SportWest was proud to attend Starick’s Respectful Relationships Forum – BOYS TO MEN: Engaging Boys and Men in Gender Equality, held on Friday, 29 November as part of both the State Government’s Respectful Relationships Sport and Recreation and Teaching Support Programs. The event brought together over 100 primary and secondary school leaders, educators, sports administrators and community advocates to explore how boys and men can be positively engaged in promoting gender equality.
Held during the 16 Days in WA campaign, the Forum was a powerful platform for raising awareness and fostering collaboration between schools and organisations committed to respectful relationships education.
Keynote Speakers Driving Change
The Forum featured thought-provoking presentations from leading voices in gender equality and youth engagement:
- Sabine Winton MLA - Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence
- Maree Crabbe – Educator, writer, researcher, filmmaker, and Director of It’s Time We Talked, a violence prevention initiative.
- Daniel Principe – Youth advocate and educator, known for his work across Australia helping boys grow into respectful and empathetic men.
- Troy Kirkham – CEO of SportWest and experienced sport administrator, formerly Executive Manager of Game Development and Community at the West Australian Football Commission.
These speakers shared insights and strategies for creating inclusive environments and empowering young people to challenge harmful gender norms. Troy Kirkham, the new CEO of SportWest spoke about True Sport and the alignment with respectful relationships in sport and joined a panel to discuss ways we can support boys and young men and engage them in primary prevention.
True Sport Manager, Jasmine Cappellucci spoke of the partnership between SportWest and Starick. “Sport is a powerful platform for cultural change. Whether on the field or in the clubhouse, it shapes attitudes and behaviours. Through our collaboration with Starick, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and the Steering Group, we have been developing the True Sport Respectful Relationships Initiative. This program equips WA sporting clubs with practical tools and resources to champion respectful relationships and gender equality within their communities. It will provide resources and tools for the WA sporting sector and empower sport and recreation organisations to lead the way in promoting respectful relationships. On and off the field, sport provides the environment and opportunity to set and reinforce positive community standards about respect and equality. This forum really enforced that notion."
Interactive Learning and Community Building
Participants engaged in interactive activities designed to spark dialogue and build connections across sectors. The Forum also provided valuable networking opportunities, strengthening ties between schools and organisations involved in the Respectful Relationships Sport and Recreation Program.
