Both of them, men’s and women’s marched onto the field sporting bright red lipstick.

It was to promote Red My Lips – a cause dedicated to raising awareness of the realities and prevalence of sexual violence, as well as dispelling myths about rape and victim blaming.

Participants don red lipstick for the month of April, which is also Sexual Assault Awareness month.

When Meredith Quick, who is participating in the month-long campaign with a classmate from university, showed up for her match two weeks ago, she copped a bit of gentle ribbing from men’s coach James Dexter.

But when she explained what it was all about, it was quickly decided that the club would throw its support behind the campaign.

“James was the one who suggested the two senior teams wear the red lipstick for the game last weekend,” Ms Quick said.

“It’s really encouraging that the club is so willing to help out one player.

“One of my friends as university was going to do it, and it was really only at the last minute that I decided to join in.” 

While the display certainly garnered plenty of attention at Savoy Park, it was also an opportunity to spread the word. 

“A lot of spectators were pointing it out when we walked past as a team – obviously the boys drew a bit more attention,” Ms Quick said.

“But it also got a lot of people talking around the ground.

“People have been stopping me and asking me about it at games, which is a good thing.” 

Red My Lips is an international not-for-profit organisation whose goal is to spread the message that sexual violence cannot be blamed on victims.

“Wearing red lipstick in April allows supporters to speak out against these damaging myths and victim-blaming attitudes,” their website reads.

“It allows us all to stand in solidarity with survivors and refuse to be invisible…refuse to be silent.

“This tendency to blame, shame, and silence survivors only serves to convince others that they are wise to keep quiet, giving those who perpetrate these crimes free reign to continue doing so without consequence.”