Netball NSW has joined forces with leading sporting organisations and the NSW Government as part of a new whole-of-sport partnership dedicated to preventing domestic, family and sexual violence.
The Multi-Sport Coalition, officially launched this week, brings together professional sports clubs, State Sporting Organisations, industry stakeholders and the NSW Government to use the power and influence of sport to drive cultural change and progress gender equality.
The Minns Labor Government has committed more than $500,000 over the next three years to support the Coalition, which will deliver initiatives to raise awareness and shift community attitudes towards domestic, family and sexual violence.
The Coalition will be chaired by NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner, Dr Hannah Tonkin, with Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly and Sport NSW CEO Stuart Hodge appointed as key partners.
Netball NSW has proudly signed on as a foundation member, with Trish Crews, Executive General Manager – Communities, joining fellow Netball NSW leaders Jeremy Butler, Executive General Manager at the NSW Swifts, and Tim Underwood, Executive General Manager at the Giants, as official signatories.
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, said:
“Sport is part of the fabric of communities across NSW and sporting organisations, both amateur and professional, can play a powerful role in influencing community attitudes.
“The NSW Government is working together with sporting organisations, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place for domestic, family or sexual violence in our society.
“This partnership is about using the influence of sport to drive cultural change and build a safer NSW for women and children.”
Trish Crews, Executive General Manager – Communities at Netball NSW, said the organisation is committed to using its reach and voice to help make a difference.
“Netball is one of the most inclusive sports in Australia, played and loved by people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. As the leading and largest sport for women and girls in Australia we recognise the important role we can play in promoting safe, respectful and equitable communities.”
She added that the Coalition provides an opportunity for collaboration across the sporting sector.
“By standing together with our colleagues across sport, we can amplify the message that violence has no place in our society. Netball NSW is proud to work alongside government and fellow sporting bodies to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours and create lasting change.”
The Coalition forms part of the NSW Government’s Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024–2028, which was launched last year. The strategy, backed by $38 million in the 2024/25 Budget, aims to address the drivers of violence by working with communities, schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and local organisations.
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