Geelong, Carlton playing for a cause

WHEN Carlton and Geelong go head-to-head at the MCG on Friday night (June 21), both teams will be playing for more than AFL premiership points: they’ll be playing for an important cause.

The Round 15 clash marks the ninth annual Carlton Respects event, an initiative of the Carlton Football Club launched in 2016 in response to the statistics surrounding family violence with one woman, on average, being killed every week by a current or former partner.

The initiative, backed by research identifying sport as an effective vehicle to influence, inform and shape attitudes, strives for a future free from violence and supports respect and equality in the community.

Carlton chief executive and former Geelong CEO Brian Cook said the initiative highlighted the clubs’ commitment to “playing a role in achieving gender equality” and “helping to create a safe and respectful society for all women”.

“Gender-based violence is preventable, and we acknowledge the large platform we have and the important role we play in raising awareness on such an important issue.”

For every goal kicked at tonight’s game, AHB Group will donate $1,000 to Carlton Respects, with all funds raised supporting the delivery and expansion of the initiative’s Road to Respect program.

Offered via a free digital learning platform and a face-to-face program, Road to Respect is targeted towards primary school students in Grades 3-6, encouraging participants to form respectful relationships, manage their emotions, seek help and challenge pre-existing gender stereotypes.

Collectively, Carlton and Geelong kicked 33 goals during their match in Round 7. If replicated tonight, this would mean AHB Group would donate $30,000.

“The Carlton Respects program is one that we feel deeply passionate about; it has the capabilities to influence the next generation and that is pretty powerful,” AHB Group founder and director Charles Agius said.

“Although a die-hard Carlton supporter, it is one of the only games where I will be actively encouraging Geelong to kick as many goals as they can as it will all be going to a great cause.”

Several additional corporate sponsors will donate to Carlton Respects based on the number of goals kicked tonight, including Anaconda and Hyundai, while Bupa will donate $1 for every person who attends the match.

At quarter time, Carlton will also host its first ‘Race for Respect’, a relay race around the ground with teams comprised of celebrities, children involved in the Road to Respect education program and club sponsors.

“The AFL Carlton Respects Game will help raise further awareness for the social cause and funds for our school program, available for free to schools nationwide,” Mr Cook said.

“As a society, we have a collective responsibility to step up and stop it at the start, which is why our school program is so important.”

To date, the Road to Respect program has been delivered to more than 9,200 students with the aim of reaching 27,000 students across the nation by 2027.

For more information, or to donate, head to carltonrespects.com.au

If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, phone 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au