The ex-AFL coach helping dads tackle the Andrew Tate factor
This story is part of the June 21 edition of Good Weekend. See all 15 stories.
Rodney Eade spent more than half his lifetime within the hypermasculine world of Australian rules football, first as a player with AFL clubs Hawthorn and Brisbane, then as coach of, respectively, the Sydney Swans, the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns. 'One thing I learnt,' says Eade, 67, who retired his clipboard in 2017, 'is that boys and young men need direction and mentoring. And when they become partners and fathers, they continue to benefit from support.'
Such lessons continue to resonate in Eade's current role as partnerships manager for The Fathering Project, a secular, not-for-profit organisation that he says is in increasing demand for the father-focused support groups and programs it runs through schools, corporations and sporting clubs.
'Most fathers are looking for a better connection with their kids and to be a better role model, but often they don't know how,' he says, stressing the considerable benefits of addressing this.
'Evidence shows that the developmental outcomes of children [improve] exponentially when they have an engaged father, or father figure, in their life,' he adds, referencing research linking attentive fathering to a reduction in children's behavioural problems, emotional problems and delinquency.
Founded in 2013 in Western Australia by respiratory physician Professor Bruce Robinson, The Fathering Project facilitates almost 500 dads' groups around the country. Demand has never been greater, says its CEO, Káti Gapaillard, something she puts down to fathers feeling caught between expectations of providing for their families during a cost-of-living crisis and what can feel like a conflicting desire to be a more present parent. 'So they come to us looking for tools to help them connect with their kids and to other fathers – without judgment,' she says.
While The Fathering Project's focus is on fathers and children of both sexes, it has highlighted many boys' struggles with emotional regulation, aggression and gendered stereotyping, issues highlighted to devastating effect in Netflix shows, such as the universally acclaimed British drama Adolescence and the Danish thriller Secrets We Keep.
'Boys, especially, are looking for a way to see who they are and express their masculinity,' says Gapaillard, 'and if we don't provide that identity-development support, then they find it somewhere else, either through a peer group or online, via potentially harmful male role models.'
Professor Michael Flood, a Fathering Project associate and researcher on masculinities and gender at the Queensland University of Technology, says influencers such as Briton Andrew Tate use discussions about finance, fitness and self-improvement as 'Trojan horses through which sexism and misogyny are smuggled in'. Fathers, he says, can help inoculate their sons against such things: 'Just as violence can be passed down through generations, so can nurturing.'
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Courier-Mail
11 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
‘One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
Don't miss out on the headlines from UFC. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jon Jones, regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts champion of all time, has retired, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Sunday morning Australian time. White said that 37-year-old Jones informed the UFC of his decision to retire the day prior. A heavyweight title unification bout between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall had been touted, but Jones' decision elevates Aspinall to undisputed champion. UFC 317 Topuria vs. Oliveira | SUN 29 JUN 12PM AEST | One of the biggest fight cards of the year has arrived. Spain's Ilia Topuria looks to capture the vacant lightweight title against former champion, Charles Oliveira | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. 'Jon Jones called us last night and retired,' White said at a press conference in Azerbaijan. 'Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.' White went on to say that the UFC will work with Aspinall on finding him his first title defence, but Jones is yet to comment publicly on the announcement. The American (28-1) moved up from the light heavyweight division to become the heavyweight champion in 2023. Jon Jones took the heavyweight belt. Photo by Sarah Stier / Getty Images via AFP. He defended his belt once during his time on top, against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November last year, and had repeatedly played down talk about an impending fight against Aspinall. The potential matchup would have been one of the biggest in UFC history, but Jones continually suggested it would not change his legacy. Fans accused him of ducking the 32-year-old Englishman, and there was so much outrage that an online petition to strip Jones of the title collated more than 200,000 signatures. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him,' White said. 'Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. 'He's been willing to do anything — fight him anywhere and anytime and do this, and now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. You tell me who, and I'll fight him'. 'So Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I'm excited to work with him.' White's words came as Khalil Rountree Jr. dominated former champion Jamahal Hill in a five-round decision in their light heavyweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan. Jones became the youngest ever UFC champion at just 21 years of age, and he went undefeated in championship fights with a 16-0 record despite taking on more of them than anyone else. He is one of only fighters to boast titles in multiple weight classes, and his 22 wins are the equal fifth most in UFC history. Jones also attracted plenty of attention outside of the Octagon. He was arrested and charged for a hit-and-run in 2015 after he fled the scene of a vehicle accident which injured a 25-year-old pregnant woman. The following year, Jones was banned from competition for one year as a result a positive drug test, but he has long maintained that the positive result was due to contaminated legal supplements. Originally published as 'One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
The Advertiser
39 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'Feeling good': Minjee Lee on verge of third major win
Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard. Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard. Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard. Minjee Lee is on the precipice of landing a third career major and one of the biggest pay days in women's golf after seizing a commanding lead at the PGA Championship in Texas. The Australian superstar defied more brutal conditions with a sublime third-round three-under-par 69 to skip out to a four-shot lead at PGA Frisco's scorching and windswept Fields Ranch East course. Lee started the day three shots behind world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul and was unable to make any inroads on the Thai before hitting top gear around the turn. Beautiful off the tee and with the broomstick in hand, the Perth prodigy collected her first birdie of the day on the ninth hole, then nabbed two more on 14 and 15 to turn a three-shot deficit into a four-stroke buffer. After hitting 11 of 14 fairways and needing just 26 putts, Lee finished round three at six under after posting the only bogey-free round of the championship. "I'm feeling pretty good," she said. "I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position. "So, yeah, I'm going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow." Thitikul briefly reached six under herself before stumbling with four back-nine bogeys in a rough four-over round of 76. The leading duo are the only players in red numbers as the season's third major shapes as a Sunday match-play showdown. South Korean Hye-Jin Choi (72), Japan's Miyu Yamashita (73) and American Lexi Thompson (75) are tied for third at one over, seven shots behind the runaway leader. "Obviously major Sunday is a different story," Lee said. "This is round three, so I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead. "So I'm just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. "That's what I'm going to focus on." Even Thitikul was in awe of Lee's performance. "Three under par today, I was like, wow, that's really impressive," said the former world No.1. "She played absolutely A-game for sure." Victory for Lee would earn the 29-year-old the third leg of the women's golf grand slam following her 2021 Evian Championship triumph and 2022 US Open success. Lee is also hoping to snap a 19-month winless run, the longest drought of her decorated career. Victory would also secure Australian women's sport's highest earner another monster cheque of $US1.8 million ($A2.8 million), the equal-highest pay day in her game's history. Perhaps most gratifying of all, the West Australian can bury the demons from last year's spectacular final-round car crash at the US Open. Lee opened up a three-stroke back-nine lead only to collapse down the stretch to finish tied for ninth. If she does atone, Lee will likely endure another long day at the office after Saturday's round took some six hours. The one-time world No.2 is happy to be playing in the final group once again with the bubbly Thitikul. "Jeeno is great," Lee said. "She's fast. She has good chat when we are waiting. We had a nice little chat. "I've played with her a bunch of times already, so, yep." World No.1 Nelly Korda will start the final round eight shots back in a share of sixth after shooting a 72. Australian Grace Kim is a further shot back at three over after firing a brilliant 66, the low third round, to surge up the leaderboard.
Herald Sun
41 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
‘One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
Don't miss out on the headlines from UFC. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jon Jones, regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts champion of all time, has retired, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Sunday morning Australian time. White said that 37-year-old Jones informed the UFC of his decision to retire the day prior. A heavyweight title unification bout between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall had been touted, but Jones' decision elevates Aspinall to undisputed champion. UFC 317 Topuria vs. Oliveira | SUN 29 JUN 12PM AEST | One of the biggest fight cards of the year has arrived. Spain's Ilia Topuria looks to capture the vacant lightweight title against former champion, Charles Oliveira | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. 'Jon Jones called us last night and retired,' White said at a press conference in Azerbaijan. 'Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.' White went on to say that the UFC will work with Aspinall on finding him his first title defence, but Jones is yet to comment publicly on the announcement. The American (28-1) moved up from the light heavyweight division to become the heavyweight champion in 2023. Jon Jones took the heavyweight belt. Photo by Sarah Stier / Getty Images via AFP. He defended his belt once during his time on top, against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November last year, and had repeatedly played down talk about an impending fight against Aspinall. The potential matchup would have been one of the biggest in UFC history, but Jones continually suggested it would not change his legacy. Fans accused him of ducking the 32-year-old Englishman, and there was so much outrage that an online petition to strip Jones of the title collated more than 200,000 signatures. 'I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him,' White said. 'Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. 'He's been willing to do anything — fight him anywhere and anytime and do this, and now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. You tell me who, and I'll fight him'. 'So Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I'm excited to work with him.' White's words came as Khalil Rountree Jr. dominated former champion Jamahal Hill in a five-round decision in their light heavyweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan. Jones became the youngest ever UFC champion at just 21 years of age, and he went undefeated in championship fights with a 16-0 record despite taking on more of them than anyone else. He is one of only fighters to boast titles in multiple weight classes, and his 22 wins are the equal fifth most in UFC history. Jones also attracted plenty of attention outside of the Octagon. He was arrested and charged for a hit-and-run in 2015 after he fled the scene of a vehicle accident which injured a 25-year-old pregnant woman. The following year, Jones was banned from competition for one year as a result a positive drug test, but he has long maintained that the positive result was due to contaminated legal supplements. Originally published as 'One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
