FEMALES will be a special focus in the Ballarat Football Netball League on Saturday.
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The BFNL is celebrating its annual “Women in Football” round in partnership with the White Ribbon Foundation.
All senior footballers and A grade netballers will wear white armbands in support of the White Ribbon Foundation.
Clubs will also invite a female member to join senior football captains for the toss of the coin at the start of each match.
BFNL operations manager Aaron Nunn said the round was dedicated to highlighting and recognising the important role women played in country football and netball.
“There is a vast number of females involved in every aspect of the game, whether it’s playing, umpiring, coaching or working in a variety of other capacities.
“No matter what the role, everyone is working towards a common goal and that is to grow and improve female involvement in the game,” he said.
Nunn said the BFNL had worked hard to raise the awareness of the pivotal role women played in football.
He said the partnership with the White Ribbon Foundation also allowed the BFNL to raise awareness with regard to domestic violence, and make a stance against violent acts against women.
Nunn said the “Women in Football” round highlighted the role the White Ribbon Foundation played in recognising the positive role men played in preventing violence women and driving male leadership and engagement in violence prevention – based on the understanding that most men are not violent.
The BFNL launches the round with its bi-annual “Women in Football” tribute lunch at the Ballarat Leagues Club on Friday. This was first held in 2011 and again in 2013.
A special panel for the luncheon will feature Western Bulldogs vice-president Dr Susan Alberti, Australian netball great Eloise Southby, AFL goal umpire Chelsea Roffey, international netballer Liz Watson, and Ballarat sportswomen Kaitlyn Ashmore (football) and Kellie McLeod (football umpiring).
Money raised will go to the White Ribbon Foundation.
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