27 July 2022
This year's Annual Blue Ribbon Cup Match unified the Blue Ribbon volunteers, Victorian police officers and young athletes who joined the match at Narre Warren South P-12 College on 22 July 2022.
State Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP attended the match with Melbourne City Football Club represented by Narre Warren South P-12 College students in an exhibition match against members of Victoria Police.
The Cup is a way to recognise the ultimate sacrifice made by every Victorian police member who has died in the line of duty and gives all attendees a chance to recognise and appreciate the work of the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a volunteer based organisation offering financial support to community projects in Victoria to perpetuate the memory of fallen police officers.
The Cup’s Best on Ground Award is named in memory of Senior Constable Tony Clarke, an avid football supporter, husband and father, who was murdered after a routine traffic stop to administer a preliminary breath test in Launching Place in the early hours of Sunday 24th April 2005.
Senior Constable Clarke was a dedicated police member who was highly regarded by his colleagues and superiors. Tony was an active Victoria Police Soccer Club playing member and an avid Liverpool supporter.
The Victorian Government has annually provided $20,000 to the Blue Ribbon Foundation as a Silver Partner Sponsorship for Blue Ribbon Day, and provided additional support during the Victorian Bushfires, COVID-19 pandemic and police tragedies and memorial services.
The Victoria Police In Schools Model provides a framework for delivering police activities to schools, ensuring focused programs are provided to promote community safety and addressing the detriments of harm.
Delivery of the Model will involve staff from across Victoria Police and the Priority and Safer Communities Division has established an online Schools Engagement Model Hub featuring resources and links to existing training packages.
Quotes attributable to Member for Narre Warren South, Gary Maas MP:
“The Blue Ribbon Cup was a great day and a great opportunity to grow the connection between Victoria Police and the community here in Narre Warren South and the wider South East.”
“The event recognises the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation for its tireless work and support of Victoria Police members and their families, and for the projects it delivers for the community.”
“It was great to see the competition and comradery out there on the pitch. Having Melbourne City FC base themselves in the South East is great for the game and our community.”