Central Coast Mariners have introduced the Onside With the Mariners program, to address gendered violence found in the Central Coast region and to promote respectful relationships among secondary school students.
The initiative is backed by a $1 million grant from the Office of Sport, in a pre-election promise by Labor.
The Central Coast has been ranked as one of the highest regions for domestic and family violence incidents. To counter this, Onside With the Mariners acts as a primary prevention initiative, using football to kick-start discussions about healthy relationships, respect, and conflict resolution.
Speaking at the launch, Premier Chris Minns highlighted the importance in addressing domestic violence:
“As a Government, we are committed to addressing the devastating impact of domestic and family violence across the state, but we know we can’t do it alone,” he said via media release.
“Programs like this make a real difference in young people’s lives and in the community as a whole. I’m grateful to the Mariners for stepping up and taking on this leadership role for young people in the community, as we work to create a safer New South Wales.”
Central Coast Mariners Sporting Director Matt Simon highlighted the club’s deep commitment to the community:
“Onside With the Mariners is more than just a football clinic; it’s a commitment to our community. As a club, we’ve always believed in the power of football to bring about positive change. This initiative allows us to use football to address serious social issues and help shape a healthy future for youth in our community.”
With Central Coast Mariners playing a crucial role for the region, Onside With the Mariners is a key step to restoring off-field wellbeing.
