The GIANTS were fortunate to spend time with Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly on Friday morning during Captain's Run at the SCG.
Our Watch is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2013 that is a leader in the prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia.
Across round eight, all 18 AFL clubs will come together in a coordinated statement this weekend condemning violence against women. Players, senior coaches and umpires will come together to pay a silent tribute to those women who have lost their lives.
The GIANTS’ playing group have also decided to use part of their AFLPA donation to contribute to Our Watch - a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. The playing group has also undertaken respect and responsibility training from Our Watch earlier this year.
Kinnersly spoke extensively about the importance of stopping violence against women and starting conversations about the issue as we strive to for a better tomorrow. She also spoke about the role that men, and particularly role models like the GIANTS, can play in contributing to the conversation.
Kinnersly explained why it is so vital to ensure the conversation continues well beyond one round.
“Some people will say that’s just window dressing, but it’s a lot more than that,” Ms Kinnersly said.
“A whole industry of athletes, particularly during the AFL men’s season, standing together and saying we’re not happy with what’s happening with violence against women in this country.
“That’s really important and I personally as a person who has been a leader in this space for a long time know it is.”
GIANTS CEO David Matthews also reinforced that the club will to continue working with Our Watch to influence their wider community.
“It was fantastic to work with Patty and Our Watch this week and it’s only the start of ongoing conversations between Our Watch and the GIANTS and what we can do to help in this space," Mr Matthews said.
“What’s happening in society at the moment is a true horror and we have to stand up and we have to do more.
“We have a unique platform to be leaders and to say enough is enough.
“Our Watch has been doing incredible work with the AFL for over a decade now, our players have received ongoing training around respectful relationships and we want to continue our club’s strong track record of positively impacting our communities and influencing change.
“In the current circumstances, it was important to hear from Patty to reinforce their work and think further about our respective roles.”
Coach Adam Kingsley thanked Ms Kinnersly for spending time with the playing group.
“We need to make sure we continue to have those conversations,” he said.
“Not only within our group but also externally wherever we can.
“It’s an enormous issue in this society that we live in and we need to fix it. It's not good enough and as I said, the GIANTS will do everything that we possibly can to help.”
