Respect Cup comp returns

THE football games all about respect are returning to Mars Stadium next Wednesday.

The Respect Cup sees Loreto College Ballarat take on Sacred Heart College from Geelong to mark International Women’s Day and to promote respectful relationships.

A match between St Patrick’s College Ballarat and St Joseph’s College Geelong will be the curtain raiser to the main event.

This year is Loreto’s first time hosting the cup which was first played in 2021 and current team captain Bella Davis has been involved with the initiative since the inaugural game.

“It’s always something that I really look forward to as I was fortunate to be a part of the very first year as a year 9 player,” she said.

“It’s nice to have some home support, as much as we do like going down to GMHBA stadium, we’re really proud to be able to host it this year and put on a really good show.”

Davis said the game has an important message for the community.

“Having the event highlights that Loreto values building respectful relationships between all four schools and not only that but that they want young women and men to feel supported in whatever they do,” she said.

“It’s important that we have those conversations and that through football everyone is able to unite.”

The winner of the Respect Cup will be decided by the combined score of the boys’ and girls’ teams from each regional centre.

Sacred Heart College team captain Alyssa Bolger said the event showcases how far women’s footy has come.

“This is a really important event which not only showcases women in footy, but also that it is a male dominated sport which has developed,” she said.

“It shows that women can do just as much as men can so if given the same opportunities.”

Gates will open for the event held Wednesday 6 March from 10.30am, with the boys’ match to begin at 11am and the girls’ at 1pm.

Entry to the matches is free.

Alyssa Bolger and Mekah Morrissy from Sacred Heart and Noah Coracella and Lachie Juques of St Joseph’s are ready to play with respect this Wednesday.