Respect reigns supreme as Geelong secures Women’s Day win

THE Respect Cup is staying in Geelong for the next year following Sacred Heart College’s impressive display at GMHBA Stadium last week against Loreto College.

An unlikely 45 to 45 tie in the boys’ curtain raiser game between St Joseph’s College and St Patrick’s College set up the girls’ main event game to be an intense contest, but it was the Geelong-based school that walked away with the 5.9.39 to 2.6.18 win on International Women’s Day (IWD).

Girls football coach Anthony Petkovic said both sides showed immense ability on the day, representative of how far the Respect Cup has developed leading up to its third edition last Wednesday.

“It was a much more even game than the scoreline suggests, we were just able to be more creative with the ball,” Mr Petkovic said.

“The courage, the endeavour, the application of both teams was very similar, but we managed to stay a bit more composed and skilled in moving the ball forward.

“All the players were extremely excited to play on the ground at Kardinia Park, and they got a real buzz out of the support they got from the crowd.”

The event, which is decided by the combined totals of both games, aims to emphasise sport as integral to the local community and social connections, while celebrating the common interest of AFL football between the genders.

Pastural care worker at Sacred Heart and “first-time MC” Michelle Abbott said the Respect Cup purposefully places the women’s game at the marquee portion of the program, shifting the traditional format of a female curtain-raiser contest to their male counterparts.

“It’s not just about female football, it’s not just about International Women’s Day, it’s about making them the focus, and it’s important to highlight that,” she said.

“Female footballers in community sport particularly see a huge gender inequality. For instance they play on Sunday, for instance they play on sub-par grounds, they don’t get the first choice of a training session.

“The Respect Cup continues to shine a light on that and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Sacred Heart deputy principal Justin Blackburn said the students played a huge role in running the day, from producing video presentations throughout the day, to highlighting the significance of IWD, and sharing personal experiences.

“Post-game, all four schools went to the St Mary’s Football Club rooms for presentations,” Mr Blackburn said.

“Students from all four teams spoke of the importance of the match, IWD, and sports equality, and I can safely say these students are more than footballers.

“They spoke with tremendous articulation, none of their teachers assisted with the speeches, and they certainly achieved more than just a scoreline on the day.”

Next year’s Respect Cup will take place in Ballarat before returning to Geelong in 2025.