A junior rugby league club and a well-known local charity have joined forces ahead of Women in League Round this weekend.
Brothers Penrith Junior Rugby League Club and The Haven – Nepean Women’s Shelter have announced a collaboration in support of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.
Together, they are spearheading efforts to raise awareness and funds while celebrating Women in League Round this Saturday, May 11 at Parker Street Reserve.
Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month serves as a critical platform for fostering community awareness and dialogue surrounding domestic and family violence. The collaboration between The Haven and Brothers aims to harness the power of sport to champion this important cause and drive change.
The Women in League Round presents an opportunity for the local community to come together, encourage female participation in football, and rally support for survivors of domestic violence.
With approximately 44 women and 113 children benefiting from The Haven’s services each year, the impact of this partnership is profound.
During this weekend matches, players from Brothers will proudly wear special edition pink jerseys featuring The Haven logo. Supporters have the opportunity to join in solidarity by purchasing a jersey or contributing donations on the day.
Notably, Brothers’ involvement spans across 30 teams participating; and the community’s support has led to the sale of over 550 jerseys – an immense effort from the Brothers community and beyond, rallying behind this meaningful and prominent cause.
The Haven Chair Sharon Levy emphasised the importance of male leadership in combating domestic violence.
“We need our leaders to use their influence now more than ever,” she said.
“When men within male-dominated organisations stand against domestic violence, the impact is profound.
“We need to leverage this influence to foster positive change and create a safer Penrith community for all of us.”
Brothers Penrith President Troy Cooper echoed Levy’s sentiment, emphasising the club’s commitment to inclusivity and safety.
“Women and girls in sport are crucial to the success of the Brothers club as are all female family members who support their young footy players, driving them to training and games and volunteering to help keep the club running,” he said.
“The Women in League Round is about honouring the females both on and off the field. By collaborating with The Haven, we’re also sending a clear message that domestic and family violence is never acceptable.
“Our players serve as ambassadors for positive change both on and off the field.”
This weekend’s event will not only raise funds for The Haven, but also ignite crucial conversations and inspire collective action to break the cycle of domestic violence.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.