The Moruya Sharks and Batemans Bay Bay Tigers committee members and players will be among the expected large turnout at the Walk against Violence march at Narooma today.

Following Group 16’s general meeting on Wednesday night, Batemans Bay Tigers president John McAlister said he was pleased to hear the Moruya club was showing leadership regarding domestic violence.

“They’re coming to the White Ribbon march. A few of the other clubs are looking to get involved and it (domestic violence) looks like it is going to be a priority for Group 16 which is great,” McAlister said.

Moruya Sharks secretary John Cornall said president Dave Farrell was pushing as many Sharks members to turn out at Narooma.

“I know the police were talking to Dave about it and he’s pushing it, but I think it is something everyone should be involved in and everyone is keen to be on board and get the message out there,” Cornall said.

This year the Tigers was one of 18 NSW clubs – the first on the South Coast – to sign on to the five-year NSW Government program, Tackling Violence.

The club also put the ‘Tackling Violence’ logo on its jerseys and McAlister said the emblem will be more prominent next year.

“We’re putting a bigger emblem on both sleeves and there will be nothing else with it so it stands out,” McAlister said.

Moruya, who has not formally joined the program yet, will also put the logo on all their jerseys this season.

While he was encouraged by the rugby league community’s response, McAlister said he wanted to see more traditional men’s codes like rugby union and AFL take a stand.

“Every sporting club that is part of our community needs to take part and stand up and say ‘it is just not good enough’,” McAlister said.

“It’s very important that as a sporting club, we show leadership for our players so they come on board with us and hopefully make some differences.”