Brad Weber: Sport and Inclusion

Brad Weber is an All Black and a Super Rugby champion who’s become a vocal supporter of the rainbow community. From speaking out against Israel Folau to working in schools, he’s helping to pave the way for inclusivity within sports.

 

This episode of What I Know Now looks at how far rugby has come in being a place where people can be accepted for who they are. Brad acknowledges it’s still got some way to go, but can see the way forward.

 

School Sport CEO Mike Summerell and Brad talk about:

 

• Why he doesn’t think he would have been an All Black if he didn’t play different sports at school
• The resilience he got from going through club rugby rather than being fast-tracked
• How the social side of rugby kept him in the sport, even though he didn’t get a professional contract from school
• How his high school rugby coaches kept players engaged 
• Why he’s so passionate about being an advocate for the gay community
• How sport has become more inclusive
• Being labelled by someone as the kind of person they’d hide their sexuality from
• The significance of casual language and how hurtful it can be to people
• How feeling like he could be himself set up his success at the Chiefs
• The role sport can play in helping young people to develop in a personal and social sense 
• Being impressed by the inclusivity he sees when he goes to schools now
• His advice for dealing with friends when they say things that aren’t acceptable

 

Brad’s leadership and experience make him a powerful advocate in this space. This conversation highlights the impact of small things in allowing people to be themselves and shows how sport has a huge role in helping people to develop their own way.