BFNL players join 72,000 taking a stand against violence

BENDIGO Football Netball League general manager Tom King says focus around the league this weekend will shift far beyond the field of battle.

The league will again throw its support behind Pat Cronin Foundation Round.

The annual round is dedicated to honouring the life of Pat Cronin and aims to raise awareness to prevent coward punch attacks.

The scale of the event has more than doubled in the past two years, with 3000 teams from seven football-netball leagues across Victoria set to take the field in memory of Cronin, whose life was tragically cut short by a coward punch in 2016.

An estimated 72,000 footballers, netballers and umpires will lend their support to the cause this weekend.

Participants in all BFNL games will wear yellow armbands – the official colour of the foundation.

The highlight of the round will be Saturday’s eight marquee football and netball matches at Triple M Park between Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square.

Both the Storm and Bulldogs will be looking for their first senior football and A-grade netball wins for the season.

This is the fourth time the BFNL has participated in the round.

King said the yellow armbands would serve as a reminder of the importance of emotional control both on and off the field.

“Partnering with the Pat Cronin Foundation reflects the Bendigo Football Netball League’s commitment to fostering respectful, safe, and supportive environments both on and off the field,” he said.

“Together, we’re empowering our clubs and communities with the knowledge and tools to stand up against violence and make a real difference.”

Foundation director Matt Cronin – the father of Pat – said it was humbling to see how far the round had come.

“When my wife Robyn and I launched the foundation, we wanted to turn Pat’s story into something meaningful, so that no other family would have to go through what we went endured,” he said.

“We never imagined it would grow like this.”

A promising footballer with Lower Plenty Bears, Pat was just 19 when he was struck from behind while coming to the aid of a mate involved in a scuffle during a night out in Melbourne.

Although he was walking and talking immediately after the blow, he succumbed to a brain bleed. His family was forced to make the agonising decision to turn off his life support two days later.

“The round is about showing young people that violence isn’t strength and we’re incredibly grateful to leagues such as the BNFL for helping us to share these messages,” Cronin said.

“The armbands aren’t just a symbol. They’re a conversation starter and a step towards changing attitudes.”

For more on the round, visit patcroninfoundation.org.au/pcf-round. More sport from page 27.