Tusbab Stallions stand against gender-based violence

As Papua New Guinea put on a display of support against gender-based violence (GBV), football in Papua New Guinea also did its part in showing support for the cause-saying no to GBV. The staff of PNG Football Association and Hekari United joined the march in Port Moresby, while in Lae, the Lae City displayed placards bearing message against GBV.

One club that did not wait to react to the issues are the Tusbab Stallions Football Club, a club based in Madang in the north of Port Moresby. “We know GBV and other issues of gender exists, we know HIV exist, and we did not wait to react”, says Conrad Wadunah, the Director of the club.

The club made a bold decision last year to appoint two female to very important roles in the club: the Head Coach and the Team Manager. Rachel Wadunah is the Head Coach and Juanita Kalip Tawi is the Team Manager and they are leading a group of men in the the National Soccer League – the major football league in Papua New Guinea.

SEE ALSO
Lae City players protest against domestic violence
Hekari United players protest against domestic violence in Papua New Guinea

“The club is living up to its slogan, of being more than just a football club, and is using soccer to address issues of gender, women and girls’ empowerment and the supporting roles men and boys play in addressing the critical issues the province and country is facing,” says Conrad – “We are doing what we can in a small way, and we hope it can have a ripple effect on our women and girls in the province and country. We are using football to educate, to empower-there is more to football than kicking the balls for 90 minutes,” he added.

Oceania Football Center congratulates Tusbab Stallions and all football players, clubs and institutions that are standing against gender-based violence.