiance who is bueatiful and a daughter(7 mo. old) who is georgous, real men respect women not treat them like meat. How truly sad for the women there.
disgusting! thanks for reporting this. i hope it gets banned, disgraceful
Oh Deb – This is a heart wrenching post. I am deeply saddened that we have come to this. Visuals of the Roman Coliseum come to mind. As MTR has said, “Look how far we haven’t come.”
Deborah – according to a recent report by Helen razer – you are simply being a ‘snob’ and your feminist perspective is ‘snooty’. Self proclaimed sexist, Razer, thinks the LFL is ‘just a little distasteful’.
Perhaps a child beauty pageant at half time would round out a fabulous night out for the ‘family’.
Thank you for this report – Did you see any children there? I believe it should be an offence to sell tickets to children under 16 at such an event.
Still can’t believe this went ahead. So depressed. Where can we find a list of sponsors? I want to let them know I’ll be boycotting them until they stop funding misogynistic, sexist activities [this is not sport – professional athletes wouldn’t tolerate such dangers to compete].
Thanks all for comments. Hungry Mum here are the sponsors.Ask them if they are proud of underwriting this sexist porn-sport.
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Ticketek
Triple M Brisbane
Allphones Arena Sydney
Live Guide
Telecafe
7 Yahoo Sports
The LFL is not sport it is Adult Entertainment and cannot be compared to any other female sport in Australia. Perhaps the promoters should remove the family pass promotion and advertise it for what it is – I’m sure the numbers would still turn up at the Arena. Some men get along to the arena for a great perv on sensational looking women and these female entertainers are very willing participants. I’ve never met a woman who loathed compliments on her looks or body.
Dear All, firstly thank you to Melinda who ran this story and continues to highlight issues that harm women and children.
Thank you all for your support and for your comments.
In response to Julie Gale: From what I can tell there appeared to be more children in Brisbane than Sydney, however I did see a groups of teenagers without parents and some children sitting with fathers. I think the youngest being about 9 years old.
I agree that tickets should not be sold to U16’s at all and infact who suggest that the content of the evening was 18+.
It was a disturbing night and I am disgusted that it was allowed at all.
At some point it is about what is appropriate and what is not, based on respect of each other individually and globally. At some level we all need to be accountable for how we are preparing our society for our daughters and sons and in turn their children and interestingly enough, ourselves in the frailty of our aged years. I would never expose my kids to something like this. Unfortunately, they will possibly come into contact with people in their lives who have seen this and think it is OK. We know that observation of behavior is one of the biggest teachers for children (super heros etc are a simple example). My concern is what this is teaching and how will it impact on childrens’ own sense of self and their sense of others?
The biggest cheer of the night went to an amazing 30yard touchdown pass. Blokes don’t pay $40+ to see a strip show from the nosebleed section.
I am so disgusted by this so-called ‘sport’ at every level. I played Rugby Union in my university days, and continue to play soccer to this day, however, I and my team mates have never felt the need to play either football code in our underwear!
What group of Neanderthals crawled out from under their rocks and cooked up this latest sexist, sexualised ‘entertainment’ offering?
It’s a sad reflection on the state of sport (and men!) in this country when our women’s soccer and cricket teams who do so very well (as I am sure do many other women’s sporting teams/individuals) struggle for viewers/sponsorship, while this sexist rubbish draws a huge crowd of men, many of whom apparently do not know how to even behave like human beings in a public place.
It’s also a sad reflection on the women who have sold their souls to participate…
I cant believe you guys fell for this and call it sport in first place..Australia is a country most Americans always want to go before they die and usually never do. As a former player, I can tell you the media here does not even come out except once or twice when team first opens. When they find out what it is about, you never hear about it again in the city. There are not even real athletes on the Australia teams taking the trip. Maybe 3 I can figure can pass but otherwise most did not even stat and if they did it is because Mitch does the stats and has NO STATITICIAN. So come on folks; why did he take this to Canada, Mexico and Australia?? Because he is losing ground here and his financial ass frankly. He compares this to the NFL, trades-free agents blah blah. FOR real? I think the NFL should send one of those cease and desist letters that Mitch is so famous for to LFL. Mostly because until men take off them uniforms and play in their underwear I dont see how it compares to anything NFL or American football. I will even challenge the men to play in their shorts without a shirt and just shoulder pads! Why do the women play, because some want to play the game at all costs and are truly devoted! Others want to be famous, travel, and be told they are beautiful. Why not? This has 80% of those and 20% of the athletes that are infact beautiful women. Women need this game to comform to a uniform that fits them, that does not take their femininity away because they love to play and allows them to be true athletes not sex pots. These girls make NO money, no insurance and the only benefit is being part of the Playboy club and travel if you are picked that is by MITCH! Very sad for these girls. I can tell you this, Mitch Mortaza has opened doors for tons of teams to surface now..There will be womens teams soon that will stand proud and play you teams there the Ladie Football League: LFL who have been around for 12 yrs and who Mitch is trying to sue for the name??? Your govt shoudl be more aware of what they allow in this country when they keep saying from America..We DO NOT endorse this! We tolerate it because it is in deed like strip clubs.. Tolerated!
Half of your story was about Australian men behaving badly. You should probably report that to the government, as well. While you’re at it, condemn those women that play beach volleyball since they wear far less.
Great work Deb- you are probably one of the few females who is probably brave enough to view this and give such a frank account of what you have seen. Very greatly appreciated for those of us who werent there. It really highlights what was suspected- this is not about the “sport”: it is an opportunity to essentially degrade women in the name of “fun”- and that unfortunately anyone who opposes that is a kill joy.
Deborah Malcom’s diatribe of negative comments will obviously be suited to a website that focuses on the topics of objectification of women etc.. etc.. however there is hardly a comment that she made that doesn’t apply to a host of other Aussie sports.
For a start the uniforms were hardly what you’d call “lingerie”. A player’s pants/bottoms falling down (nothing unusual as we regularly see Nathan Hindmarsh getting “pantsed” on the Footy Show replays), blow up dolls, stacked beer cups, loud music, half time entertainment, blokes leering (don’t women do the same at the AFL eg?), coaches/players/managers swearing, spectators behaving badly – they are all commonplace occurrences in other televised sports in case Deb hadn’t noticed.
As a “supposed” former athlete herself it’s interesting that Deb could not make one positive comment about the skills, athleticism, and ferocity of the tackles some of which may have earned suspensions in the NRL code. Then again Deb wouldn’t elaborate on her self-admitted stupid act with the bucket of soapy water which ended her short lived sports career.
It wasn’t too long ago that no-one gave a toss about women’s sport too much. These days, young women in search of equality have embraced a multitude of sports which weren’t considered “feminine” or “lady like” – surfing, martial arts, boxing, soccer, rugby, touch footy, baseball, golf, marathons/triathalons, bmx/bike riding, auto/drag racing etc.. etc.. Now we have gridiron added to that ever growing list.
At least give the Aussie version a chance – it may well surprise you when it finally gets up and running. Otherwise a quick rerun of the “Thelma and Louise” movie may provide some much needed stimulus in the lives of all you serial doubters and detractors.
Or perhaps a quick read of Helen Razer’s review of the night could be in order – http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/feminist-critics-of-this-new-sport-sound-like-snobs-on-a-soapbox-20120608-201nt.html
A really important account, Deb, thanks so much for being so steely in going along and recording it for all of us. Your account is precious for highlighting the unsafe and threatening environment that LFL women are subject to, and the culture of brutal masculinity that is encouraged by the event. This account confounds the writing of commentators like Razer who see any criticism of the event as stemming from wowserism, or paternalism towards women. Razer mentions nothing of men’s behaviour at the LFL, nor of the masculinist culture it builds. This great account shows her critique to be far off understanding why feminists and other concerned people want the government to act against the LFL.
As a former athlete, it’s a shame that you couldn’t appreciate the athletes that were there that night. There were actually quite a few ladies in the crowd and it was obvious that your article was going to be bias no matter what happened anyway. The cricket has blowup dolls, track and field wear similar outfits and how many women watch football to ‘check out’ the athletes.
People seemed shocked at what they saw. I recall it is called Lingerie Football. So therefore there will be football and (surprise surprise …lingerie).
Oh no, there are fit women wearing lingerie running around tackling each other on a football field, oh no, there are men sitting and watching it…I am shocked…NOT.
I think the whole idea of lingerie football is a joke, however the moral high ground some people are taking is a bigger joke.
I don’t think the women are forced out there, and I imagine they are getting paid.
It’s no different to ‘gentlemens clubs’, ‘ladies clubs’, or any other form of entertainment that falls outside the norm. You have a bunch of adults running around on a field and another bunch watching them, simple!
If you think it is sexist, look at the workplace or advertising. Exploitation, the same. Let’s not forget our indigenous people and maybe move some of your energy to helping there.
Lingerie Football is not a problem, our intolerant conservative society is.
I am sooooo devestated that this game actually got through to even play a first game in Australia. A country with a female Prime Minister! Unbelievable I wonder how many wives were treated like property on their husbands return home that evening.
Like most Lesbians I don’t mind watching hot girls at any time, but I really do like to watch female ATHLETES too. This whole thing is a pornographic male phantasy.
I am very disappointed that it was received so terribly. I watch the sport on tv and although the women are beautiful, the skill and fitness levels are amazing. I never want to promote a sport with such a title (Lingerie) and I hope my daughter never plays because of the nature of the title.
As a dad, if I can support it for my children, then it has to change. the worst element of the sport is the injury concerns. Professional NFL athletes wear padding to withstand the tackles, these lingerie athletes are only given the gear to help them perform tackles. That is not safe.
Australian men are terrile thugs when it comes to women’s sports. They undervalue it and look at the sexuality of it instead of the athletic and discipline it builds. As a proud dad of a rep player, I urge all men who attended to ask themselves, what would I do or say if it was my daughter on the field?
Okay I think this is a huuuuge overeaction! i am a girl and I was at the game, I actually really enjoyed it. It’s just fun entertainment, the girls choose to do it and are enjoying themselves. As for criticising their small outfits – volleyball players and runners in the olympics wear just as skimpy outfits!
I am guessing that most of the women who are critical of this sport are SAD and FAT and don’t want their boyfriends / husbands watching it because they are jealous.. Go get on a treadmill and seriously just calm down, it’s just a bit of fun!!
Reading your blog I found it interesting I would have to agree with you to an extent I was at the same game as well and found that the dominace of males overwhelming but i also found that goin to state of origin on wednesday sitting in the patchy blues was the same as well, so much so it was more bout guys being guys. I dont look at it as a sport more as entertainment purpose pretty much compare it to womans jelly wrestling, pole dancers and so on. But to call it a sport I feel they should wear the entire uniform. But look these woman get paid to wear lingere and run up n down a field playng football meet the fans take happy snaps n thats it theres woman sliding up n down a pole wearing nxt to nothing n giving private lap dances looking like their comed up? whats the difference… Or what. bout ex female sports ppl who do luxury photo shoots for mens maganize i ask do you place these atheletes in the same boat for doing these shoots???
@Maz – really? The best defence of the LFL you can come up with is to throw personal barbs at its critics?
There’s a few interesting comments on this article. Maz said “am guessing that most of the women who are critical of this sport are SAD and FAT and don’t want their boyfriends / husbands watching it because they are jealous.. Go get on a treadmill and seriously just calm down, it’s just a bit of fun!!”
This is a standard response whenever anyone comments on women being required to wear very little to get (usually) men to watch them play sport, or even “get ahead” in a job or the entertainment industry. Why must other women who disagree be “SAD and FAT”. Perhaps we are healthy and educated instead? Women have fought for equality for years – equality of pay, the abiltiy to apply for any job, the desire to be valued for things other than our looks, even the ability to vote. In many places, women do not enjoy these opportunities. As a teenagers who grew up in the seventies and eighties, my generation was one of the first to take these opportunities for granted – and I am grateful for the women and men, who enabled us to think of careers and opportunities as a normal part of life.
It is an enormous step backwards when we women consider sexism an opportunity. The women playing LFL have bought into the lie that to be liberated and confident, we must be able to take our clothes off in public so that we can be looked at. This does not equate to equality, just exploitation, and a falling back into the role of women as “entertainment value”. It demeans us.
When this “sport” is equated to pole or lap dancing, then I’m concerned that we have a whole generation of women who have been deceived into believing that a woman’s value is in her ability to be sexually desirable to men. We are so much more than the sum of our body parts. We should be valued for our brains, our abiltiy to do a job, play a sport, and so many more things than looking “hot” in underwear.
And just a note for those who think the women are being paid – have a listen to what some of the ex LFL players in the US are telling us – they are now having to pay to play.
As a red blooded bloke who loves sport, I had talked about going to this game & my wife was going to let me.. But as a brother, a uncle, a cousin & as a husband I decided against it & I’m glade I made the right decision.. The way you have described what was happening to these girls is just wrong this is someons daughter, someons sister, nice etc.. What has happened to our society.. Sham, sham sham..
This is ridiculous. Everyone knows what there getting into (including the women). What else would you expect from the LINGERIE football league? The women don’t have to participate. If you want this banned then you might as well ban strip clubs, Beach Volleybol, Women’s tennis, Porn, Rated R movies, etc. The government can step in all they want but they’ll never stop men from turning into primitive monkeys when around young attractive females. Let’s be honest, they could never draw a crowd if this was just regular women’s football.
Women’s sport is less physical, less skillful, and generally less intersting then men’s sport. Deny it all you like, but it’s the truth. There are a number of exceptions, however NFL (LFL) is not one of them.
Nobody would pay to go and watch them if they weren’t in lingerie. Sport is a business, it needs to attract crowds to be profitable… and like or loathe it, they wouldn’t attract crowds with just their NFL (LFL) skill.
We need to stop referring to LFL as purely Sport. It’s sports entertainment. Exactly the same as Wrestling. There have been women Wrestling in the WWF in less clothing for decades.
These girls playing the sport are not being exploited. They are making a career out of their fantastic mix of looks, skills, and confidence. Women should be proud that these girls are succeeding in the sports entertainment arena.
Men and women have been making careers out of their looks for centuries. If a persons greatest asset is their body, then they should play to their strength. He/She shouldn’t need to struggle through life trying to make ends meet using their limited brainpower, when they can make a rewarding career out of their looks.
You people who are disagreeing with this sport and saying that they shouldn’t need to be in lingerie to be popular. Have you ever been to a normal women’s football game ? Do you actively support them? I didn’t think so. If you did, then their competitions would have enough corporate sponsorship to make prime time TV.
All power to the talented and attractive ladies playing this sport, I look forward to once again attending this sport, and cheering on these incredible women!
In no way can LFL be compared with legitimate female sports or male sports where players lose their shorts; the lingerie premise undermines any notion of sporting ability, something professional athletes would never concede no matter what their sex appeal may be.
The Roller-derby bouts I’ve been to (ref: Razer’s column) feature women in similar uniform to Basketball or Aussie Rules and I wouldn’t have any problems watching ‘sun smart’ Women’s Beach Volleyball – these ladies are talented, no matter what ^John Denver says or what they’re wearing.
A bigger issue for me is the use of public venues somehow legitimizing this as more than a seedy private venue event (stripclubs or brothels). Sure, girls may show their boobs at arena gigs but no promoter would place these incidental occurences before the show itself. With these venues, governments at appropriate levels need to bear responsibility.
I love how so many of these comments are full of flowery prose, angry, self-righteous retorts and sweeping, polemical generalisations….the way these keyboard warriors clamour like geese in argument with each other and demand the government do something while they sit on their backsides voicing their disgust on the internet is hilarious. Or it would be, if it weren’t so sad. You really think you’re going to change anything this way? Nobody cares about your opinion because you’re here raging on the internet instead of making the changes you say you want to see.
As to the author and the article itself, I’m impressed at your writing and the way you voice your opinion. Hopefully it elicits more of a response, and a more useful and mature one, than that of the keyboard warriors here.
I agree, I am so offended. Censorship is the answer… I could just present my opinion by not watching but I want to make sure no one else has the choice to watch this either.
Good looking woman playing sport? I’m offended (yes I said sport)
Woman should not look good doing anything. That would be sexist. In fact they should make a point of presenting themselves in the worst possible light in any given situation.
We should ban everything I don’t approve of… Would somebody pleeeaaase think of the children!
I am not shocked as i wish i could be… unfortunately its the kind of behavior i would expect at a “Game” where women are in their underwear. It is Not the new game for Australia, its just making it more obvious how sex obsessed our country is. I think if any of us want to make a difference we have to actually do something about it… and unfortunately it doesn’t really start here with the LFL. It starts with those being taken advantage of and used as sex objects….once that begins to change then maybe things like the LFL wont need to exist.
Clearly you have no idea at all. As a woman I support the right of all women to freely choose whether or not to participate in this sport as either a player or as a spectator. It’s certainly NOT for you to tell me what to do!