Football Fans Against Sexual Assault (FFASA)

Football Fans Against Sexual Assault (FFASA) is a grassroots initiative that was set up in response to the 2004 sexual assault allegations against AFL and NRL footballers.

Originally, FFASA comprised a small group of AFL and NRL fans disillusioned by the impact of the allegations and club mismanagement of the allegations on their enjoyment of the game.

In response, they set up the FFASA website. As footy fans, they aimed the site at positive action, the sorts of things they’d like to see football codes do to restore the game to an esteemed place in their hearts and minds.

In February 2005, FFASA submitted a 100 page submission to the AFL and NRL, called Towards Champions: A Better Culture, A Better Game, on behalf of the over 1000 signatories who signed the FFASA on-line petition against sexual assault and club cover-ups.

Towards Champions called on the AFL and NRL to:

  • Break new ground in the area of gender violence prevention in sport;
  • Become national and international leaders in this new area of research and prevention.

The AFL and NRL have since implemented policies and strategies to address violent and abusive behaviours towards women.

In principle, FFASA supports these initiatives and recognises that the AFL and NRL are the first sports world-wide to take a code-wide approach to the issue.

Earlier this year, FFASA elected a Committee of Management under the Associations Incorporations Act 1984 to oversee its activities, including the growth and development of its sports-based gender violence prevention initiative, Purple Armband Games.

FFASA continues to lobby sports, including the AFL and NRL, aiming to:

  • provide constructive comment based on current gender violence prevention research; and
  • recognise code, club and player based achievement and progress in the area.

FFASA sees a leadership role for all sports in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women in our communities.

Memberships and Donations

FFASA is a community-based, non-profit organisation. As such, memberships and donations are essential to our existence.

If you like what we are doing, you may like to:

  • Apply to become a FFASA Member; or
  • Make a donation.

Apply to become a FFASA Member:

To apply to become a FFASA Member, download our Membership Application in either Word or PDF format.

Complete the form and forward with a cheque or money order for $10.00 to:

FFASA
57 Day Street
Marrickville NSW 2204

Fees: Joining fee: $5
Annual membership fee: $5

FFASA Members:

  • receive a quarterly FFASA Newsletter;
  • are eligible for election to the FFASA Committee of Management;
  • may contribute to FFASA’s policy development, strategic direction and sports-based gender violence prevention initiatives;
  • help grow the organisation and give it a future.

Make a donation:

To make a donation to FFASA, email us for details.

For more information about FFASA, or to sign the FFASA on-line petition, visit www.ffasa.org.

Acknowledgments:

FFASA thanks the following persons and businesses for their kind donations of time, skills, expertise, services or goods to this year’s Purple Armband Games:

  • Lisa Petroff, for her design, lay-out skills and initiative in creating us a logo and cohesive look, including the poster, wallet cards, information sheets, competition inserts, letterhead and other promotional materials. Many thanks Lisa. You’re a pleasure to work with and you make us look great!
  • Karen Willis, Manager, NSW Rape Crisis Centre, for her support, encouragement and advice on sexual assault and prevention approaches. In acknowledging Karen’s invaluable contribution, FFASA accepts full responsibility for the text on this site, including any inaccuracies, errors or omissions.
  • Ricky Onsman and Rick Eyre, for their web design/building skills and all round commitment to getting www.purplearmband.org off the ground. Another pair who make us look great!
  • Therese Lloyd of Knife Fork & Spoon for creating our electronic flash file banners.
  • Action Photographics, the Football Federation of Australia, Queensland Roar, Sportography, Sporting Images and Terry Trewin from Darwin Photographics for providing and allowing us to use their images free-of-charge.
  • All clubs and persons who gave permission for images of themselves, their team and/or club to be used.
  • Lots of Watts and Snap Leichhardt for providing purple tape and printing at cost.
  • Our 2006 Purple Armband Convenors: City of Sydney, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Randwick Councils, Soccer NSW, Basketball NSW, Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Rape and the Australian Women’s Rugby League.
  • All purple armband wearers and grassroots organisers for their participation and support of this new community initiative.