Super Netball stars band together to take stand in anti-domestic violence campaign

The Super Netball playing cohort is using its collective voice to call for an end to violence against women and families in an important campaign.

Super Netball players are standing together to shine a light on the “national crisis” that is domestic and family violence.

In a powerful collective move that demonstrates the way in which they intend to use their influence off the court, the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) released a statement and video outlining their commitment to “being part of the solution” to the scourge that is violence against women in Australia.

Thirty-five players – almost half the full-time playing roster in the league – feature in the video but Sunshine Coast goaler Cara Koenen, who is acting as a spokeswoman for the ANPA on the issue, said the message reflected the thoughts of the entire Super Netball cohort.

Players, umpires and match officials last year wore purple armbands at Super Netball matches throughout the season to raise awareness of violence against women.

But in a sign the playing group is serious about keeping the issue on the national agenda, the video is a further step to raise awareness, educate and foster respect and equality.

“The purple armband was something that we carried throughout the season and something the whole playing group got on board with – and I think that any action to start a conversation is a good one,” Koenen said.

“But we didn’t want that to be a ‘one and done’, stand-alone thing. We wanted to back that up with action.

“And as a predominantly female-based sport, and females being the majority of the victims in this space, I think we really wanted to be leaders in this space.”

In the video, released on Tuesday night, the players outline the confronting statistics surrounding domestic and family violence in Australia, including that, on average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner.

“As athletes, we know the power of teamwork and leadership,” the statement and video say.

“We are committed to being role models and calling out disrespect.

“Supporting those affected. And championing change in our clubs and communities.

“Together, we stand united, on the court and in our communities, to end violence against women. Enough is enough.”

Cara Koenen of the Lightning is acting as a spokesperson for ANPA. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Koenen said she was personally passionate about the issue and had put her hand up to talk about it, given statistically speaking, plenty of players on the community netball court on any given day would have “some kind of experience in this area”.

“As women in Australia, the statistics will show us that families, friends, each of ourselves, will experience physical violence, sexual violence at some point throughout our lives,” Koenen said.

“And it would be ignorant of us to look around a change room with 10 players in it and to think that none of us are affected in any way, shape or form.”

Koenen hoped the video and statement could start conversations, not just among women, outlining the importance of men also being part of the discourse and feeling empowered to call out “misogynistic behaviours and the inequalities against women”.

Originally published as Super Netball stars band together to take stand in anti-domestic violence campaign