Rivals United: Hull FC & Hull KR join White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women & girls

STANDING TOGETHER: Brad Fash, left, of Hull FC, and Mikey Lewis, of Hull KR, proudly wearing the White Ribbon emblem on their shirts

By Simon Bristow

Cross-city rivals Hull FC and Hull KR have come together to support White Ribbon UK - the country’s leading charity in engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls.

The black half of Hull and the red side of the city have been united by the colour white in support of the charity ahead of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8. 

White Ribbon UK is the leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. It aims to prevent violence by promoting gender equality and positively addressing how informal rules about ‘how to be a man’ and ‘how to be a woman’ can restrict the way men, women, girls, and boys are expected to behave.

Both clubs will help raise awareness for the charity during two Super League fixtures either side of International Women’s Day, starting with Hull KR’s home match against Leigh Leopards on Friday.

Hull FC will then do the same when they welcome Salford Red Devils to the MKM Stadium next weekend.

Both clubs will proudly carry the charity’s white ribbon emblem on their playing shirts in each fixture, shining a light on the longstanding issues with expressions of masculinity and sport-related violence, including violence against women.

White Ribbon takes this message into workplaces, communities, schools, universities, sports clubs and venues, reaching many thousands of people each year.

At the heart is to encourage all men to consider, and make, the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.

The clubs’ involvement was initiated by the High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Jacky Bowes, a high-profile advocate for White Ribbon UK, who pledged to campaign on the issue when she was appointed to the ancient role last year.

Both first-team squads will also undertake a workshop with White Ribbon UK to help understand gender equality while positively addressing harmful gender norms which can negatively impact women and girls.

In doing so, the clubs aim to use sport as a unifier, and a place where positive traits, such as allyship, courage, and being principled and kind can be nurtured and celebrated.

By working with sports clubs, fans and players White Ribbon looks to ensure that sport itself is safe, equal, and enjoyable for women and that this builds a society where all women are able to live the lives they want free of male violence.

Anthea Sully, chief executive of White Ribbon UK, said: “It cannot be overestimated the power that sport can play in ending men’s violence against women.

“The opportunity is there for clubs, supporters, and players themselves, to unite against unacceptable behaviours and instead create a positive culture that is safe and equal for women and girls. That is why I am delighted that Hull FC and Hull KR are supporting White Ribbon UK.”

Brad Fash, Hull FC’s reigning Player of the Year, said: “The charity is massively important - domestic abuse is something that nobody should have to deal with, but unfortunately over the last few years, particularly during the lockdown periods, it’s something that we’ve had to become more aware of.

“The issue needs dealing with, and as a club we want to be able to facilitate help stopping the problem and raising awareness of it, so we are proud to be supporting the White Ribbon campaign.”

Last November, Humberside Scouts became the first scouting organisation in the world to begin awarding White Ribbon badges as they joined the campaign in a partnership with the High Sheriff.

• Fans can sign the White Ribbon promise at whiteribbon.org.uk/promise