Sport
9 May, 2024
Message clear for both Newstead and Maldon
The importance of stopping violence against women has become a national emergency, particularly close to home, and for Newstead and Maldon Football Netball Clubs, Saturday’s game is about sending a message that it has to stop. The Kangaroos will...
The importance of stopping violence against women has become a national emergency, particularly close to home, and for Newstead and Maldon Football Netball Clubs, Saturday’s game is about sending a message that it has to stop.
The Kangaroos will be spreading the importance of preaching the message, particularly to their young junior footballers, that violence against women will be stopped, and will be creating a number of initiatives for tomorrow’s game to spread the message.
All lines at the ground will be painted purple, while players from both teams will also wear purple armbands.
Both teams will also come together before the senior football and netball games to stand together and pay respects to women who have recently lost their lives as a result of male violence.
For Newstead president Mark Leckey, he says it was important to stand for this message as soon as possible.
“To have something so tragic so close to home in Ballarat is something that is highlighted as a major issue in the community. It’s not just about domestic violence, it’s about violence against women in general, it’s not just physical, but mental as well. It’s something that is not okay,” he said.
“When I spoke to Jamie Cox, the president of Maldon, I said it was a great initiative for us to stand together and show that our local communities highlight that it is not okay.”
The recent murders of Ballarat resident Samantha Murphy and Clunes resident Hannah McGuire has shocked the community, particularly the sporting community, with McGuire and her family particularly close to the Clunes Cricket Club, while brother Jude also plays football for Talbot, who observed a minute’s silence in the clash with Avoca last month prior to their meeting in round two.
For Leckey, it was a no-brainer to send a message to all who attend tomorrow.
“Our initiative is coming out of what has been happening for many years, but with the recent things in Clunes, Ballarat and surrounding areas, and with in excess of 24 women who have died because of abuse, it’s time that communities like Newstead and Maldon can do what they do through a community sport like football,” he said.
“We came up with the concept that we would paint our lines with purple this week, wear purple armbands, and that is a mark of respect for those who have been affected by tragic violence, and violence against women in general.
“We want to make sure our young footballers and our community understand that what is going on is not okay.
“We’ll come together and stand together as one, football and netball, in the centre of the field prior to the senior football and netball, and conduct a minute of silence for those who have lost their lives due to this violence, or have been affected.
“It’s a way of being part of our community that can show that respect. I look forward to Saturday and hope that everyone embraces the day we put forward.”
It’s part of the continued message that Leckey wants to send that all members of his club should be treated equally.
“In my tenure as president, I have always maintained that we have a very horizontal and vertical view of both genders, male and female, and adult to children. It’s important that we work responsibly as representatives and treat all people as equals. They are an equal part of the sporting community,” he said.
“I’m old school, but what we see today is not okay. We have to take a stand against it, and as communities, we have to show we aren’t accepting it, and things have to change.
“It’s something that I look forward to and I think it’s a real talking point on Saturday, that people will see the ground is marked up differently and our club wearing purple armbands.
“I’m grateful of Jamie and Maldon for jumping on board without hesitation.
“It’s not about me or Jamie, it’s about us as clubs communicating the importance of this and making sure that we are teaching our younger generation that times have to change.”