Throughout 2026, Ballarat CASA alongside the Central Highlands Football and Netball League, RESPECT Victoria, Ballarat Foundation and other key stakeholders's are working together on an initiative titled CULTURE OF RESPECT.  The CULTURE OF RESPECT is part of the Saturation model, an Australian-first initiative to help eliminate gendered violence.

Our community in Ballarat experiences family violence at a rate that is 51% higher than the state's average.  To tackle this, the CULTURE OF RESPECT is designed to highlight the positive behaviours of leaders, whilst challenging rigid gender norms and power imbalances.

This community engagement project aims to show tangible leadership by setting the standard of zero tolerance towards sexist attitudes, language and discriminatory behaviour in our local community.

The project will begin with our educational video, seen below – to be shared throughout the clubs. Following that coaches and other team managers will also attend some panel evenings with players and service leaders, which can help us to embed these learnings into our club's culture.

The year will culminate in a "Respect Round", to be held on the 8^th of August, where senior football and netball teams across the league will wear Respect Round themed guernsey's and dresses to highlight our commitment as a project, and a community to make sport safe for us all.

We look forward to your support in this meaningful initiative, 

which we hope will contribute to a violence-free Ballarat.

Information about the Respect Round will come out soon.