Football Star Courtney Ugle to Share Her Domestic Violence Story at Geelong Candlelight Vigil
At the upcoming Geelong Candlelight Vigil, which honors victims of family and domestic violence, football star Courtney Ugle will courageously share her own story of profound loss and personal healing. The event, scheduled for National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day on May 6, will see landmarks across Geelong illuminated in purple as a symbol of remembrance and hope.
A Childhood Shaped by Football and Family
Courtney Ugle, a proud Ballardong/Wardandi Noongar woman, grew up in Western Australia's southwest with dreams of playing football like her brother, former Collingwood player Kirk Ugle. Her talents were evident early, leading to state representation by age 16. However, behind her athletic prowess lay a childhood marked by immense challenges.
Football became her anchor during a period of severe family trauma. Both of Courtney's parents died before she turned 20, with her father lost to suicide when she was just 11. "Footy definitely saved my life; I don't know where I would have ended up but it certainly wouldn't be where I am today," Courtney reflects.
Navigating Trauma and Loss
Following her father's death, Courtney's mother Jody experienced domestic violence from multiple partners while struggling with addiction. Courtney and her three siblings often faced empty kitchen cupboards and disconnected utilities, left to fend for themselves for days at a time.
"It's hard trying to navigate those challenges when you're just a young woman, when you just want your mum to be physically and emotionally present," Courtney explains. "But we had no idea what she was going through either."
The tragedy deepened in 2016 when Jody died in a domestic violence homicide. Courtney, then 19, received the devastating news from her brother. "I will forever have a hole in my heart," she says. "I think grief changes you."
Finding Healing Through Community and Advocacy
Now 29, Courtney has transformed her pain into purpose. The VFLW star, who has played for Essendon, Western Bulldogs, and North Melbourne, has returned to football in Western Australia while founding Waangkiny, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering communities through storytelling.
Sharing her story has become a healing process for Courtney. "When you feel less alone there's great comfort in that," she notes. "I'm not the first one with a story like this and sadly I won't be the last."
The Geelong Candlelight Vigil: A Community Response
The vigil represents a collaborative effort involving multiple organizations committed to addressing family violence. Robyn Hayles, CEO of Meli, emphasizes that "prevention is a shared responsibility" requiring collective action across services and communities.
Kerriann Campbell-Jones, CEO of the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre, adds that the event provides "a place for reflection and remembrance" while reinforcing that "family violence is devastating, but it is preventable."
Football's Enduring Legacy
For Courtney, football continues to provide community and purpose beyond the field. "Footy gave me a whole new community," she says. "But I think the greatest gift footy gave me is what I've been able to do off the field."
Through her advocacy and upcoming appearance at the Geelong Candlelight Vigil, Courtney Ugle demonstrates how personal tragedy can transform into powerful advocacy, offering hope and solidarity to others affected by domestic violence.
