Sea of orange at Redcliffe Dolphins game

There will be a sea of orange at the Redcliffe Dolphins’ home game at Kayo Stadium this weekend in a bid to raise awareness of domestic and family violence.

Volunteers from the Zonta Club of Redcliffe will be wearing orange and forming a guard of honour as players run out onto the field. They will also have an information stall at the stadium.

It’s an initiative that started 11 years ago, when Zonta teamed up with the Dolphins during the month of May - Domestic and Family Violence Awareness month.

Zonta Club of Redcliffe spokeswoman Marie Stewart says the two organisations have continued to raise awareness each year since then with the exception of two years.

“The last few years I have met with QRL to sanction the event going forward and they have agreed. Last year, about five other Zonta Clubs joined with their local QRL club in holding events too.

“This year, there are about eight Zonta Clubs negotiating with their local QRL club to hold games. We are very grateful to the Redcliffe Dolphins for supporting this initiative for so long.

“The aim is to eventually have a Respect/DV Awareness game (Orange Round) with all sporting codes, winter sports during the month of May and Summer Sports during the 16 Days of Activism (November 25 to December 10).

“We all need to help stop this dreadful crime. Zonta Says No to Gender Based Violence. Will you join us and Say No?”

Redcliffe Dolphins CEO Scott Clark says: “The Redcliffe Dolphins are proud advocates for raising awareness of domestic and family violence. We’ve stood alongside the Zonta Club of Redcliffe for over a decade because we believe in the power of sport to drive change. Respect Round is more than a game it’s a statement that violence has no place in our community”.

The Redcliffe Dolphins’ Respect Round (10) is this Saturday (May 24), when they take on the Ipswich Jets at Kayo Stadium. Kick-off is at 5pm.