Standing Together: Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club Leading the Way in Domestic Violence Prevention

Guided by its Board and leadership team, the Club is actively shaping safer pathways, stronger support networks, and community-wide awareness programs.

A Club at the Heart of Its Community

For more than a year, CEO Carl Pozzato and COO Nicole Hendley have served as committee members of the Ryde Hunters Hill Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Committee, helping strengthen local responses and advocacy. This commitment expanded further in 2025 when Hendley joined the long-standing Make A Stand organising committee.

“Clubs are a safe place for anyone in need, late at night or in the early hours of the morning,” says COO Nicole Hendley. 

“With trained staff and licensed security on site, we are often the first safe point of contact for those escaping dangerous situations.”

In the past three months, the Club has issued four ESCABAGS and helped two women who arrived on-site seeking urgent safety, with managers promptly alerting police. Beyond crisis response, two of the Club’s residential properties are being used as transitional housing for people fleeing violent situations, with a third due to open in the new year.

Make A Stand: A Powerful Moment of Unity

More than 200 people gathered in Macquarie Park for this year’s Make A Stand event, supported by the City of Ryde. Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club joined partnering Clubs and community organisations in calling for an end to domestic, family and sexual violence.

“We are proud to stand with our community,” says Nicole. 

“Moments like these highlight why Clubs remain central pillars in society—bringing people together with purpose, compassion, and commitment.”

Leading by Example: Programs Creating Impact

The Club is advancing several initiatives that strengthen prevention, support, and community education:

Accidental Counsellor Training
Delivered through Lifeline, this equips staff with skills to support people in crisis and recognise early warning signs.

Staff Advocacy & Awareness
In the lead-up to Make A Stand, staff proudly wore branded shirts to elevate visibility and encourage conversations during the 16 Days of Activism.

ESCABAGS Fundraising
The Club donated all raffle proceeds during the 16 Days of Activism to the Escabags Foundation, helping survivors access emergency resources.

StandbyU Shield Program
Awareness materials will soon be distributed across the Club to promote the StandbyU domestic violence safety devices, with support from partners The Northern Centre and Link Wentworth.

Grand Stand Initiative – Engaging Men as Allies
A major new investment is the Club’s sponsorship of the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) Grand Stand Program.

 This evidence-based model works with local sporting clubs to:
• Engage men as allies in domestic violence prevention
• Promote healthier conversations around mental health
• Reduce harms linked to alcohol and gambling
• Embed whole-of-club leadership on domestic violence issues

Through Grand Stand, the Club acknowledges the important role men play in shifting attitudes and achieving meaningful social change.