A strip of orange tape will unite four Gippsland football and netball clubs this weekend in a bid to end violence against women and children.
The Gippsland League grand final rematch between Leongatha and Traralgon, and the East Gippsland Football Netball League fixture between Boisdale-Briagolong and Lucknow, have been dedicated to Orange Round.
The concept is an adaptation of the United Nations initiative, “Orange Day”, which occurs on the 25th day of every month and aims to raise awareness of the issue and drive meaningful change in societal attitudes and behaviours.
Violence against women and children occurs in Australia at an alarming rate and Gippsland is no exception.
Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault senior clinician prevention and education Claire Stanley believes the sporting community can play a role in stopping this violence from occurring.
“The idea behind this initiative is to encourage members of the community to make the link between gender inequality and men’s violence against women and start a local conversation about this important social issue,” Stanley said.
“We want sporting clubs to become champions of change and use the influence they have in the community to speak out and stop men’s violence against women and children in Gippsland.”
As well as football and netball teams wearing orange armbands, each participating club is hosting an information session for its players and support staff, run by project partners Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault, Gippsland Women’s Health and GippSport.
Orange wrist bands promoting the Orange Round message of ‘respect, dignity and equality’ will also be available at venues on game day.
