THE MELBOURNE Football Club is proud to partner with the Victorian Department of Education and Training and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) to take a stand against racist bullying.

An act that focuses on race, colour or culture, racist bullying pinpoints where a person or their family are from, the colour of their skin or their cultural traditions. It can even target the clothes they wear or the way they talk.

On Friday 15 March, the annual National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA), Melbourne players Nathan Jones, Neville Jetta and Aliesha Newman are sending a message of support to all students – ‘I have your back’.

Neville, a proud Noongar man from Western Australia, encountered racist bullying throughout his childhood.

These first-hand experiences have only furthered his desire to stand with nearly 1000 Victorian schools and over 400,000 students in promoting change.

“Growing up, I experienced some of these things in my community,’ Neville said.

“It didn’t feel great, and I don’t want it to happen to my children.”

Aliesha, who is a Ningy Ningy woman from Queensland, is just as passionate about the cause.

The Melbourne AFLW star said everyone in the community can make a difference and be part of building welcoming and inclusive communities.

“Step in and speak up,” Aliesha said.   

“Call the person out and let them know that bullying is not okay.”

For information on the NDA, see: National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, or for more on how the Victorian Department of Education and Training are supporting schools to prevent and address bullying, see: Bully Stoppers.