With roughly 7,000 players hitting the city’s fields each weekend, Respect Awareness founder Ronda Lampe sees it as the perfect place to preach non-violence.

“It’s verbal, it’s physical, it’s in the home, it’s on the field. We can’t fix all the problems in the world, but if we can get people to treat others as you’d like to be treated, the world would be a better place,” Ms Lampe said.

Kangaroos rugby league coach Paul Keogh believes the message is strongest coming from the juniors.

“Sometimes parents get wrapped up in the game and they need to be pulled back into line, and when a nine or 10-year-old kid pulls them up, it’s powerful,” said Mr Keough.

“It really makes you step back and take a look at your behaviour.

“That’s what we’re about, building strong characters in them so that they have the confidence to be that voice on the field and in their lives.”