By JARROD POTTER
BERWICK blue, Pakenham maroon and Narre North teal… the colours that more than define the South East Juniors competition week-to-week. But there will be one more colour that will stand out most of all this round.
White will be predominantly shown across the league on Friday and Sunday as junior football clubs take a stand against violence towards women.
Around 50 captains and coaches from around the league united on Friday in a show of support for the White Ribbon campaign – which encourages men of all ages to pledge a promise to “never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women”.
The players and coaches were encouraged to take the White Ribbon pledge back to their clubs and spread the message to ensure this scourge of our community doesn’t take root in the next generation.
Games across the weekend will be played with a white ball and players are encouraged to take the pledge as part of their game-day activities.
South East Juniors club development officer Nathan Phillips believed the message needs to be active at younger ages in the football community to really enhance the cause.
“I think the key for this round is instilling in the young men and women’s minds that each and every person can make a difference,” Phillips said.
“Instead of just expecting someone else to do it… if you can do it you can create that awareness and set the culture at your own club.
“As a league we’re trying to put it into their minds a lot earlier – rather than at 18 or 19 (years) when they’re already men, we want them to know at a younger age what is right and wrong a lot earlier.
“It’s great to get awareness out into the local community and see that so many of our young players were willing to do it… to make sure that football is not just football and it takes a back seat to the key message of this round.”
The message is sinking in, as SEJ captains from under-13s to under-17s learned its necessary to work together – just like on the footy field – to stop this generational crisis continuing in their lifetimes.
“Learning to create awareness – that together as a community, if we work together we can put an end to it,” Cranbourne captain Jesse said.
South East Juniors White Ribbon Day will be Sunday 2 August. For more information, visit the league website www.southeastjuniors.com.au.
