CARLTON star forward Tayla Harris has been announced as an ambassador for Our Watch.
Our Watch is an organisation that has been established to drive nation-wide change in the culture, behaviours and power imbalances that lead to violence against women and their children.
A national leader in Australia’s work to stop violence against women and their children, Our Watch has been a key support in the creation of Carlton Respects.
Established in 2016, Carlton Respects advocates for gender equality for the prevention of violence against women.
The third-year Blue decide to take on the ambassadorial role after her own experience with gender-related online bullying in 2019.
"That's pretty special to me. To see the smiles on their faces is everything." ??
— Carlton Womens (@carltonfc_w) February 25, 2020
Not so long ago, Maddy P was a kid who loved her footy. Now, she's inspiring the next generation in Melbourne's northern corridor. #BoundByBlue
“In March last year when a photo of me playing footy went up online, some people said some pretty crude and sexist things about me behind the comfort of their keyboards,” Harris said.
“The tirade of sexualised and demeaning abuse I copped meant that I had a steep learning curve in the many forms of abuse and violence women can experience.
“Even though the abuse I copped was confined to the online space, I realised that I needed to call it out and label it as violence against women. If we don’t do something about it, we are adding to the bigger issue of society’s complicit acceptance that women’s achievements and abilities are valued less than men’s.”
Our Watch Chief Executive Officer Patty Kinnersly was eager to continue further Carlton’s relationship with Our Watch through Harris’ ambassadorship.
Along with her role at Our Watch, Kinnersly made history by becoming the Blues’ first designated Board member to oversee the AFLW/VFLW programs.
Along with her keen support of the women’s football program, Kinnersly has proved invaluable in enhancing the Carlton Respects program in its inaugural years.
“This time last year, Tayla experienced first-hand how women’s athleticism and sporting talent can be devalued and publicly degraded,” Kinnersly said.
“I admire Tayla’s courage in calling out online trolls and standing up for other young women who don’t have a voice. She is already a formidable and tenacious trailblazer in women’s sport and beyond, and she’s just getting warmed up.”
