Eels and NSW Government team up for culture change
Monday, 30 March
Editor’s note: images of the Parramatta Eels and Office of Sport representatives at the Eels’ Culture and Wellbeing Summit are available here: https://officeofsport.intelligencebank.com/customshare/index/4q2qa
The NSW Government and Parramatta Eels have joined forces on a program aimed at preventing violence, improving mental health and promoting respectful behaviour in junior rugby league across western Sydney.
The two-year partnership will see the NSW Government provide $200,000 to the Eels to deliver the Parra Play Cultural and Leadership Program through a series of education and leadership initiatives across the Eels’ junior league, elite pathways and Western Sydney high schools.
The Program includes an annual Coaching Leadership Workshop for junior coaches and Elite Pathways programs for male and female representative players aged 14-19.
The Eels held their Culture and Wellbeing Summit on Saturday, 28 March which brought together hundreds of junior players, parents, coaches, and community stakeholders in an effort to create long term cultural change across junior rugby league.
The Summit included interactive sessions for players, parents and coaches on mental health, violence prevention, respectful behaviours and referee engagement.
The Eels have also partnered with Western Sydney University to undertake research and evaluation of the program in an effort to determine its impact on attitudes towards violence, mental health and respectful behaviour.
The project is part of the Government’s wider work with sporting organisations, as we roll out NSW’s first standalone $38 million strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024-2028. The strategy aims to address the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence by working with communities, schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and organisations.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“Rates of sexual and domestic violence against women and children in NSW remain unacceptably high.
“Sport is part of the fabric of communities across NSW and sporting organisations like the Eels can play a key role in influencing behaviour and changing perceptions towards domestic, family and sexual violence.
“The NSW Government is proud to support the Parra Play Cultural and Leadership Program and parter with the Eels to reduce domestic, family and sexual violence in our community.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“Domestic and family violence continues to affect many in our state. It is unacceptable and we must work together to stop the violence before it starts.
“Australia is a sporting nation – with sports people having a huge influence in the lives of young men and women – whether they play or follow a team.
“Local sporting clubs are our link into the community and that’s why this partnership with the Eels in western Sydney is crucial to help drive messages of respect, healthy relationships and gender equality.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:
‘The influence of sporting organisations like the Eels is vital in promoting healthy and respectful relationships as part of the fight against domestic, family, and sexual violence.
‘The Parra Play Cultural and Leadership Program plays an important role in building positive cultures that support safer sporting environments.
Parramatta Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said:
“This program reflects our responsibility as a club to lead by example and help shape the character of young people in our community.
“By working alongside the NSW Government, we’re committed to fostering a culture built on respect, accountability and wellbeing, on and off the field.
“Through Parra Play, we’re giving players, coaches and families the tools to create safer, more inclusive environments across rugby league in western Sydney.”
Media contact: Steve Norris 0417 291 346
