New Zealand Football has received permission and support from FIFA to display the ribbons on warm-up gear and also plans to raise awareness of the White Ribbon campaign through activities at the match in conjunction with the Families Commission, who lead the campaign in New Zealand.
White Ribbon is a campaign offering men the chance to be part of the solution to end violence against women and was last year adopted by the All Whites as their official cause.
Former All White and current Professional Footballers’ Association board member Harry Ngata also signed on as a White Ribbon ambassador joining the likes of former rugby league star Reuben Wiki and Prime Minister John Key.
Members of the All Whites signed pledges to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women, which were published as part of White Ribbon Day on November 25. But the Jamaica match is the first on-field chance for the players to show their commitment to the cause.
“It’s a campaign the lads are excited and passionate about supporting,” 73-cap veteran Ivan Vicelich says.
“There should be a big crowd at Mt Smart and plenty more watching on TV around the country so it’s a great opportunity to promote the positive messages about challenging abusive attitudes or behaviour towards women.”
Families Commission White Ribbon campaign manager Rob McCann says the relationship with the All Whites is another way to encourage men to break the silence around domestic violence.
“The campaign is about men talking to men in ways that men understand and about men taking ownership and leadership to become part of the solution,” McCann says.
“It’s great to see and hear athletes and teams stand up and say that you can be tough and play with controlled aggression but you can’t bring that aggression into the home.”
For more information on White Ribbon please visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz
ASB Summer International
New Zealand v Jamaica
Mt Smart Stadium
February 29, 2012
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Ticket details
Reserved seating: Adults $29, Children $15
Embankment: Adults $25, Children $10, Family (2 adults + 2 children) $60
To purchase tickets click here
Corporate Lounge: $99 (includes carvery)
Corporate boxes: 12 person – $1600, 16 person – $2500, 26 person – $3500
Purchase from www.mtsmartstadium.com www.mtsmartstadium.com
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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