The Wimmera Football League and Wimmera Netball Association teams will unite to support the White Ribbon cause to combat violence against women. 

The teams will don white armbands and special white footballs will be used to raise awareness around domestic violence. 

Stawell Football Netball Club president Debbie Bach said her club and the Horsham Saints have developed a bond through this round.

“The White Ribbon round is something that we want to support along with Horsham Saints,” she said.

“It is a great opportunity to raise awareness around such an important issue.”

The Warriors originally planned for a luncheon to be held on Saturday, which has been cancelled, but Bach said there will be other ways the club will raise awareness on the day.

“We will be selling merchandise and running fundraising activities to raise money,” Bach said.

“We will be giving the money locally to families in need that have been affected.”

AFL Wimmera-Mallee general manager Steve McQueen said it has been terrific how the day has grown.

“The round originally started with just Stawell and Horsham Saints helping the initiative develop,” he said.

“Now we have awareness games across the league, with the Stawell and Horsham Saints match running as a feature game.

“It is something that we as a league feel quite strongly about and feel the need to support to attempt to eradicate domestic violence.”

The Saints wore a specially designed jumper for last years game, but will wear their normal jumpers this year for Stawell’s home match.

“Our players will be wearing the white armbands and our committee will be wearing our White Ribbon shirts,” Saints president Mick Morris said.

“It amazes me that we still hear stories about domestic violence in this day and age.

“That tells us that there is a lot of work to be done and occasions like these are just steps towards ending domestic violence.”