Redlands United Football Club has joined with the Zonta Club of Wynnum Redland to raise awareness of domestic and family violence in Queensland.
Redlands United will be hosting a charity match with Zonta Club of Wynnum Redland on Saturday May 27, when their under 18s, Youth and Senior PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland teams face Sunshine Coast FC Fire.
May is Queensland’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the month will raise community awareness of domestic and family violence while also sending a clear message that this type of violence will not be tolerated.
Zonta International is the leading global organisation empowering women worldwide and want to see a world in which no woman or girl lives in fear of violence.
Zonta Club of Wynnum Redlands president Deb Kellie said the charity match would demonstrate that Redlands United joined Zonta in saying no to violence.
“Zonta International and our local Zonta Club are committed to working towards the realisation of a world in which there in no violence against women and children,” Dr Kellie said.
“This match will focus those involved with the football club on the role that we all must play in winning against the insidious opponent of family violence,” she said.
The Australian Institute of Criminology reported in 2015 on average, at least one woman a week was killed by a former or current partner.
Domestic and family violence is also the principal cause of homelessness for women and their children in Australia.
Last year the theme of Queensland’s Domestic Violence and Prevention month was – “Don’t let your concern become regret – Trust your instinct”.
The idea behind the catchphrase was to encourage onlookers or bystanders to engage in preventing violence and not ignore it as it was rare for a person’s gut instinct to be wrong.
“Taking action is a big step but it’s one that we all need to be open to taking,” Dr Kellie said.
The Zonta Club of Wynnum Redland will be at the game raising funds to help in their endeavours to empower women and their children in the local Wynnum Redland area.
Funds in the past have been put into domestic violence refuges and advisory services.
Currently, they are making connections with the Redlands Centre for Women and local High Schools for programs specifically aimed at teenage women around the topic of healthy and respectful relationships.
Redlands PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland team will wear orange socks during their match against Sunshine Coast FC to show their support for Zonta.
Redlands United face Sunshine Coast FC Fire on Saturday 27 May from 3pm at the Cleveland Showgrounds.
Redlands will be well rested ahead of their next match on May 13 against having had a bye on May 6.
