![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pat-Cronin-Round-2026.png\" "\\"Panton")
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Panton Hill star champions Pat Cronin Round <\/p>\n
Published on Thursday, April 30, 2026<\/p>\n
Author : NFNL Media<\/p>\n
Panton Hill netball goal attack Brooke Ryan will be among a record 75,000 players at the centre of Pat Cronin Foundation Round this weekend.<\/p>\n
The winner of a Foundation medal for her standout performance against Oak Park in last year\u2019s marquee game in the Northern Football Netball League, Ryan, 23, has since become a strong advocate for the initiative, which uses community sport to initiate conversations around social violence \u2013 both on and off the playing arena.<\/p>\n
With eight leagues involved this year, the round has grown into one of Melbourne\u2019s premier grassroots sporting events \u2013 highlighting the importance of controlling emotions such as anger as well as aggression and respecting opponents.<\/p>\n
Involving 3144 teams in 120 locations, the round complements the Foundation\u2019s work in schools throughout Australia, delivering specialised violence-prevention education.<\/p>\n
It also honours Coward Punch victim Pat Cronin who lost his life after being struck from behind during what was meant to be a quiet night out with friends in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the players are given yellow armbands \u2013 the official colour of the Foundation \u2013 to wear to symbolise our involvement in the cause, and last year we were also given wristbands,\u201d said Ryan.<\/p>\n
The wristband, wrapped around the gear shift in her car and another in her partner\u2019s vehicle, often sparks conversations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a small thing, but it starts discussions,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople ask about it, and it gives you a chance to talk about social violence \u2013 which is a concern in social settings in my age group \u2013 and ways to avoid it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tips and strategies from the Foundation apply to everyday day life, as well as sport \u2013 where emotions are often running high.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this being the third time I\u2019ve been involved in the round, I can see the value in the way it connects with the community and promotes positive behaviour.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Through its partnership in the Round, the NFNL will ensure 8000 players from its 45 clubs attend the Foundation\u2019s signature presentation, Violence is Never OK, over the next three years.<\/p>\n
NFNL CEO Daniel Kelly said: \u201cWe see this partnership as a core value of what we stand for as a league in helping inform particularly young people about the harm and repercussions that violence has not only in sport, but in society more broadly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be facilitating a hugely important conversation not just with our football and netball participants, but they can take that message away and speak to their family and friends about these issues and continue that cycle of learning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Foundation director Matt Cronin said: \u201cViolence has no place in our society let alone in sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cChanging attitudes starts with education and we\u2019re proud to be giving clubs the tools and the leadership to take action,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to 75,000 participants this year, our messages will also reach an estimated 300,000 supporters and spectators over the three days of competition.\u201d<\/p>\n