The Domestic Violence Awareness Round Shield Challenge was formed by the Murgon Mustangs Junior Rugby League Club and supported by the Cherbourg Hornets Rugby League Club to bring the two communities together on an issue that affects us all.
Through sport, the South Burnett community can tackle domestic violence and support the local sporting clubs which are run by volunteers.
It can also show the senior and junior members what a great club can do and what is acceptable behaviour in the community.
On Saturday, May 20, Murgon held the event which was also promoted as a family fun day with rides and activities for all to enjoy while emphasizing the message, “there is no excuse for domestic abuse”.
The club was also able to showcase girls in rugby league with the Under 14s to Under 18s female Sunshine Coast teams playing the local South Burnett teams.
It was a highlight of the event and was well received by all that attended.
The Murgon and Cherbourg captains with the Domestic Violence Awareness Round Shield
The Murgon club has great ideas for the future of the event.
It was never considered a one-off and is vital for our community to get a strong message out each year in the month of May which is National Domestic Violence Awareness month.
The initiative should also be used as a template for all sporting clubs around the country and supported by the QRL and NRL as a great initiative for the game and country.
Our event sponsors played a vital role helping us fulfill what we set out to achieve and should be acknowledged for the support: James Giles Plumbing, Westlink Petroleum, Original Hair by Gina, South Burnett CTC, Lives Lived Well, Uniting Care Queensland, the Mudjimba Women's Safe House and various Queensland Government departments including Communities, Child Safety, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
Getting businesses and organisations involved gives the message a backbone and engages the whole community.
The Domestic Violence Awareness Round Shield Challenge was a huge success for the club and the feedback received shows that this event is respected and needed.
Everyone involved had a lot of fun and are excited to see next year’s event to ensure domestic violence is an issue that is dealt with each and every year.
