By Emma Xerri
Violence-prevention charity, the Pat Cronin Foundation, is partnering with YMCA Victoria in a new initiative working to address and educate against violence on and off the sporting field.
The foundation is taking their popular Violence is Never OK seminar online, hoping to equip players 13 years and above with the tools needed to manage anger and aggression, and raise awareness of the broad, highly-impactful effects of senseless violence.
Foundation director Matt Cronin, whose son Pat Cronin lost his life to a senseless coward punch attack, has worked tirelessly with the foundation to deliver anti-violence presentations nation-wide.
“We give people an understanding of Pat’s story as well as a wealth of practical tips and strategies to deal with anger and aggression – which are life-changing skills just as relevant off the field as well as on,” he said.
The seminar is just one portion of the partnership being backed by a City of Casey grant, as part of the Victorian Government’s Empowering Communities initiative within the Building Safer Communities Program.
The partnership will also see the foundation deliver a series of violence-prevention education measures at Casey Stadium, and centre manager Josh Sadler urges all players, coaches and officials from the 300 clubs involved with the facility to partake in the seminar, which is also available to those participating in entry-level sports across the wider community.
“This is such a crucial initiative and underscores our commitment to making a lasting, positive change in thousands of lives,” he said.
“As part of our partnership with the foundation, we’re aiming to convey to a million-plus visitors to the stadium this year the importance of empowering people with the tools to say no to violence.”
The free seminar will take place online on Tuesday 21 November at 7pm.
Bookings are necessary and can be made at ViolenceisneverOK.eventbrite.com
For more information about the Pat Cronin Foundation, visit patcroninfoundation.org.au
