By 3 News online staff
There are calls for more education about homophobia in sport, as a new study shows New Zealand in a poor light.
Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed say they don't think youth sports teams are safe or supportive for young gay people.
Of the six English-speaking countries in the Out on the Fields study, New Zealand had the lowest rate of gay men playing rugby, and those that do play are more likely to keep their sexuality a secret.
Jeremy Brankin captains the New Zealand Falcons, a gay rugby team, and wants to see a fundamental shift.
"It probably needs to start right at the grassroots levels," he said on TV3's Paul Henry programme this morning.
"Kids in schools, PE teachers educating students that it's not okay to be homophobic in sports, that using terms like poofs and that sort of thing is not acceptable."
But former All Black Andy Haden says some on-field banter is being misunderstood.
"Maybe I've got my head in the sand, but and I'm not so close to sports environments as I used to be, but I just don't think it exists," he told Newstalk ZB.
Haden said the slurs were "used for just anyone in general", not specifically gay players.
New Zealand Rugby says it's already working to make the game more inclusive.
3 News
source: newshub archive
