Australian rugby league and violence 1970 to 1995: a case study in the maintenance of masculine hegemony

Abstract

The intersecting issues of violence and masculinity are central to Australian rugby league. Positively sanctioned violence is explicitly linked to the all-male preserve of rugby league, with physical violence and domination being an historically naturalised way of performing masculinity in this context. These characteristics see this sport perform as a 'flag-carrier' of masculinity in Australian society. This paper utilises Connell's concept of the 'gender order' to bring the issues of masculine identities, and the role that violence plays in the formation and construction of these identities, into the critical spotlight. While gender relations in rugby league appear 'natural', 'static' and 'normal', and remain mostly unquestioned, it is hoped to unravel many of the social and historical processes that have constructed and maintained masculine hegemony in and through the game. Issues to be addressed include codes of player behaviour, the body, injury and violence, the subordination of women and women's sport, and homosexuality in rugby league's homosocial subculture.