Recently a member of the Channel 9 and Continuous Call team, Erin Molan, made controversial comments regarding Polynesian/Melanesian surnames. 

There is already a petition circulating to remove her from the Continous Call team and from Channel 9. 

I believe this does not improve the representation of Pacific Islanders in Australian media and sports. 

A report generated by the National Rugby League (NRL) in 2014 stated that 45% of players had Pasifika backgrounds. This number may be even greater now in 2020. The current full-time commentators on Channel 9 and Fox sports are Caucasian and Indigenous. I am calling for the CEO's of Channel 9 and Fox Sports, Hugh Marks and Patrick Delany respectively to employ an ex-player of Pasifika heritage as a full-time NRL commentator. 

A Pasifika commentator can share our player's stories, teach other commentators how to pronounce our names and team names and explain the game through our eyes. 

Hopefully this is a step in the way of inclusiveness and away from non-professional "in-jokes". 

When we receive 1,000 signatures I will send the petition and a letter to the respective CEO's of Channel 9 and Fox Sports. 

Thank you, 

Madison Gonebale