More than a game

HIGH school footballers from Ballarat and Geelong came together at City Oval for the second annual Respect Cup last week as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.

Held at the City Oval, the headline clash between Loreto College 5. 4 (34) and Sacred Heart College 5. 4 (34) was a draw, following an opener between St Patrick’s College and St Joseph’s College.

St Pat’s 2.12 (24) beat St Joey’s 3.4 (22), and with the highest combined brother-sister school score, the Ballarat institutions will hold the Cup for the next 12 months.

The comp was established by the schools in 2021 to encourage respectful relationships and champion girls and women in sport.

Loreto forward Charli Ross is in her final year of school and said the atmosphere at the ground felt energetic during both games last week.

“Everyone from all schools were cheering us on and yelling at us. We were all a bit nervous, but excited too, so it’s been a good atmosphere,” she said.

“We had a wide variety of girls playing, and lots from younger year levels who will be able to play in the Cup in the future.

“We wore the same jumpers as the St Pat’s boys, and to see them come out and support us has been really good to see.”

Teammate, Loreto Year 12 Beth Hucker has been playing footy for a decade.

Although she was “treated the same as everyone else,” Hucker spent her first five years in the sport playing in one of Mount Clear’s boys’ teams, because opportunities for girls were limited.

“The Respect Cup means a lot, levelling the playing field between men and women, and providing equal opportunities for all,” she said.

“It’s been great to see the boys sticking around today to watch and support us. It’s all inclusive.”

St Patrick’s College captain James Clark came off the field having won a “challenging” contest against St Joey’s who “brought their A-game,” but was prouder to contribute to the “wonderful initiative” between the four schools.

“Being a part of this is something we look forward to. It’s been a fantastic showcase of school football amongst an unbelievable atmosphere, but it’s much more than a football game,” he said.

“We’re here to celebrate International Women’s Day, and champion women in sport. Watching the main game of Loreto versus Sacred Heart really gets us cheering, and is what we’re emphasising today.”