Kevin Hillier reflects on the best man – or woman – for the job
The season launch of the Western Region Football League and myriad other footy events made for a very enjoyable week.
Susan Alberti was the keynote speaker at the WRFL launch. The most telling thing I took from what she said was that she does not believe in gender bias. She believes the best person for the job should get the job, regardless of gender.
I have written about this before and copped criticism I feel was unwarranted.
Should every football club have four female directors and four male directors because that is a nice even split? Shouldn’t the club’s board have the best eight people available?
I don’t care if they are male or female. Do you? At the end of the day, it is all about your ability to do the job – not whether you are male or female.
For me, that was a breath of fresh air from Susan. She is a trailblazer, no doubt about that – but commonsense should always be the best indicator of what is right. You get the job because you are the best, end of story.
Rebecca Maddern has been a friend of mine for many years. By taking up a role as co-host on The Footy Show, she has surprised me but not shocked me. I wish her well in what is a very blokey world. Bec will have no problems with that, as I know she will give as good as she gets.
If Bec was the best candidate for the job then let’s go – no argument.
Unfortunately, there will always be a cloud hanging over her head – an unfair suspicion she was chosen because she was a female, something I know she will hate because she is a professional.
Bec did the hard yards as a driver of the Triple M Black Thunders, then as a rookie newsreader at Triple M before going to Nova and Channel Seven.
Now she is the co-host of the most successful football show that has ever been on television. That is a pretty good CV in anyone’s language. Will it work? Who knows? I hope it does not derail Bec’s career – she has rolled the dice and I hope her numbers come up. ■
If you have any news or events, let me know at kevin@howdypartnersmedia. com.au
