The important reason Western players wore purple armbands and scrunchies in defeat to Canberra

If you tuned in to ladder-leading Western United’s 3-0 home loss to Canberra United on Saturday afternoon, the end result may not have been the only thing you noticed that was out of the ordinary.

A keen eye would have spotted each and every member of Western United’s matchday squad venturing out at City Vista Recreational Reserve sporting a purple armband – and maybe even a purple scrunchie in their hair.

A-League Women veteran and mid-season Western recruit Angie Beard gave insight to the initiative post-match, taking to Instagram to explain the club’s intent to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

“Despite not getting the three points we wanted,” wrote Beard, “the team wore purple hair scrunchies and armbands to raise awareness and support for victims of domestic abuse.”

Beard’s Instagram posts explaining the Western United initiative.

Beard also provided a list of numbers for those in need of support to contact.

Those numbers are listed as follows:

Domestic and family violence 

  • Womensline: 1800 811 811
  • Mensline: 1800 600 636
  • 1800 RESPECT: 1800 732 732

Mental health and wellbeing

  • Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • Mensline Australia: 1300 78 99 78

Children and young people

  • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
  • Headspace: 1800 650 890

READ MORE FROM SATURDAY’S LIBERTY A-LEAGUE ACTION

MATILDAS RECALL? Heyman’s message to national team selectors after breaking ‘special’ record 15 years in the making

127-GAME SCORING DROUGHT ENDS: Jets skipper bags winner in five-goal thriller

MAJOR TOP FOUR SHAKE-UP: Canberra dismantle league-leaders to ‘set up fantastic final round’

ON THE HUNT: Sydney FC move into Premiership favouritism with cruising win over Reds