School footy comp promotes respectful relationships

THE competition all about respect is returning for another year, with Ballarat’s Loreto College and St Patrick’s College taking on Geelong’s Sacred Heart College and St Joseph’s College.

The annual Respect Cup will be played at GMHBA Stadium on Wednesday 19 March to highlight International Women’s Day and the importance of respectful relationships.

The cup was first played in 2021 with the aim of acknowledging that everyone can make a difference towards achieving gender equality.

This year’s theme is ‘march forward’ and the event is aligned with the United Nations International Women’s Day initiative.

The Respect Cup will be awarded to the brother-sister schools with the highest combined score.

The match between St Patrick’s College and St Joseph’s College is the curtain-raiser to the women’s game, and Loreto College Ballarat team member Tilly said this is a great way to promote equality.

“Our game is the main game so the fact that the boys play first and then ours is I feel like a bigger thing that promotes equality more than if they were to play the headline game,” she said.

“It’s good that schools from Geelong and girls’ and boys’ schools can come together to play for more than just winning the game, to play for respectful relationships.”

Sacred Heart team vice-captain Jayde encouraged the community to go to the game and support women in sport.

“I think it’s a great chance to get everyone together to cheer for both the teams and recognise why it’s such an important day,” she said.

“It reminds everyone that in AFL and sport in general, men and women are equal, and we always have something to bring to the table.”

The Respect Cup will begin at 1.30pm and admission is free. To register to attend visit trybooking.com/events/landing/1366962 .