FOR Carlton veteran Ed Curnow and the wider playing group, the decision to support Carlton Respects was a simple one.

Yesterday, as part of their AFL Players Care commitment, Carlton’s AFL players donated $10,000 to the Blues Foundation in support of the Carlton Respects initiative.

Touching on the impact Carlton Respects, Curnow - speaking to SEN Afternoons - said the playing group were in agreement as to where the funds were to go.

“It’s though the AFL Players Care program, where each game we donate a certain amount of our match fee,” Curnow said.

“We wanted to put it through the Carlton Respects program because we’ve seen the great work they’re doing in schools.

“It’ll give the program the ability to bring on a few ambassadors that the players have been able to hear from over the years.”

Carlton Respects aims to promote gender equality for the prevention of violence against women, which is a mission it pursues through education programs in schools and workplaces.

Curnow was there to hand over the cheque to Carlton Respects ambassador Simone O’Brien and Blues Foundation Chair Judy Mullen on Monday afternoon, having been personally inspired by the program.

“The players feel really strongly with the Carlton Respects program to get involved. One in three women have been subjected to physical abuse from the age of 15, which we all obviously feel is too much,” he said.

“We’re all really proud of the work the Club is doing. They got out to over 4,000 students last year and they’re really there to drive change in their programs through respectful relationships and language and behaviours.”

Curnow spoke on the impact Carlton Respects has had on not only the playing group, but the Club as a whole since its inception.

A vocal supporter of the initiative, Curnow is proud of the change they have been able to impact through awareness-raising, including the Carlton Respects AFL and AFLW games.

“I wouldn’t even say it’s just the younger players: It’s all players and the staff and the coaches,” he said.

“The impact that the program can have in schools, getting in front of kids and students — that’s where the change can happen.

“It’s a good lesson to check yourself and how you communicate, how you treat others: it’s a great program.”