Former NRL stars talk DV ahead of Moree Western Challenge rugby league knock-out

FORMER NRL star Dean Whare knows what it’s like to grow up with domestic violence.

Whare, 36, is in Moree with fellow former NRL player, 38-year-old Joseph ‘Sefa’ Paulo, as part of the Voice Against Violence information workshops being rolled out across Australia.

Supported by the NSW Government and the NRL, the Voice Against Violence program aims to assist communities in regional, rural and metropolitan regions to prevent violence against women and children.

“It’s a great initiative to come to country towns like Moree and talk about domestic violence in our communities,” Whare said.

“Getting the message out starts with the young kids and young adults. Everything has a ripple effect and it trickles down from them and their families to their younger counterparts in the community.”

Whare, who witnessed and suffered domestic violence growing up in New Zealand, said the problem is prevalent across all communities.

“The stats don’t lie – one in four women suffer physical abuse every year, and those stats are way too high,” Whare said.

“If we can teach the young generations now about what to look out for and how to speak up against domestic violence, and gain knowledge about the problem, then that is a huge step forward.

“Growing up in New Zealand, domestic violence was prevalent in my house, so this type of thing doesn’t only happen to everyday people.

“Getting the message out means a lot to me and Sefa, and hopefully we can push that message to the younger generations,” Whare said.

(from left) Charlie Shearer, Dean Whare, Jack Durheim, Joseph Paulo and Alf Newman at Boughton Oval on Wednesday afternoon.

Whare played three seasons with Manly Sea Eagles and eight seasons with Penrith Panthers. He also represented New Zealand for six seasons and in 2024 played top-level rugby league in France, while Paulo shared 11 seasons between Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels and Cronulla Sharks.

Paula and Whare will also deliver mental health programs at Moree schools ahead of the Western Challenge rugby league knock-out competition on Saturday at Boughton Oval, delivered by Moree Boars Rugby League Football Club.

“We’re here for the rest of the week and until the carnival on the weekend,” Whare said.

“We’ll be helping deliver mental health programs at primary and high schools as well as attend the carnival on Saturday.”

Newcastle Knights also hosted coach-the-coaches and train-the-trainers drills with NRL Women’s head coach Ben Jeffries, as the lead-in to the  Western Challenge ramps up.

The challenge brings together 30 teams – 24 men’s and six women’s involving 800 players – at Boughton Oval to battle out a knock-out competition across two footy fields.

The big weekend of rugby league is expected to draw at least 3000 visitors to Moree, many of whom will stay for several days.

The Western Challenge is supported by Moree Plains Shire Council and a long list of sponsors, including Abcare, Let’s Tackle Domestic Violence, Quit and Fit and Jock’s Hire Moree.

Teams and spectators are already arriving in Moree, with the influx of visitors providing a significant boost to local hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors.

There is a calcutta-stye auction of all teams at Moree Golf Club tonight, where the official draw will also take place.

In three short years, the Moree knock-out has quickly grown to become one of the most anticipated rugby league carnivals in regional New South Wales.

Moree Plains Shire mayor, Susannah Pearse, said Council is excited to be supporting the knock-out.

“This is a terrific event. It not only brings our community together, but also brings thousands of visitors to our town in pursuit of glory on the field or spectator thrills from the sidelines,” Cr Pearse said.

“General manager, Natalia Cowley, and I attended the event last year and were amazed by the crowds and talent on show.

“I take my hat off to Boars club president Todd Mitchell and all local volunteers whose hard work has seen the event go from strength to strength, getting bigger and better each year,” she said.

“When we discussed how council could help out this year, Todd suggested some manpower to get the massive site set up and packed away would be enormously helpful.

“I am delighted Council unanimously supported my Mayoral Minute to make it happen, and I thank our outdoor team who will be out in force at Boughton Oval, supporting this brilliant event on the ground in a great show of council working alongside our community.

“Best of luck to all of our local teams competing this weekend,” Cr Pearse said.