THIS is one of the biggest events on the Australian sporting calendar and will always have a fine line between respect and money-making showmanship.

There can be no denying Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG on Anzac Day is vital to keeping a significant chapter of Australian cultural-defining history alive, a time that significantly impacted all our communities at the grassroots. Just as importantly, this is a chance for all Australians to reflect on those who continue to defend our nation and way of life.

Were it not for Anzac Day at the 'G, and spin-offs like Richmond-Melbourne on Anzac Eve, there is a chance such sacrifice would be lost or mere folklore to a huge proportion of the population.

Sport is a powerful education tool when done well.

AFL has been a leader on Anzac commemorations for more than two decades.

Anzac Day at the MCG is emotive and sparks wide-spread discussion on the modern significance on what is a solemn occasion. This is not about glorifying war, nor should it be about likening our national game to anything that has played out and continues to play our on our battlefields.

This sets the example for commemorations across our own sporting fields.

Sport can help shape our narrative.

Greater Western Victoria Rebels boys and girls' under-18 football squads will train as one for the first time this season on Anzac Day in Ararat.

There will be a short squad ceremony, featuring one minute's silence and The Last Post, with a chat about what Anzac Day means to them - how does Anzac Day have relevance to their lives and what they stand for.

The Rebels football program draws together players from across Ballarat, Warrnambool, Horsham, the Wimmera, and Camperdown. Most are young leaders in their communities and schools.

What the Rebels say and do matters.

Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said all players are role models among their peers, siblings and towns. Most are the same age or older than young men sent into battle in WWI and WWII.

The aim of the Rebels program has long been for young men and women to leave the club more well-rounded from the experience than when they arrived. This is about far more than AFL and AFLW draftees because the bulk of players in the program will return to grassroots clubs and, importantly, take with them what they have learned in their time with the program, on and off the field.

Leadership in how they continue the Anzac story in both small and big actions will matter in the future of our communities across western Victoria. Even if such action is in living out values of mateship, teamwork, resilience and bravery by attempting to greater understand our past.

Professional American sport pays tributes to its troops in such a powerful, patriotic way - true to their culture - before each sporting match.

We might be more understated, but this is why it is important we get it right across all sporting fields for Anzac rounds. This is how we continue to educate new generations so the lessons we have learned live on.

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Details for Anzac Day services in the Ballarat region here.

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