A full record of Mark's Speeches are available at www.parliament.qld.gov.au
A full record of Mark's Speeches are available at www.parliament.qld.gov.au
As noted in the Not now, not ever report—
Sport plays an enormous role in the lives of Queenslanders.
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Organised sport, particularly for boys and men, offers an excellent opportunity to support respectful behaviour both on and off the field. It is an important opportunity to sanction unacceptable behaviour.
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Just starting the conversations will make significant steps toward changing attitudes and behaviours.
Recently, sporting clubs in the Caboolture region put this part of the Not now, not ever report into action. I am very proud that, following conversations that I had with both the Caboolture Snakes Rugby League Club and the Caboolture Sports Football Club, both of these clubs recently hosted events to help shape positive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our community.
I take this opportunity to commend the Caboolture Snakes Rugby League Club for the program of activities that they hosted during Domestic Violence Awareness Week. The club ensured that all club members participated in an education session and an awareness day. All players and spectators for the Domestic Violence Awareness Game Day were encouraged to take the ‘not now, not ever’ pledge.
I also commend the Caboolture Sports Football Club, who in collaboration with officers from the
Caboolture Police Station, took up the ‘not now, not ever’ challenge by ‘starting the conversation’ about respect in sport and how actions can influence your future. I acknowledge the member for Murrumba who emceed that particular event on behalf of the Caboolture Sports Football Club.
The club secured a Queensland government grant to support the delivery of an evening of education sessions for the club's junior players and their coaches and parents. The evening was an incredible success, with more than 300 club members attending, including the club's executive management as well as senior players of the club who are now role models for the younger players.
During the evening, the club launched the #MyChoiceMyFuture project under which the conversation can be continued about relationships, positive attitudes and behaviours and promoting a culture of non-violence. The senior players of the club presented caps to the junior players with the hashtag #MyChoiceMyFuture, as well as wristbands and a message about positive and respectful attitudes and behaviours.
Another part of the club's efforts included the launch of a video which was produced by the club featuring players aged six and up discussing what respect meant to them. I would like to encourage all members of the House and, of course, all Queenslanders to have a look at the YouTube video and search for Caboolture Sports Football Club and #MyChoiceMyFuture. I am very proud that sporting groups in my area are taking up the challenge and standing up for the Not now, not ever initiative that this government strongly supports.