Camouflaged jerseys are a regular sight here in the US where sports teams seek to honor our military. During the recent ANZAC Day observance in Australia, jerseys like this were worn during a Rugby tournament.
Apparently, there was some controversy over its use. According to an SSD reader, “fans of the sport have come out in protest along with some well known and respected commentators saying ‘they arent soldiers they are cheapening the fine job our lads are doing in Afghanistan’ etc…even though its the DPDU pattern and not the Multicam that Combat troops wear over there.”
-Thanks Craig P.
I can see where they are coming from, but a Camo Caps jersey? BADASS!
Someone should probably point out that while Multicam is being worn in Afghanistan at the moment, it is only issued to that AO. DPDU is still the ‘official’ desert pattern of the ADF
They might not be soldiers, but their fitness, mental toughness and ability to reach the pinnacle of their sport is something we can all aspire to emulate.
It doesn’t matter what you do, there is always someone sitting around who cant wait to be offended by it. As Roosevelt said “It is not the critic who counts…”
So fuck ’em. Drive on and their pitiful voices will be lost in the roar of the crowd.
I’m not offended by the NRL camo tops.However the day will be hijacked by NRL just as AFL has hijacked the day in Melbourne.Its all about money not ANZAC and its a massive secret how much money is going to the RSL or legacy.If the profits from the day went to Legacy for example no Football team would be playing.
When I came to Australia in the late 70’s ANZAC day was about the servicemen and the wars they fought in.To me being a soldier was the most Australian I could be.Now new Australians I work with think of ANZAC day as the day the Bombers play the Magpies.
And if its such a salute to ANZAC how come the little teams don’t get to play?