Last year CYMS and Macquarie Raiders became involved with the NSW Government’s Tackling Violence Campaign to highlight the issue of domestic violence in the community.

The Canterbury Bulldogs have come on board in support of the initiative.

While in Dubbo for their pre-season clash with the Canberra Raiders, Bulldogs Captain and Dubbo boy Andrew Ryan and second rower Yileen Gordon took time out to speak to players from Dubbo clubs about the local campaign and the affect it is having in Dubbo.

Walkom said having the support of these professional footballers certainly helped local players realise the influence they can have on the community when it comes to such issues.

“A lot of our local players are role models to the community, particularly to the younger players, and to have star-studded NRL players also in support recognises what we are doing at a country level,” he said.

The Tackling Violence initiative involves sponsorship for individual clubs to run local campaigns against domestic violence, signing players up to a code of conduct that penalises them for domestic violence offences and commits them to becoming role models for their communities.

CYMS delivered a domestic violence survey to supporters last year and it was “surprising” to see the results.

“There was a number of people who indicated they had heard of, been a witness too or been involved in domestic violence,” Walkom said.

“We want them to know they are not alone in the community, there is support here for them.”

Walkom also made note of the fact domestic violence is not isolated to low socio-economic communities as many people are often lead to believe.

“They are all kinds of people affected and to have this campaign supported by sporting groups makes these people realise they are not isolated,” he said.

Since supporting the campaign last year the number of players involved in on field discretions in Group 11 rugby league has declined, according to Walkom.

“There has certainly been a reduction in incidents, I think last year we (CYMS) only had two players sent to the judiciary,” he said.