Tamworth High played host to a full day of rugby league and rugby union, with girls and boys coming from around the region to advocate education and awareness of the issue of domestic violence.

Manilla Central School, Parry School, and Tamworth High took on students from Oxley High school in both boys rugby league and girls rugby union.

Tamworth High teachers Jocelyn Smith and Emma O’Connor said it was a big part of the school’s history and encouraged people to stand up.

“Today gets students together to discuss the issues of domestic violence, and allows boys and girls to have a day of fun.” Ms O’Connor said.

“It’s a big part of the school community and it brings the community together to raise awareness about domestic violence and to take a stand against it.” Ms Smith said.

Though many other schools take part in White Ribbon Day, Tamworth high is known across the area for being a strong advocate for domestic violence awareness in a bit to raise education on the matter.

The gala day offered a football feast for the crowds, with a number of games played on the afternoon.

Under 14s, under 16s and opens faced off in the boys rugby league games, while the girls matched up in junior and open graded games of union.

When asked what the day meant to the school and the students, teacher Kate McCrohon said it was a chance to encourage other schools to follow Tamworth High’s lead and educate their students.

“We’ve been running the White Ribbon program at this school longer than anyone else in Australia,” Dr McCrohon said.

“Our goal is to ultimately spread to other schools and give them strategies to do the same.

“We don’t do White Ribbon Day for just one day, we live it for the year.

"A whole year of activities have gone into this day to explain to our young kids to stand up for what you believe is right."

In the main event, the Oxley boys took out the open game in a very close 44 to 42 victory as what was described as a very hard fought game.

Dr McCrohon said the reason rugby union and league had been used to promote this day was decided by the community several years ago.

“Our school chose it to bring together the issues and we have stuck by that to this day,” she said.

“Sport is always a great way to bring the community together and to communicate to people as well as to bring a message.”