‘It’s bigger than us’ – Domestic Violence Awareness Round returns for UC Capitals
For their last game of season 2023/24, the UC Capitals are proud to be hosting the second Domestic Violence Awareness (DVA) Round – a player led initiative heroed by Alex Bunton.
The club is delighted to be supporting the cause again after strong support last season from the playing group, Caps staff, and wider community.
Bunton, who is a survivor of domestic violence herself, is glad she can use her platform for good and help other people navigate through their own experiences and know they aren’t alone.
“Last year, we felt such a big impact, mostly from people we didn’t know, and the wider community around the WNBL. It’s so rewarding to me to be a part of it, knowing that I can help them do that and use my platform. And with the Caps, we’re a big family so, we want to extend our arms out again and make it welcoming for people,” she said.
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Throughout the year following the first instalment of the DVA Round, Bunton has had people continuously reach out to her to share their messages of appreciation and support.
“It’s an ongoing thing for me to have people just say thank you, or to ask me a question, or ask where can they get help, or just share a little bit of their story. I love that I can relate to someone and make them feel safe,” she said.
Bunton unfortunately won’t be taking to the court for the Caps last game against the Melbourne Boomers and says that while she is disappointed not be suiting up, the cause is about much more than basketball.
“It’s not about that for me. You know if I’m sitting on the bench, or I’m on the court it’s the same message, it’s the same cause, it’s the same thing that we’re doing,” she said.
Earlier in the week, Bunton was named as a finalist for the WNBL Community Award for the work she’s done to spearhead the Caps DVA Round.
Fellow Canberra local and Caps player, Chloe Tugliach, is also a finalist for her work with the Australian Boomerangs – the men’s national representative team for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Bunton said she is proud the duo has received recognition for the work they do off the court as it helps to spread their message even further.
“To know that I’m being heard and people are knowing what I’m doing, that helps the cause and that helps what I’m doing. So, to be recognized is not just for me it’s for what I’m doing and motivation to continue to spread my voice,” she said.