A diverse array of sports legends, from the West Coast Eagles’ current coach to a former Australian cricket captain, have united in support of Danny Green’s “Fight the Coward Punch” initiative.
It’s been 13 years since the renowned Western Australian boxing champion launched this campaign, and he remains optimistic that its message is making a significant impact.
“We must continue to push forward—pardon the pun—because this issue is incredibly important,” Green expressed to 9News. “I’m very proud to have received substantial backing.”
Today, Australia’s top athletes, who typically compete against each other fiercely, came together to endorse Green’s campaign.
“It’s not something we want to witness in public spaces, so the ‘Stop the Coward Punch’ campaign is a fantastic initiative,” Eagles Coach Andrew McQualter shared with 9News.
“It’s just not anything we want to see in public, so stop the coward punch is a great campaign,” Eagles Coach Andrew McQualter told 9News.
Fremantle Football Club’s Patrick Voss agrees.
“I don’t think it’s a show of strength coward punching – or punching anyone in general,” he told 9News.
Studies show about three quarters of survivors face significant impacts to their quality of life.
“Violence isn’t going to solve anything really,” Eagles player Jake Waterman told 9News.
“It resonates with a lot of people – victims and family of victims have their lives cut short or taken back from something.”
Danny Hodgson is still receiving treatment for the hit that put him into a coma four years ago.
More than 172 Australians have died from a coward punch since 2000.
Danny Green is standing by his 13-year-old campaign, saying it’s helping with awareness.
“People say, ‘oh is it working?’ I say ‘yeah, it’s definitely working’ – the numbers, the data show the numbers have been reduced of death and injuries.”
It’s hoped events like these can further drill down how a split second decision can have an irreversible impact.
