Essendon vice-captain Zach Merrett has declared he will play his role in advocating for gender equality in football, after being inspired by his former junior female teammates.
Speaking with passionate gender equality advocate and media personality Andy Maher following the release of Merrett’s article on casual sexism on Tuesday evening, the 23-year-old said the response to his piece had been very "touching".
“The response has been really pleasing. I’ve had some really touching messages from lots of people, particularly AFL and VFL Women’s players too, as well as mothers and parents. I guess hopefully I can act as a strong voice in this space,” Merrett said.
“Obviously, I don’t have all the answers but hopefully it allows men, or women, when they read (the article) to reflect upon their experiences and what they see in society currently. I think if anything, it’s a great chance to reflect on their own experiences with gender (in)equality.”
Click here to read Merrett’s column
While conceding he didn’t have all the answers, the midfielder acknowledged it was a complex issue.
“At times it can be tough to find tangible things to do and how to improve (in that space), and that’s something I am still learning. I don’t have all the answers but I’m certainly keen to work with women and find ways to improve," he said.
“Reading the article (that inspired my piece) just reaffirmed to me we are in such a lucky position to be able to hopefully impact change and hopefully influence people for the better, going forward.
“If anything, it gives fans a good insight into what I stand for and what I really believe in too. When you see me running around getting a kick on game day, it’s about more than just footy.”
Merrett said he was also moved by the recent and iconic photo of Carlton AFLW player Tayla Harris, before reflecting on own experiences with casual sexism in football.
“As I said in the article, after that chat in the physio room at the club, I went away after that and just reflected on my experiences with women and girls in footy and it’s sort of led from there,” he said.
“When I spoke to the two girls I played with in junior footy, they were certainly very excited now with the AFL Women’s competition and the opportunities that arise from that.
“The biggest one for me was the fact girls were stopped in playing footy. When I was growing up, they were about 14 or 15 and couldn’t strive (to play at the elite level) like I could in playing AFL. Clearly now, the AFL have made huge inroads around the AFL Women’s system and VFLW, but looking back, I realised those girls didn’t have those opportunities to aspire to. And I’d love to play my role in improving that process for women in footy.”
The iconic photo of Tayla Harris. (Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media)
The 2017 All-Australian said he looked forward to the natural integration of Essendon’s future AFLW team into the club’s overall football program.
“Now, when I go out to school clinics and Auskick clinics, the number of young girls keen to get involved in footy have gone through the roof, which is so pleasing to see and credit to the AFL for establishing that pathway. There are now no limitations,” Merrett said.
“You see the integration of AFL sides now with their AFL Women’s teams and that’ll be Essendon in years to come when we get an AFLW side.”
