NRL's Voice Against Violence uses sport to build better attitudes [1]
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 18:26. Updated on Thursday, May 16, 2019 - 17:07.
Rugby League’s “Voice Against Violence” program, which uses sport to educate young men on important values and attitudes, held a workshop at the Tanoa Hotel in Tonga on May 15.
The program aims to increase awareness and engage with youth on ways to prevent domestic violence.
Launched last year in Nuku'alofa by the Australian National Rugby League, the program uses team training drills with key messages on preventing domestic violence to be implemented by the Tonga National Rugby League throughout Tonga.
Voice Against Violence Ambassador, Alan Tongue, a former captain of the Canberra Raiders, demonstrated how the program works, by conducting a training drill, while at the same time using messages to prevent domestic violence.
He engaged with local expert partners in preventing domestic violence, including members from the Women and Children Crisis Centre, Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili Tonga, Talitha Project, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tonga Leitis Association, Domestic Violence/Ministry of Police, Legal Aid Centre.
Steve Meredith, NRL Community Manager said this was a continuation of the program from last year.
"What we found from research is that we can prevent domestic violence from happening by embedding positive values and attitudes in our community towards our women. Sport plays a big part to educate young boys on these important values."
He said one of the results from the workshop last year from the expert partners was that they can use this program to engage young players.
"This is the next step for us to come back, refine the message and refine the workshop adaptable to the local need in Tonga."
Gender based violence
Vanessa Heleta, Talitha Project founder said Voice Against violence is a great initiative to bring the partners together that works towards Gender Based Violence.
“I love this partnership because it focuses on prevention initiatives and that aligns with Talitha's mission to stop problems before it happens. Youths particularly boys and young men need to be equipped with necessary knowledge to be the best that they can be in life, and what a better way to use rugby as a platform to do that.”
NRL Roosters Women's team/Australian Jillaroos player Simaima Taufa of Tongan descent is also part of the NRL crew as a Voice Against Violence Ambassador, along with Michael Asensio, NRL Pacific Program Manager and Tonga Country Manager, Tavake Fangupo.
The program is supported by the Australian Government's Pacific Sports Partnership.