NSW Police Force will kick off the fourth South Coast DV Awareness Cup today educating students both on and off the field, following the inaugural DV Forum last night in Bomaderry.
In 2023, the South Coast Police District’s Crime Prevention Unit established the Domestic Violence Awareness Cup to raise awareness and inform students, families, and the broader community about domestic and family violence, while fostering safe avenues for engagement and support.
Today, more than 200 students from Year 8 and 9 from the Shoalhaven region, in an under 15s rugby league (boys) and league tag (girls) round robin competition
The event at Bomaderry Sporting Fields will see six local schools – St John the Evangelist Nowra will join Nowra High School, Vincentia High School, Shoalhaven High School, Bomaderry High School and Ulladulla High School – compete for the DV Awareness Cup.
The day is led by South Coast Police District, with support from NSW Police Youth Command, the NRL, St George Illawarra Dragons, Group 7 Rugby League, NSW Rugby League, the Local Liquor Accord and local schools.
During the day, a record number of community stalls – including Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program, Waminda and Headspace – along with NSW Police Domestic Violence Officers and Youth Liaison Officers to provide information and resources from support agencies.
For the first time, more than 75 people attended a Domestic and Family Violence Forum at Bomaderry Bowling Club last night, involving key agencies, local schools, NSW Police and led by a presentation from Domestic and Family Violence Commander Superintendent Danielle Emerton.
Domestic and Family Violence Commander Superintendent Danielle Emerton said the South Coast DV Awareness is a powerful game-changing initiative in breaking the cycle of Family and Domestic Violence.
“Domestic and family violence prevention goes beyond enforcement — it begins with early education. This sport-based model engages students, helping them recognise warning signs, break down barriers, and open the door to vital conversations.” Supt Emerton said.
” Last night’s forum also brought together all those key stakeholders into one room, sharing important information, which can be used to not only educate the next generation but also assist victim-survivors to reach out for help, and provide links to support services, to break the cycle of domestic and family violence.”
South Coast Police District Commander Craig Ireland has commended local officers and the community for supporting this initiative.
“South Coast Police District’s Crime Prevention Unit has done an incredible job getting sporting organisations, local support agencies, the local liquor accords and the St George Illawarra Dragons behind this initiative. So much so, the concept has been replicated in other areas in New South Wales,” Supt Ireland said.
“I’m proud South Coast PD is playing a leading role in empowering young people with knowledge, support, and positive role models, on and off the field.”
Following the success of the South Coast DV Awareness Cup, the event has been rolled out two new locations with St George Police Area Command hosting a gala day on Thursday 14 May 2026 at Kogarah and Port Stephens-Hunter Police District at Raymond Terrace, north of Newcastle, on Thursday 4 June 2026.
Games start at 8.30am and run until 2pm, with the community encouraged to come down and cheer on students. Merit-based teams will be selected to participate in a training session with the St George Illawarra Dragons NRL and NRLW teams later this year.
