Sport can be an avenue to shine a lens on a larger aspect of society, allowing difficult conversations to be had for the benefit of all.

This Saturday from 2.30pm, City Colts A grade will host a guest speaker from Zonta Club of Wangaratta to speak about violence against women as part of Zonta’s 16 Days of Activism.

After kickstarting the initiative last year, it has become a traditional part of the Colts’ season, helping the young men of the club be aware of the horrendous impact of violence against women.

City Colts president Kevin Feldtmann said it was about having these challenging conversations with the players in order to get them on the right path early.

“I think why it appealed so much to me when they [Zonta] first approached us was the age demographic of our club,” he said.

“We’re very young and very impressionable, and I think the more we can educate them, the more that we can make our members aware of issues that happen.

“It just helps them know it does happen out there, and it’s not okay.

“They’re so impressionable, they’re going well with their cricket but, as a club, we’re more than just cricket.

“It will primarily be focussed on the A grade side, but it’s something we’ve communicated out to all of our members and players, particularly the juniors and their parents.

“We’re very community-oriented, and I think that if one person walks away from the talk and gets something out of it, it’s been positive.”

The Colts will also wear orange, the colour of Zonta, to recognise the work done in standing against violence against women, and stand symbolically alongside their opponents, Beechworth, in a show of solidarity and unity.

The match itself will commence from 3.30pm, and is sure to be a spectacle.

While they haven’t posted a win so far this season, the Colts have been improving with every match.

Skipper Kent Braden said the young team was settling into the unique flows of T20 cricket.

“It’s another good one for the kids to have a crack at and see how we go,” he said.

“They’re a lot more switched on than they were in the first week.

“It’s probably not our greatest format, it’s a shame there’s not two-day cricket because I think we’d actually be pretty handy at that, but it is what it is.

“We’ll just keep having fun and see how we go.”

Braden said they would try and be more proactive with the bat against the Wanderers.

“Batting-wise, just trying to find a single, instead of trying to hit every ball for four, that’s a challenge for them,” he said.

“After the power play, we’re sort of getting that right, but during the power play we’re relying too much on boundaries and not getting a couple of easy singles here or there.

“Alasdair Brett was good last week with the bat, we were steady with the ball without being outstanding.

“Our ground fielding was good, but we dropped another four or five catches again, and at this level you just can’t afford to do that.

“They’re all pretty switched-on kids, they know where they’re falling down.

“Now it’s just about executing – if it doesn’t happen, so be it, but they’re getting better each game.”

The Colts take on Beechworth Wanderers at Bill O’Callaghan Oval from 3.30pm, after the Zonta Club of Wangaratta guest speaker at 2.30pm.