Women fleeing domestic violence need a safe space to live, and a foundation partnership between the new Liverpool Women’s Shelter and Moorebank Sports Club will provide sanctuary for years to come.
It may be hard to believe, but community shelters in NSW which house women and children fleeing domestic violence receive limited government funding. Shelters are operated by charities which rely on dontions to meet the full cost of care.
In NSW last year, there were 24,400 incidents of domestic assault against women from April 2025 to March 2026. Seventeen women and four children were killed by either a current or former partner, or family member. In NSW, Police respond to a domestic violence incident every three minutes.
Last year, Liverpool Women’s Shelter opened to provide crisis accommodation up to 12 weeks for women seeking refuge. Just a few months ago, Sporties (Moorebank Sports Club) committed $250,000 for five years for the shelter to provide a solid financial set up. It’s an historic investment, which Sporties People, Culture and Community manager Alison Hester says the club hopes will provide a ‘really good head start’ to the shelter to succeed. “We’re hoping that that gives them security and the confidence to be able to grow,” Alison says. “We also want to encourage other organisations to get on board like we have and create some momentum of support for the shelter.”
While the funds are an enormous help, they will not be enough to operate the five-bedroom house, which is about to re-open after renovation.
Shelter chair Cheryl Macnaught says grants cannot be used for ongoing costs, so the Sporties donation will cover programs and case workers. For it is not just about giving women and children a safe place – it is also about rebuilding their lives. “The women and children walk out with nothing (from their home),” says Cheryl.
“They may not even have their own bank accounts. They’ll often come to us directly from the Department of Community Justice or the police. Our caseworkers then try and get them permanent accommodation, advocate on their behalf and put them in touch with all the services that they need.”
Cheryl says Sporties ‘are just amazing people.’ “They heard about us, and said, ‘We want to do something for domestic violence in Liverpool. We realise it’s a big problem. We know that there are not many services out there. What can we do?’ And that’s how it started.”
Sporties will not just invest money, but also organise events to raise funds and awareness, as well as contacts in their network who may offer services free, like a cleaning company.
“This is what having a club like Sporties advocate on our behalf gets us,” Cheryl states. It’s people getting involved in the community, wanting community initiatives and this is a really good, strong community initiative.”
Sporties employees at their Purple Friday event in May against domestic violence with CEO Jeff Gibbs
“Organisations can only survive long-term through the support of our community.”
Alison Hester, Sporties
Alison encourages local businesses to support the shelter in many ways, like mowing lawns or assembling furniture. “It may not just be money, it might be time, it might be a service. So hopefully us leading from the front can encourage some of our other industries, community groups or businesses within this area to get on board and help.
“Organisations like this can only survive long-term through the support of our community.”
Sporties will also train staff to help those seeking assistance at the club, as employees can often be a first port of call for those in crisis. “(Domestic violence training) gives staff an awareness of the simple things that they can do, and it’s important to understand that the staff don’t have to solve the problem,” Alison states. “It’s more about recognising the signs that somebody may need support or may be experiencing difficulties, and then having the platforms to provide other resources or refer them to services.”
The shelter provides a safe space for women and children fleeing domestic violence
Since becoming foundation partner of the shelter, with more visibility around the club of how Sporties can help those experiencing domestic violence, Alison says there has been an increase in patrons raising issues or asking for information. “It’s a safe space for them to disclose and to share and to be vulnerable,” Alison reflects. “And that’s really important to our club and making sure that our members feel like they can be supported, that there is no judgement.”
At the shelter, support extends beyond 12 weeks of accommodation, Cheryl explains. There is an outreach service provided after the women move into more permanent housing.
“We’re giving them a place to be safe, to be supported, to rest and recover, and then we’re arming them with the tools for them to make a positive move in the rest of their life.”
To support the Liverpool Women’s Shelter, go to liverpoolwomensshelter.org.au
If you need crisis accommodation, call 0477 623 270 or email referrals@liverpoolwomensshelter.org.au