For Goulburn Valley League clubs Shepparton United and Tatura, that’s precisely why they circle this weekend's round nine clashes as such an important date on the calendar.
For more than a decade, both clubs have championed the cause of raising awareness about family violence through the Family Care Cup, partnering with Family Care to ignite essential dialogues and showcase vital support services for those affected.
At Deakin Reserve on Saturday, the senior football sides play off for the Family Care Cup, while in the A-grade netball it is the Family Care Shield.
Now, a new addition, a perpetual plaque will be presented to the winner of the women’s football clash, which is taking place at 4.30pm after the senior game.
Family Care chief executive David Tennant praised the clubs for continuing to recognise the round and its significance, while also outlining its timeliness.
“Footy and netball clubs are genuinely safe places that look after their communities,” Tennant said.
“They provide opportunities for kids to talk to their mentors and coaches about challenges that they might be having at home.
“It gives a chance for the clubs to talk to places like Family Care about the available support and, we, as a community, provide a sense of calm and safety and that's really important.”
“When we started this in 2012, I think one or just under one woman per week was killed as a result of violence and usually by an intimate partner or an ex.
“It's now between one and closer to two. Those numbers are not acceptable at any level, in any way, and Australia has a significant problem in violence against women and children.
“I'm just proud of these two clubs saying, ‘we don't tolerate that’.”
For former United president Rebecca Monk, a day like this opens up pathways.
“I’ve been very proud of being part of this with both clubs and Family Care supporting this initiative, because it is about having conversations and awareness,” Monk said.
“Some of us may not know how to have these conversations, or it might be quite normalised in a home environment.
“It can be an opportunity where we come together in a safe club environment to have those discussions and start that conversation and those thoughts of what we can do and where we can go in our local community.”
Tatura's Simon Pogue echoed his United contemporaries, saying championing these causes has been a point of pride.
"Clubs are a safe and inclusive environment and I think both United and Tatura have even gone steps further," Pogue said.
"United's got a fantastic mental health and wellbeing program running there and you see it offered on social media and their currency in the community from those efforts is fantastic.
"Likewise, we're probably following United's lead with the implementation of our club wellbeing team, where we've got a number of people who have received training.
"The feedback we've got from that has been that it's been well utilised."
On the field, the Demons and Bulldogs will be seeking their first win of the season, while on the court, Shepparton United, a game outside the top six, will be hoping to narrow the gap and stage an upset against Tatura (third).
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