LOVE THE GAME, NOT THE ODDS CUP

The Western Region Football League is this weekend proud to participate in the Victorian Responsible Foundation’s annual Love the Game, Not the Odds Round.

United by a passion for the game, the aim of the round is to remind fans and players alike that sport and betting don’t have to go together, despite the significant amount of advertising that is now taken as a normal part of the sporting landscape.

During this year’s round, parents and other influential adults are being encouraged to talk to the kids in their life about the risks and potential harms associated with sports betting so that they can develop a more balanced, realistic understanding of how gambling works.

The Foundation’s acting CEO, Craig Swift, said sports betting advertising could create the misconception that gambling and sport go hand-in-hand, so it was promising to have so many elite and community football clubs on board with the round and committed to preserving the essence of the game.

“It’s easy to overlook the fact that children born in this millennium have not experienced sport without betting,” Mr Swift said, “which makes it even more important that we equip them to make informed choices about gambling as adults, to avoid gambling harm or, if harm does occur, to recognise it and seek support.

“Being part of a footy team is as much about social connectedness and having a sense of community wellbeing, as it is about competition. That’s why we love the game, not the odds.”

On Sunday, the WRFL will be celebrating the round with a feature game between Senior Women’s teams Tarneit and Werribee Centrals.

The two teams will be playing off for the Love the Game, Not the Odds Cup.

Game: Tarneit v Werribee Centrals – Victoria University Polytechnic Senior Women’s Round 11

Location: Wootten Road Reserve, Tarneit

When: Sunday, July 22

Time: 2.05pm

Ian Ferretter from Gambler’s Help West will be presenting the winning team with the Love the Game, Not the Odds Cup after the game.

For more information, visit lovethegame.vic.gov.au or share your thoughts on social media using #LoveTheGame.