New sports collaboration to tackle gendered violence on the Central Coast

Tuesday, 3 September 2024

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The University of Newcastle has teamed up with the NSW Department of Education, Enrichd Group and the Central Coast Mariners football club to deliver an innovative community program that aims to address gendered violence and promote respectful relationships among secondary school students in the Central Coast region.

From left to right: Professor Mark Hoffman, Minister David Harris, Professor David Luban, Dr Louise Rak, NSW Premier Chris Minns, Associate Professor Tamara Blakemore, Professor Robert Greenberg, Ms Danielle Neale, University Chancellor Patricia Forsythe AM
From left to right: Professor Mark Hoffman, Minister David Harris, Professor David Luban, Dr Louise Rak, NSW Premier Chris Minns, Associate Professor Tamara Blakemore, Professor Robert Greenberg, Ms Danielle Neale, University Chancellor Patricia Forsythe AM

Called Onside with the Mariners, the program is supported by a $1 million grant from the NSW Office of Sport. The University of Newcastle has been selected as the program's research partner and will apply its expertise across multiple areas, including:

  • trauma-based awareness and training for those who work with communities that experience violence
  • sports-based intervention programs that foster healthy relationships
  • evidence-based evaluation of community initiatives (both through the sporting lens and the gender-based violence lens).

The Central Coast consistently ranks among the highest regions in NSW for incidents of domestic and family violence. According to NSW Government data, there has been an 11.9 percent increase of reported domestic related assaults in the Central Coast in the past five years.

Onside With the Mariners will use football as a conduit to foster discussions about healthy relationships, respect and conflict resolution. The program will be piloted with the Central Coast Grammar School and include:

  • football skills sessions focusing on participation while initiating conversations around domestic violence and employment
  • tailored domestic and family violence education
  • follow-up sessions to help ensure the sustainability of the program's impact.

The University will provide trauma awareness training for staff involved in the program, as well as specialist program review and ongoing program evaluation.

Associate Professor Tamara Blakemore is one of the researchers involved in the program.

"Our aim is to understand and demonstrate the impact of sports-based interventions for our young people – and to boost the confidence of staff who work with communities that experience trauma and violence," Associate Professor Blakemore said.

"We're excited for the opportunity to translate the University's world-class expertise into programs that deliver lasting impact in our communities – and to help break the cycle of trauma and violence in our young people."

The University team also includes Dr Louise Rak, Professor David Lubans and Professor Penny Jane Burke.

Mariners A-League Women’s Head Coach Emily Husband shared her thoughts on the broader impact of the program:

"Football has a unique ability to unite people and create a sense of belonging. Through Onside With the Mariners, we’re not just teaching skills on the pitch - we’re instilling values that extend far beyond it. We’re empowering young people to make positive choices that will benefit them and our communities for years to come."

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