Hamilton to host White Ribbon Cup final

There's no room for violence on or off the field

March 19, 2012

Waikato FC will host the final of the White Ribbon Cup against Team Wellington at Hamilton’s Gower Park on Sunday April 1.

Waikato’s 3-1 over YoungHeart Manawatu in Taupo on Saturday confirmed their place in the final after an earlier win over Hawke’s Bay United while Team Wellington earned their shot with wins over Canterbury United and Otago United it the southern conference.

The competition was introduced this season to provide meaningful competition to ASB Premiership sides not involved in OFC Champions League football and supports White Ribbon, a campaign to raise awareness of men’s violence against women – which in New Zealand is generally directed at wives, girlfriends and other intimate partners.

The White Ribbon Cup final comes amidst a busy weekend for football in New Zealand with the Football Ferns taking on Papua New Guinea in the first leg of the OFC Women’s Olympic final qualifier in Whangarei on Saturday and Wellington Phoenix scheduled to host a knockout semi-final in the first round of the A-league playoffs that weekend.

The final round of the O-League is also scheduled for Saturday with Auckland City already confirmed of a place in the final but Waitakere United still chasing the other spot.

“Hosting the White Ribbon Cup final in Hamilton is a another opportunity to take a football event around the country,” said Grant McKavanagh, “and a chance to raise awareness of the White Ribbon campaign and the powerful work it does in helping men put an end to domestic violence.”

A win for either White Ribbon finalist will mark their first ever silverware although Team Wellington is eyeing a double having also made the semi finals of the ASB Premiership which begin on April 15.