By PETER DOUGLAS
AS local football heats up in the region, an invaluable information resource has been delivered to club coaches, called ‘Be the Change!’
Initiated through Yarra Ranges Shire, Inspiro and Eastern Health, the idea is to help coaches to encourage respectful relationships between male footballers and women.
The resource has been designed for local coaches as part of the YOU&I project, a Yarra Ranges Shire initiative that focuses on raising awareness of gender equality and respect among youth to prevent violence against women.
Inspiro chief executive officer Karyn McPeake said coaches had great influence over the lives of young men.
“Football coaches are in a unique position where they can have a positive influence on the health and wellbeing of young people, and contribute to a positive culture within community football clubs,” she said.
“‘Be The Change!’ highlights practical approaches for coaches and football clubs in raising awareness of this form of violence.”
The resource will be provided to all local football clubs coaches in the Yarra Ranges and made available for others.
Eastern Health senior health promotion officer Josette O’Donnell said Eastern Health was proud to partner with Inspiro, Yarra Ranges Council and Women’s Health East on the project.
Meanwhile, the initiative follows in the footsteps of the Ferntree Gully District Cricket Association, which last season helped to boost the accountability of sporting clubs when it comes to reducing domestic violence.
Through its pilot program, Communities Against Domestic Violence, the initiative featured a series of informative events designed to spread the anti-domestic violence message among young men, and culminated in a feature match.
Recently released crime statistics from Victoria Police showed an all-too familiar story, not only for the state but the Yarra Ranges.
Family violence incidents increased in the region from 1374 to 1490, a rise of 8.4 per cent.
