The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS will wear orange boot laces against Collingwood on Sunday as part of the #LaceUp campaign.
#LaceUp is a campaign run by Step Back Think, a youth-led organisation that aims to change the culture surrounding social violence in Australia.
30,000 athletes around Australia will wear orange boot laces this weekend as part of the #LaceUp campaign which runs from Friday June 12 to Monday June 15.
Through education, research and awareness, Step Back Think is working to eradicate social violence where a split second, a bad decision, and a single act can irreversibly damage countless lives.
Since 2000, there have been 96 deaths related to street violence in Australia. Of these deaths, 86 were male. Further, 85 were a result of a single punch.
GIANTS vice-captain Tom Scully and midfielder Josh Kelly are proud to be #LaceUp ambassadors, joining Dyson Heppell and Patrick Ambrose from Essendon, Richmond’s Stephen Morris and players from the Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Rebels.
The highest amount of incidents occur among males aged 15-29 and Scully said it was important to highlight the seriousness of the issue.
“We see too many incidents of social violence in Australia where lives are ruined in a split second," he said.
“As AFL players, we know violence during the game isn’t tolerated and this is no different off the football field.
“The GIANTS are right behind this campaign as we try to stamp out violence that affects the whole community.”
Step Back Think Head of Education Ben O’Toole said everyone can play a role.
“One wrong decision can lead to a life changing injury or death. It not only ruins the life of the victim and perpetrator, but drastically affects their families, friends and the wider community.
"By lacing up with your sporting team, you’re saying ‘no’ to getting into a fight and you’ll stop your mates from making a bad decision that could change lives forever.”
The UWS GIANTS will also wear orange laces in their NEAFL match this Sunday. The GIANTS first to third year players will be taking part in a Step Back Think education program this month.
For more information, visit stepbackthink.org
