THE Stawell Warriors and Horsham Saints will be the marque clash in this weekend’s White Ribbon Round as the region’s clubs raise funds and awareness about domestic violence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This weekend marks the sixth annual White Ribbon Round with the Warriors hosting the important game.
Warriors president Tim Williams said the day had significance both on and off the field.
“We are more than happy to hold a day of such significance,” he said.
“It is a great chance to raise awareness for domestic violence and to help stamp out such a terrible thing in our society.
“The off-field significance of the day is just as big as the on-field significance.”
Mr Williams said the game had become a tradition between the two Wimmera league clubs.
“It is a great initiative and we are really happy to play a part in it,” he said.
"It has become a great tradition to play the Saints in every White Ribbon Round.”
Horsham’s Simon O’Brien, a White Ribbon advocate and domestic violence survivor, has been speaking at multiple clubs throughout the season to share her story about the effects of domestic violence.
Horsham Saints president Mick Morris said the conversations surrounding domestic violence were important.
“It’s ramping up a bit and I think Simone O’Brien will be down there and doing some speaking,” he said.
“Her journey has progressed and she is doing a great job with schools and football and netball clubs.
“It’s important and violence against women in any shape or form needs to be stamped out.”
Mr Morris said football and netball clubs provided a great vehicle for spreading messages.
“There’s a broad spectrum of ages in football and netball clubs,” he said.
“Us in the older generation are able to help show the younger generation the right way to go about things.”
“It’s great for us to talk to our younger people and show them how to go about things.”
The White Ribbon Round also coincides with an AFL Victoria initiative encouraging people not to think that sport and gambling needs to go together.
Titled the Love the Game campaign, AFL Victoria has teamed up with the Victorian Responsible Gambling foundation.
All 10 Victorian AFL clubs, state league competitions, 23 community leagues and clubs around the state will take part in the round this weekend.