You don't have to do it if you don't feel like it's good for you,” he said. “I would say to any young athlete or any young person that there is no law about coming out. However, despite feeling a mix of happiness and relief since coming out, he insists that others should only do the same when they feel it is the right time. Johnstone is trying to make sport, and society, a more accepting place of everyone’s sexual orientation. It's brutal, and that’s why we love it,” he continued.Ĭampbell Johnstone (L) and legendary French scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili celebrate after Biarritz score in the 2010 Heineken Cup semi final in San Sebastian, Spain. “We don't ever want to go away from the fact that on the field it’s full-on combat. “I wanted to open this door and create a new, caring environment, built on respect.”īut rather than change the fundamental image of the sport, he wants to build upon it to make it an even more inclusive place. “I’ve been telling the players that if you're open to each other's communication and are aware of what your teammates or your colleagues are going through off the field, it makes your team environment a lot stronger, because it is it that that point of caring and knowing each other, and building trust. The same clubs, ironically, that Johnstone thought may not appreciate him coming out during his career. The Waipukurau native constantly receives messages on social media from people who have taken strength from his courage, from journalists wanting to hear more, and from rugby clubs wanting him to speak to their players. Johnstone’s phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since his powerful interview. Campbell Johnstone: “I want create a new, caring environment, built on respect.”
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