Matthew Richardson Defection to Team Great Britain

Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 12:54
Last edited 22/08/2024 - 15:37 by 1 other user

This is probably a much bigger story then the media are giving it credit and i think most of that is due to the fact cycling isnt that big of a sport in Australia.

For those who dont know Matthew Richardson has repersented team Australia in the recent Paris and Tokyo Olympics picking up a Silver and a Bronze and has announced he is defecting to team Great Britain.

For context Richardson is 25 years old was born in the UK and lived there till he was Nine years old, he moved with his family to Australia and has lived here since and been trained and supported by the Australian system. I would imagine team Great Britan would have vastly more funding and superior sponsorship deals, renumeration etc I know some team GB Medalist can get up to 10-50k Pound Sterling (20-100k AUD) opposed to the Australian atheletes get between 5-20k for a medal.

Richardson has also said this “It was a personal choice, made after careful consideration of my career and future. It’s not something I decided on quickly or easily."

IMHO it is about $$$ - the question i have if would you do the same?

Im going to say straight out the bloke is a defector and deserves the hate he is getting from Australian fans, the people who trained him to this point have mostly all been blindsighted and probably left hurt. But for him personally the difference in support, coaching, funding, sponsorship etc would probably be worth 100s of 1000s of not millions by the time he finishes his career i dont know if i can blame him…

Thus on one hand you have a loyalty to those who 'made' you who you are? on the other 'life is short' and 'careers are shorter' you for to put yourself 1st?

After the initial rage and a discussion from other passionate sports fans - i asked myself the question would i do the same? if one path of loyalty lead me to a future of financial struggle and the other made me a tratior but wealthy and would set me up and family - i honestly answer 'i dont know what i would do' - i like to think i would stay loyal to Australia it is easy to say that when im not in that position.

So ill leave it to the polls

Just to clarify a few people think im out-raged or having ago at the bloke im not (although others have) im actually probably more impartial to his action although 'I' like to think i wouldnt just take the money - i probably would but i find it interesting so many others would too. Shows we have a real nationalism on Ozbagrain might be a wider problem for why Australia is falling behind in other areas

interesting poll thanks for the comments

Poll Options

  • 100
    Id defect for the money
  • 3
    I wouldnt defect for money
  • 18
    Matthew Richardson is Judas id never do that
Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • Dollar General on 22/08/2024 - 13:06
    +8

    4 years is a long time in sport so probably won’t even make the GB team for LA olympics

    • pformag on 23/08/2024 - 13:16

      He is still young and will be in his prime at LA.

      • Dollar General on 23/08/2024 - 14:07

        Yes but GB has other great cyclists too

  • leiiv on 22/08/2024 - 13:09
    +4

    Well, at least he's not the gold medallist.

    • jv on 22/08/2024 - 14:44
      +1

      🥇

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 19:54
        -1

        Jv i feel like the same 5-6 LWNJ down voting every comment you make are the same ones that have ago at me so here is a upvote

  • Dumax on 22/08/2024 - 13:11
    +24

    I think calling him traitor might be a bit harsh. If he were a regular worker, we wouldn't fault him for seeking a better deal for himself. Most athletes have a very limited time to make the most of their career, and if switching to Team GB offers better support and financial security, it's hard to blame him for making that choice. At the end of the day, he's just looking out for his future, like anyone else would.

    Plus, it's not like we're investing in him purely out of generosity, instead of for our own self aggrandisement. If he wasn't making the cut they wouldn't hesitate to drop him.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 13:33
      -2

      This is a fair comment i do agree with you

      Thus why i posted the poll

  • monky on 22/08/2024 - 13:11
    +5

    I think sportsball is overrated.

  • node modules on 22/08/2024 - 13:12
    +5

    It takes privilege to turn down money.

    • Dumax on 22/08/2024 - 13:25
      +2

      or knowing what you're worth…

      • ESEMCE on 22/08/2024 - 16:01

        Nope. You need to be in the position to afford to turn it down before "knowing what your worth is even a consideration"

  • stickingly on 22/08/2024 - 13:18
    +10

    The idea of loyalty in sport (and life and work) seems to be an outdated concept. It about getting what is best for you in your limited time at the top, and It is common now and accepted to be on the lookout for a better deal elsewhere, so good luck to him.

    I am sure Cycling Australia would have had no hesitation in shafting him if it suited them

    There are plenty of athletes that have shifted from other countries to Australia - I don't remember howls of indignation about that

    • jolygood on 23/08/2024 - 13:21

      Agree. Nothing's personal, just business.

  • altomic on 22/08/2024 - 13:22
    +12

    So, he has moved back to the UK (the place he was born and where he lived till he was 9 - formative years) just for the chance of maybe representing england in 4 years time and to maybe win a medal and therefore maybe get $80,000…….

    Yeah, packing up and moving internationally for just that slim chance at money seems like a solid reason./sarcasm tag

    As for calling him a traitor? Put down your crack pipe OP.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 13:29
      -5

      Well when you are part of one team and levelto repersents a rival what else would you call that?

      You also ignored sponsorship whichcould be worth 100s of 1000s if not millions from brands like Adidas that Australian Athletes dont get

      For the record im not blaming the bloke for defecting but ill call a spade a spade to 'defect' is essentially to abandon ones country according to the dictionary meaning

      https://www.google.com/search?q=defition+of+defecting&oq=def…

      • altomic on 22/08/2024 - 13:41
        +10

        He has dual citizenship.
        His parents are both english.
        I'd assume all his family is english.

        He identifies as english.
        He wants to represent his real home country.

        It's not like he defecting to Russia.

        He's returning to his home.

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 14:47
          -6

          Look im not disagreeing with you but ill play devils advocate…. he has repersented Australia (twice) to choose to defect to abandoned….a nation this isnt me having 'ago' at him' or you just the definition.

          If he choose the UK over Australia your points make no sense if he has to some extent used Australia to build his career he is a traitor

          Now where you and most other of the weird outrage merchants on here arem issing the point is 'i kind of' dont blame him.

          But anyone saying he has not done Australia dirty (which is his right to be fair) is cooked - i dont think people realise how much is put into high level sport (perhaps we do need more but there is still a lot thrown at these guys/girls)

          • altomic on 22/08/2024 - 15:35
            +2

            @Trying2SaveABuck: "Defect" - you keep using that word, but in the incorrect context.

            • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 15:46
              -2

              @altomic: Fair enough a few people have commented i didnt realised (but probably should of) the sensitivity around saying he is a traitor i have changed the wording

              unlike many keyboard warriors online im open to changing the position or wording of a post - i didnt mean to appear bias

              • altomic on 22/08/2024 - 19:42
                +3

                @Trying2SaveABuck: bias?

                you sound desperate in your appeal to patriotism .

                the loaded jargon.

                plus your poll options are a joke - they consist of either (a) i'd do it for the money, or (b) + (c) i wouldn't do it with or with out the money.

                where is the option - "i see nothing wrong what he did?"

                or "i'd move back to my home country to represent them internationally in the future"

          • Miss B on 23/08/2024 - 12:20

            @Trying2SaveABuck: I'll be honest and say I have not been following any of this and I don't particularly care. But, I spent one year in another country and it felt more like home than Australia, I don't feel like I have capacity to move there and I've built a life here and it's fine, but if someone reached out and offered me a job there and I had dual citizenship I'd seriously consider taking them up on it. So maybe he was feeling that before he got the offer and realised that is actually where his heart lies.

            • SpainKing on 23/08/2024 - 13:26

              @Miss B: Which other country? What made it feel more like home than home? You don't think it's rose-tinted glasses or anything like that?

        • payless69 on 22/08/2024 - 20:02

          your Grammarly settings amaze me.

  • freefall101 on 22/08/2024 - 13:28
    +4

    I know plenty of people who have moved overseas for better work opportunities. Never have I heard it called a "defection".

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 13:31
      -7

      Another comment where you totally miss the point

      Also if they work O/S if they return to Aus they will still likel have to pay tax parity in Australia….

      • freefall101 on 22/08/2024 - 13:48
        +3

        Another comment where you totally miss the point

        There's a difference between not getting the point and not agreeing with your point. I get your point, I think it's stupid to believe he owes Australia anything.

        Also if they work O/S if they return to Aus they will still likel have to pay tax parity in Australia….

        I definitely don't get your point here though. If anyone, olympian or not, moves overseas for less than 6 months they may have a tax liability in Australia. Anyone who moves for more than 6 months, olympian or not, generally doesn't. This isn't America, you don't get taxed in Australia regardless of where you live in the world, only if you're a tax resident here.

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 14:49
          -6

          There's a difference between not getting the point and not agreeing with your point. I get your point, I think it's stupid to believe he owes Australia anything.

          my point was the 'exect' opposite " 'life is short' and 'careers are shorter' you for to put yourself 1st" - maybe read what i posted 1st

          if you read this part i was actually saying i dont blame him but he was always going to get some fair backlash the idea was to see how others felt about it

          i didnt read the rest of your comment but i dont think you have ever posted something i thought was worth reading but you totally missed the point

  • theHMASfriendship on 22/08/2024 - 13:28
    +5

    Who cares, we want to see bargains

  • Cyphar on 22/08/2024 - 13:32

    GB has more opportunity for him and he owes nothing further to Australia so all the more power to him. GB provides better funding, better opportunities for sponsorship and Europe has more competitions he can compete in, being much closer to it by basing himself there.

    I see no issues.

  • jugsy on 22/08/2024 - 13:33
    +1

    Threads like this are why I still watch the forums

  • payless69 on 22/08/2024 - 13:34

    Given the road behaviour of cars I would switch cycling any day from Perth to Kent UK.

  • SBOB on 22/08/2024 - 13:51
    +1

    Im going to say straight out the bloke is a tratior and deserves the hate
    After the initial rage

    perfectly rational behavior and emotions if you were a AM talk back radio host

    he's a dual citizen and can ride his pushie wherever he wants.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 14:58
      -4

      For the record 'i' personally am not hating on him im saying 'id probably' do the same (i like to think i wouldnt)

      i understand the backlash he is a defector this is a 'fact' not an emotional reponse the fact that confuses you explains many of your previous comments you seem to be a very emotionally socialist sort of person with little to no understanding of how to balance an arguement

      • SBOB on 22/08/2024 - 15:07
        +1

        For the record 'i' personally am not hating on him

        true,
        traitor is generally a term of affection and rage at peoples inconsequential actions is often felt by well adjusted people

        using the word defector (in the 'rage' tone you have applied) for an athlete with dual citizenship going to compete for his other country would be considered a 'stretch' on the use of the definition. He isn't abandoning the country and will retain his Au citizenship.
        Going to work overseas, which is something many citizens do, is not considered 'defecting'. Whether that's an investment banker going to NY or a guy who rides a bike really fast to the UK is of no difference.

        The fact this confuses you and engrages you is of no suprise to me based on many of your previous comments

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 15:36
          -3

          in the 'rage' tone you have applied

          i know you're not too bright but i have typed this not said it, im unsure what 'tone' you think im using but you cannot have a 'tone' unless something is spoken….

          But fair enough if 'Traitor' seemed too harsh i will change the wording

          the difference between you and me is i can accept critism and try to get other peoples prespective if the wording was taken the wrong way i am not entrenched on changing it

          • SBOB on 22/08/2024 - 16:04
            +2

            @Trying2SaveABuck:

            Im unsure what 'tone' you think im using but you cannot have a 'tone' unless something is spoken…

            Tone is the way you express ideas. It includes the words you use, the way you put them together and their level of formality.

            In literary terms, tone typically refers to the mood implied by an author's word choice and the way that the text can make a reader feel. The tone an author uses in a piece of writing can evoke any number of emotions and perspectives

            (copy/pasted example definitions for non entrenched understanding)
            you 100% can have 'tone' in written discussion.

          • ESEMCE on 22/08/2024 - 16:04
            +1

            @Trying2SaveABuck: The tone of the post starts out reading like "rage", certainly the way I read it at least.
            It's only at the end that you switch.

            Probably need a TLDR at the top or a full rewording.

      • borrisz0r on 23/08/2024 - 14:34

        I think the real question is if he is REALLY overpaid. Whole.new post and poll needed…

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 22/08/2024 - 14:01
    +7

    Can he take Raygun?

  • overthinking on 22/08/2024 - 14:02

    No one will care in 3 months, it's cycling. If this was Usman Khawaja, (best example I can think of) it would be a whole different story.

    The fact of the matter is, he's a dual citizen, he can leave whenever he wants. Good riddance.

    Frees up a spot for a true-blue Aussie kek

  • pharkurnell on 22/08/2024 - 14:30
    +2

    Wheres the dont give a shit option in the poll?

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 15:34
      -4

      yet you have still voted and commented twice? opposed to kept scrolling? also up and down voted multiple comments bahahah

      • CrowReally on 23/08/2024 - 11:10
        +1

        I've never seen someone repeatedly refer to the amounts of upvotes or downvotes they've either given or received on this site and still give out "one of life's winners" energy. Quite the opposite, really.

        For all your talk of keyboard warriors and people taking things too seriously, you're probably the worst of the lot.

        Things (for other people) to think about, anyway.

  • CaptainJack on 22/08/2024 - 14:33

    Firstly, I can't imagine how dull you have to be to get worked up about this (not directed at OP specifically).

    Secondly, our country is kinda shit. I don't know if the UK is any better, but if I was elite athlete I certainly wouldn't feel any obligation to 'do this country proud' or something like that. If we weren't so shit maybe I would be more patriotic, but yeah… reality is he doesn't owe 'us' anything.

  • jv on 22/08/2024 - 14:42
    +1

    Matthew Richardson Defection to Team Great Britain

    Dusty Martin's Defection to Gold Coast Suns will be worse !!!

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 14:43

      He retired….

      • jv on 22/08/2024 - 14:43

        🤣🤣🤣

        temporarily….

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 14:51

          He wont do a Harwick job……but it would be great drama if he did lol

  • Euphemistic on 22/08/2024 - 14:43
    +4

    This is probably a much bigger story then the media are giving it credit

    Disagree. Its a non story. People move and change as is their whim all the time. Hes just changing employer, just like many of us. Maybe he shouldnt have been competing for Aus anyway becasue he wasnt born here. If he wasnt Olympics level and a real competitor noone would bat an eye.

    Too much 'media storm' in just about everything these days.

    • SBOB on 22/08/2024 - 14:55
      +1

      Too much 'media storm' in just about everything these days.

      got to keep shoveling coal into the rage machine. How else do you fill a 24/7 news cycle with click-bait and outrage engagement content?

    • pharkurnell on 22/08/2024 - 14:56
      +1

      Too much 'media storm' in just about everything these days.

      Agree! and usually about people nobody has ever heard of. like this dude.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 15:06
      -2

      Disagree. Its a non story. People move and change as is their whim all the time. Hes just changing employer, just like many of us. Maybe he shouldnt have been competing for Aus anyway becasue he wasnt born here. If he wasnt Olympics level and a real competitor noone would bat an eye.

      look i dont agree with the 'being born here' plenty of people arent born here consider Australia home but the rest of your point is fair enough, also i do understand he might feel like England his is home although i reckon it is the money and as i said i dont blame him for chasing money

      • altomic on 22/08/2024 - 19:44
        +1

        i reckon it is the money

        that's your belief.

        i dont blame him for chasing money

        then what's with the nationalistic outrage?

        • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 19:49
          -4

          Bro based on your comments yourthe one raging i even admitted some of the wording was off and your still hammering me

          Dead set you got some issue please dont post or comment anything i post again happy for you to block me nutters like you are actually scary ….

          There is disagreeing and then there is just being a straight up d—khead and you kind of crossed the line a few posts back

          Have a good life

  • Benoffie on 22/08/2024 - 15:14
    +5

    Whats the difference between this and a dual citizen getting tertiary training here and then buggering off?

    Actually, no, wait, we have an entire industry built around that.

    I dont see the issue. We should be grateful we got the years we did. He stuck it out until /adulting and now he's doing that. Good on him.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 15:30

      Whats the difference between this and a dual citizen getting tertiary training here and then buggering off?
      Actually, no, wait, we have an entire industry built around that.
      I dont see the issue. We should be grateful we got the years we did. He stuck it out until /adulting and now he's doing that. Good on him.

      it is a fair point - and i never looked at it that way

  • Hufferdun on 22/08/2024 - 15:29
    +1

    We live in a post-national economic zone. What the hell are you "loyal" to, exactly? Insane to call anyone a traitor for paying their interest in a different arbitrary location.

  • foursaken on 22/08/2024 - 15:36

    Unless you know the guy your opinion is of less value than a dog turd. Pull your head in.

  • Zeph101 on 22/08/2024 - 15:51
    +1

    How is this any different from footballers doing the same thing?

    Quite a few have gone to the UK to play after having the training for elite players in Australia. If I remember, if you play for outside of the Australian Rugby Union/super 12s or whatever it is now, they cant play for Australia, is this any different?

  • soan papdi on 22/08/2024 - 17:00
    +3

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sportspeople_who_compe…

    Australia has no problem accepting "traitors" and "defectors" from other nations. Athletes go both ways, who cares.

  • battler on 22/08/2024 - 17:07
    +2

    renumeration

    so, is he going for better money or better numbers?

  • andresampras on 22/08/2024 - 18:10
    +1

    I'm no cycling fan and have never heard of this guy, but if he's already earned 2 Olympic medals for Australia I'd say he's already paid his debt off and then some.

    Hope he continues to do well in the UK.

  • eug on 22/08/2024 - 18:42

    Just to clarify a few people think im out-raged or having ago at the bloke im not (although others have) im actually probably more impartial to his action

    Well when you say things like:

    Im going to say straight out the bloke is a defector and deserves the hate he is getting from Australian fans, the people who trained him to this point have mostly all been blindsighted and probably left hurt.

    and then call him a 'traitor' and 'Judas' and 'I like to think I would stay loyal' and use terms like 'defect', what do you expect people to think?

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 22/08/2024 - 18:58

      fair i changed the language to sound more impartial

      It seems to have come off like I am against him but truth is id probably do the same thing I actually think our domestic athletes and Olympic athletes are mostly under paid by world standards

  • 2esc on 23/08/2024 - 08:47

    Shows how much i care about the Olympics i dont have any idea who he is.

    Actually i cant even be bothered to google him.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 23/08/2024 - 10:54

    Thus on one hand you have a loyalty to those who 'made' you who you are? on the other 'life is short' and 'careers are shorter' you for to put yourself 1st?

    I have absolutely zero loyalty to a place of work. Why? Because that loyalty doesn't go both ways. Look at the mass layoffs and everything that's happened at these "family" based companies. It's all bullshit. Everyone is just out for their own and their family, and that's fine.

    This guy has done nothing different to someone getting trained as a junior at a tech company who then leaves to go to another company.

  • fouhay on 23/08/2024 - 11:18

    If you are being held back from a fair go by internal politics or other bureaucrats who don't believe in you, perhaps you're gonna make a move like this.

    There was a Canadian guy who skied for Australia at the Vancouver Olympics. Jumped ship from Canada because the Canadian Team didn't believe he was capable of winning gold so wouldn't give him a go. So he bailed.

    And won gold for Australia cos he got a chance.

    Extreme situation - I don't believe he had any other ties to Australia, fully took advantage of our passport.

    But perhaps there's a little bit of this at play with the Matthew Richardson situation.

  • greatlamp on 23/08/2024 - 11:38

    He represented Australia in the Olympics and left immediately afterwards. Whatever investment was made in him has had the opportunity to be fulfilled, I think he has been fair, he hasn't lied to anyone and he hasn't taken advantage of training without competing.

    What more do people expect? Lifelong service?

    His goal is to be the best athlete he can be, not represent Australia in the Olympics - a sporting competition rapidly losing prestige. There are far more opportunities to compete in the sport in Europe. I doubt the money is the motivating factor.

  • rossnroller on 23/08/2024 - 12:39

    The poll result speaks volumes about the values people have in these times. Makes me retch.

  • New Chump on 23/08/2024 - 12:54
    +2

    The AIS/relevant sport's governing body should have a clause in its contracts with its Australian athletes that, should the athlete at a later point stop representing Australia and start representing another country in their sport, the athlete is obliged to pay back all money the AIS/Australian government invested in the athlete.

    The Australian taxpayer shouldn't have to foot the bill to train and develop athletes who later consciously decide to represent another country.

  • icekopii on 23/08/2024 - 13:29

    where are the bargains

  • Seni0r El Cheapo on 23/08/2024 - 14:01

    whose Matthew Richardso?

    • us3rnam3tak3n on 23/08/2024 - 14:12
      +1

      Used to play for Richmon

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Richardson_(footballer)

  • parano1a on 23/08/2024 - 14:12
    +1

    So he won't be doing special comments on Friday Night Footy with JB and BT anymore?

  • Winters Claw on 23/08/2024 - 14:35

    If a soccer player or AFL player wanted to change teams the team they were joining would have to purchase them, I don't see how this scenario differs too much from that.

    AU performs very well at the Olympics given our small population due to funding development of future talent in the country more than most countries do. Looks like funding for AU Cyclists comes from the AOC and AusCycling organisations.

    Given AU has at some level had to take a risk on developing him and providing funding for that development I feel like it is only fair that GB should have to pay AU for the cost associated developing Matt to an olympic level.

    GB appears to provide much better incentives for Cyclists than AU once they are at the olympic level and so the switch is logical for Matt but AU should be compensated in someway for helping Matt to reach the levels he has and that money that GB provides for Matt can be used to fund future AU olympians.

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