A partnership with New Zealand Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and New Zealand Rugby has received the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association, Off Field Achievement Award for 2013.
It was awarded to the Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme (P.P.D.V.P.) for a project that sees rugby players and NZ and Pacific police working together to prevent family violence in Pacific countries.
The annual award acknowledges excellence in the development process of the people involved in rugby, according to a press release from the programme.
This is the first time that a programme rather than an individual has been the recipient of the award.
The P.P.D.V.P. is a multi-faceted programme funded through the NZ Aid Programme and run by NZ Police.
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Its aim is to increase the capability of police in the Pacific to prevent and respond to domestic violence. Head of the P.P.D.V.P., Cam Ronald said the NZ Police and the New Zealand Aid Programme truly appreciated the award and the recognition that it provides.
“Working with N.Z. Rugby has allowed us to carry a consistent and strong message to the Pacific that violence is never OK, and to target the young men and boys of the region especially.”
The first trip took place in Samoa in 2009 when 10 Hurricanes and Lions representatives visited schools and villages to promote the message “Break the Silence, End the Violence.”
Now, the programme takes players from all the rugby franchises and over 40 players have been part of tours including a second visit to Samoa in 2010, Tonga in 2011, Cook Islands in 2012 and a visit to Guam last year.
“We have been truly humbled by the commitment and professionalism the players have brought to the programme,” Mr Ronald said.
“For the rugby-mad people in the Pacific, particularly the young men, these players are true role-models - and to have them stand up and say that violence is not OK -and then get out and run around with them on a playing field, has a tremendous impact - far more than we could ever achieve on our own.”
“There is a huge amount of will to see the programme continue and this award gives all of us involved the impetus to ensure it does,” he said.
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