Two local schools are saying ‘no’ to bullying by wearing purple socks during their K-Day sport fixtures this year.
Two local schools are saying ‘no’ to bullying by wearing purple socks during their K-Day sport fixtures this year.
The DSG first and U13A hockey teams, as well as the St Andrew’s College first rugby side, will wear purple socks this weekend symbolising the colour of bruises left by bullies.
This will show their support of a new national bullying awareness campaign by the JAG Sports and Education Foundation.
St Andrew’s and DSG were approached by a former pupil working at the Foundation.
“We have decided to do this to show our support against bullying,” said DSG sports director Pamela Bowren.
Former DSG pupil Sammy Fenner said the first school to don the socks in support was Rondebosch Boys’ High, whose first rugby team wore them in a derby match against Bishops last Saturday.
“That went so well that I then contacted DSG and asked if they would want to support the cause,” said Fenner.
The Bully Proof Campaign involving the socks is new, she said, although the Foundation has been running anti-bullying campaigns through their various programmes for the past for years.
Head of sport at St Andrew’s, Pete Andrew, said the two schools have also subscribed to the Foundation’s ongoing anti-bullying workshop programme.
On 26 July JAG will hold a national bullying awareness day, “where we look to schools to join us in driving awareness and building the bullying conversation outside of the JAG Bully Proof focus area by wearing purple and by talking about bullying,” Fenner said.
Anyone can buy purple sports socks from JAG to show their support for the cause.
If you are interested in supporting the campaign or if you’d like your school to learn more about the programme please contact Sammy@jagfoundation.org.za or on 021 702 8573.
The JAG Foundation utilises sport as a catalyst for cultural and societal change within deprived and disadvantaged communities. It is made up of four core programs focusing on rugby, running, cycling, and basic athletic movement.
