Summer may be just around the corner but Spotless Stadium will well and truly become a winter wonderland this Friday as fans unite in the fight against violence by donning the white away strip.
The Round 8 clash against Brisbane Roar marks the clubs fifth annual White Ribbon Day Match and it holds special significance for local boy and White Ribbon Ambassador Brendan Hamill.
Hamill, who was raised in Chipping Norton, believes that his connection to the fans and the local community is important in spreading the message about the rates of domestic violence against women.
The reality that one in three women in Australia has experienced violence from a man remains a shocking statistic and one that both Hamill and the club are committed to tackling through the White Ribbon campaign.
Tickets to Friday night’s Wanderers White Ribbon match are available now from Ticketmaster.com.au
This is the second year Hamill has taken on the role of White Ribbon Ambassador for the club and he says it’s an easy cause for him and the rest of the team to get behind.
“White Ribbon is a cause that the club and I are very passionate about,” said Hamill.
“We have to raise awareness about this cause: last year the club and fans got behind it magnificently and we’re hoping to do the same this Friday.”
“This is my second year being an ambassador, I’m very passionate about White Ribbon and I want to use my position as an elite athlete to create as much awareness as I can and get the message out there that violence against women is rubbish.”
25 November marks both White Ribbon Day and the International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women with hundreds of events including tonight’s match at Spotless Stadium taking place all over Australia.
Find out more about the White Ribbon message www.whiteribbon.org.au
The White Ribbon campaign recognises the importance of bringing men into the conversation about domestic violence and the central place men have in promoting and achieving social change.
This is especially true of many of the fans of the club who Blacktown City Mayor Cr Stephen Bali hopes will take on the message and get involved in creating change.
“The message of White Ribbon is really important: stop violence against women. It’s incredible how much violence is out there, 68 deaths this year alone so there’s no excuse whatsoever for any form of violence”, said Bali.
“If you’re a victim of violence there’s people out there to support you, if you’re a perpetrator there’s people to talk to to change your life and change your attitude. That’s what White Ribbon is about: males talking to males to address issues and stop it.
“It’s great to see a club like Western Sydney Wanderers getting behind the message for White Ribbon and violence against women because by them standing up it resonates in the community and people take notice.”
