Ex-AFL star Gilbert McAdam will once again be a central figure in the KDFNL’s ‘Say No To Violence’ Round this weekend as he attends the Ardmona v Tallygaroopna feature match to be played at Ardmona Recreation Reserve in partnership with the Hume Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group (HIFVRAG).
The initiative, now in its sixth year, sees clubs sharing in the motto of “You can’t shake a hand with a closed fist” and aims to raise awareness about violence and in an attempt to prevent, reduce and respond to violence in the Indigenous and greater communities throughout the region.
This year’s event will be further supported with a function at the Sir Ian McLennan Centre on Wednesday 4 July featuring KDFNL clubs, partners and community leaders with a focus on ‘Acknowledging Men and Celebrating Women’ and their contribution to community and community football and netball.
As well as a lead in to NAIDOC week the function will also launch the special commemorative netball dresses and football jumpers that Ardmona and Tallygaroopna will be wearing on Saturday. Both the dresses and jumpers have been designed by local indigenous artists involved in each club.
Hume IFVRAG’s Co Chairs Jonathon Henderson and Aunty Alice Solomon view sport as a key vehicle for their community based messages.
“The KDFNL sporting arena is the perfect opportunity to target many Indigenous players and their families in rural areas, while covering a large majority of the region the Action Group operates in” Jonathon Henderson said.
“The aim is to reduce, prevent, engage and assist our communities, working together to develop partnerships and strategies which will create a future free from violence within our relationships, families and communities as a whole.”
“The Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group takes this opportunity to thank the KDFNL and its affiliated clubs for their commitment with this initiative” added Aunty Alice Solomon.
At each game Senior Football and A Grade Netballers will line up opposite each other for a player address and to shake hands prior to the commencement of the game.
After the Senior football and A Grade netball is finished all football players will assemble for the umpires to announce the player that displayed the great sportsmanship on the day. The awarded player will receive a gift voucher and a specially commissioned commemorative indigenous football and netball.
KDFNL President Wayne Ryan urges all members of the football netball community to Say No To Violence. “The League is proud to be associated with this initiative and our ongoing involvement recognises the role of the football and netball community to promote responsible behaviour both on and off field” he said.
Event Details: Event: ‘Say No To Violence’ Round and NAIDOC week launch Date: Wednesday 4 July 2018 Venue: Sir Ian McLennan Centre, Mooroopna Time: 7:00pm
Event: ‘Say No To Violence’ feature match Ardmona v Tallygaroopna Gilbert McAdam to read the ‘Say No To Violence’ player address Venue: Ardmona Recreation Reserve Time: 2:00pm
Other games on this day supporting the ‘Say No To Violence’ message are Nagambie v Lancaster, Stanhope v Murchison-Toolamba, Violet Town v Merrigum.
Last Modified on 04/07/2018 14:17